e-string wrote:
If it takes extra knowledge/effort to make a short model look tall, many photographers will just take the easier route and use tall models. It also has to do with clothing designers and their sample sizes.

first off I'm not referring to clothing model as you can see I do artistic nudes. We all know runway fashion you have to be tall. I'm talking about projects to where height don't matter.

e-string wrote:
If it takes extra knowledge/effort to make a short model look tall, many photographers will just take the easier route and use tall models. It also has to do with clothing designers and their sample sizes.

first off I'm not referring to clothing model as you can see I do artistic nudes. We all know runway fashion you have to be tall. I'm talking about projects to where height don't matter.


P.S its not that hard to make a model look tall its a matter of common sense.

Darkdesire wrote:

first off I'm not referring to clothing model as you can see I do artistic nudes. We all know runway fashion you have to be tall. I'm talking about projects to where height don't matter.


P.S its not that hard to make a model look tall its a matter of common sense.

I didn't look at your portfolio.

I didn't say it's hard. I said they cut that extra step simply because they can.

SayCheeZ! wrote:
I just got done answering the same question that someone asked me via private e-mail.  Here's a copy of my reply:


To tell you the truth, almost every model and photographer on internet forums has the common misconception that a model must be tall and slender to be successful.

In reality, those people are generally very wrong. To say that a person can't be a model because they're too this or too that is the same as saying that an actor must be tall and slender to be successful.

Just like actors, models are needed in practically all shapes, sizes, and ages.

One of the most successful models that I know is not only VERY short (about 5'0" or less), but she's also lucky if she can fit into an 'A' cup, and she's now in her 40's.

Much of her success comes from using her mind. She's an excellent public speaker, and can act like she's an expert on practically any product or service that she's promoting. Her petite stature is an boom to her success. Smaller people are OFTEN used in major advertisements, because they make the product they're promoting look larger! Small models are OFTEN used in ads for airlines, furniture, hotels, restaurants, and car companies.

You make an excellent point, and I think you realize what I am meaning. I mean if you have work with short models you would understand. Yes its a models responsibility to chose who camera we will be in front of, but shouldn't a photographer do the same much less not pose us in postions that us models know won't look good on us?

Treagen Kier wrote:
Everyone with a camera isn't a photographer, and every photographer isn't a good one, it's up to you/models to select good photographers that can flatter you and your body type, be it thin, thick, short, tall.

as well, every model doesn't fit every photographers range, again, that's where a model needs to take responsibility for who's camera she's in front of. A bad image can cost you work...$$

BINGO!!!!!

Shawn Ray wrote:
That's an age old question.  The answer is.... we don't make the rules.  Some will say there are no rules.  This is simply not true in the fashion world.  Some of the MOST beautiful women I have shot were short... very short.  Will they get work?  None to speak of.  They may land a few small jobs here and there, but to have a career, it just won't happen,(if we are talking fashion).  The models have to fit the clothing, not the clothing to the model.  The designers send one size called a sample size.  Guess what size the clothing is.  Made to fit, roughly, a woman that is 5'8" to 5'11", size 2 to 4.  This is an industry standard.  So, no matter how low to the ground we get, to make you appear taller, we still have to hire the industry standard model.

Your rigth I won't argue there, but as far as fashion no I knowI can't do that!

Darkdesire wrote:

first off I'm not referring to clothing model as you can see I do artistic nudes. We all know runway fashion you have to be tall. I'm talking about projects to where height don't matter.


P.S its not that hard to make a model look tall its a matter of common sense.

I understand what you are trying to say, but you are 4'11".  It will be a bit harder than you think to make you look tall.  We might be able to make you a bit taller.

Shawn Ray wrote:

I understand what you are trying to say, but you are 4'11".  It will be a bit harder than you think to make you look tall.  We might be able to make you a bit taller.

Your are right, and wrong! Some of my photographers don't work hard at all to make me look taller, but I'm talking about making me look 5'9 or anything like that. Yes I am 4'11 I have no shame in it I'm proud of it. I find it to be an advantage and disadvantage.

SayCheeZ! wrote:
One of the most successful models that I know is not only VERY short (about 5'0" or less), but she's also lucky if she can fit into an 'A' cup, and she's now in her 40's.

O.K.
.....I'll bite

Who is this person.....I'm curious!

Tzalam wrote:
about 23 years ago i took my first full legth baithing suit shot in a studio and i was standing up
after i saw the results and got my ass kicked by my mentor at the time
I never had the camera above pupik level (belly button level)
I have shot many 5 ft nothing models as long as they got good proportions
I'll squirm on the floor for an hour to make them look right

Ha......Told U So!!!

Lost Coast Photo wrote:
Height matters a lot for runway fashion, because the model needs to fit the clothes.  Outside of that, it depends.  I'll let others speak for their own areas of expertise, but for the art shooting that I do... and admittedly I'm not at all typical of people on this site...  I don't care if a model is 5'0" or 6'0" and actually I prefer to work with a diverse array of heights and body types.  I'd get bored if every model looked the same.  Example:  My last two shoots were with models of average height, one thin with almost no curves, one a competitive bodybuilder with curves and muscle to spare.  That, for me, is a fun day.

I guess I'm interested in things way beyond the superficialities of making someone look tall or short.  If that's all that mattered, any old mannequin would do.  It's emotion, energy, passion, intangibles that bring an image to life.  Like anyone, I have my personal bias, but am willing to work with a wider range.  I can't really describe what I look for, but know it when I see it.

Ok not runway fashion I'm speaking artistic images, commericial or so on anything but fashion or Runway!!!!!!!!

Mikes Images wrote:
What many photographers haven't realized is that generally, the correct camera position for any model is to have the camera's lens half way between the head and the feet...or about waist high.  That means, either the model is on an elevated platform, or the photographer is on his knees.  That is so that the film plane (it's really the same in digital...just not technically a "film" plane) is plano-parallel to the subject.  If it's plano-parallel then the camera is neither tilted up or down and nothing is distorted.

If a 4'11" model is photographed by a standing photographer who is 6' tall and who holds the camera at eye level, the model is going to look short as hell, her head will appear large, her feet tiny, and if that's what the photographer wants, that's fine.

Shorter models shot solo, can be made to appear taller by shooting upwards, but, those models need to realize that, unless they are particularly fond of their nostrils, they need to keep their chin down.

Height is just one issue.  A photographer working in a studio has control over absolutely everything.  Some people have a good side and a better side.  Some look best with short-side lighting, some butterfly lighting, some broad-side lighting.  This has to do with the shape of the model's face and/or how the hair is done.  Some types of lighting make model's noses appear huge, or make the model's face look very wide.  So far, I'm just talking head-shots.  The same things hold true for the rest of the body.  With the right lighting, I can put cleavage on a board....been there...done that...well..figuratively speaking.  :-)

Photographers simply need to learn how to make the person in front of them look as good as they can.  It's an art and a learned skill.  It can be taught and it can be learned. Experience is the best teacher for both models and photographers.

Yes yes...finally some freaking gets it!!! You could not be more right however I don't think many people who claim to be professional photographers realize any of this crap!!

J Schumacher wrote:
I, for one, prefer short models.

aren't you a sweetheart!

Darkdesire wrote:
my perspective is a lot of photographers do not know how to make us petite models look tall.

I'm going to be honest... at 4'11", it's going to be difficult to make you "look tall".  Yes, a photographer can crawl around low to the ground, but that blows the perspective on your face.  There's a point where the perspective ratio is blown.

Darkdesire wrote:
I just think people need to realize how versatile a model can be!

Good models - those that are versatile - can be hard to come by.

Darkdesire wrote:
I have shot some of those twigs, and I hate the fact they have no curves!

Great curves are wonderful - but often come with a price.  Women with perfect curves know that those curves are a commodity, so they price themselves out of the reach of most amateurs.

Darkdesire wrote:
Mikes Images wrote:
What many photographers haven't realized is that generally, the correct camera position for any model is to have the camera's lens half way between the head and the feet...or about waist high.  That means, either the model is on an elevated platform, or the photographer is on his knees.  That is so that the film plane (it's really the same in digital...just not technically a "film" plane) is plano-parallel to the subject.  If it's plano-parallel then the camera is neither tilted up or down and nothing is distorted.

If a 4'11" model is photographed by a standing photographer who is 6' tall and who holds the camera at eye level, the model is going to look short as hell, her head will appear large, her feet tiny, and if that's what the photographer wants, that's fine.

Shorter models shot solo, can be made to appear taller by shooting upwards, but, those models need to realize that, unless they are particularly fond of their nostrils, they need to keep their chin down.

Height is just one issue.  A photographer working in a studio has control over absolutely everything.  Some people have a good side and a better side.  Some look best with short-side lighting, some butterfly lighting, some broad-side lighting.  This has to do with the shape of the model's face and/or how the hair is done.  Some types of lighting make model's noses appear huge, or make the model's face look very wide.  So far, I'm just talking head-shots.  The same things hold true for the rest of the body.  With the right lighting, I can put cleavage on a board....been there...done that...well..figuratively speaking.  :-)

Photographers simply need to learn how to make the person in front of them look as good as they can.  It's an art and a learned skill.  It can be taught and it can be learned. Experience is the best teacher for both models and photographers.




Yes yes...finally some freaking gets it!!! You could not be more right however I don't think many people who claim to be professional photographers realize any of this crap!!

Isn't that what I said earlier.....where's my Kudos? (*sobs)

Darkdesire wrote:
Ok not runway fashion I'm speaking artistic images, commericial or so on anything but fashion or Runway!!!!!!!!

Sorry, but no angle is going to make you look significantly taller. You're the height of a child...

Generally, if you're really skinny, it will make you look a bit taller. But in your case, it still may not work, because it would add to the child look...

Iris Swope wrote:



Sorry, but no angle is going to make you look significantly taller. You're the height of a child...

so what if I'm th height of a chile, no offense but if you know your angels you would realize any model can look taller I'm not speaking of runway or anything if you read the post!

Iris Swope wrote:



Sorry, but no angle is going to make you look significantly taller. You're the height of a child...

.....not true!

Darkdesire wrote:
Ok so I get this email tonight saying that a photographer gets his best work from tall thin models. Understood, but my perspective is a lot of photographers do not know how to make us petite models look tall. I have had many photographers make me look shorter then what I am, and with that said I have had some awesome ones that were wiiling to get down on the ground and make me look tall. No offense to models who are thin or tall. I just think people need to realize how versatile a model can be!! As far as weight goes I do photographery as well I have shot some of those twigs, and I hate the fact they have no curves!! What is your opinion on this as photograper or model??

Were you looking to work w/ him before this email?

Farenell Photography wrote:

Were you looking to work w/ him before this email?

actually I worked with him once before. I was wanting to work with him again. He is a photographer that concentrates on artistic nudes.

Darkdesire wrote:
so what if I'm th height of a chile, no offense but if you know your angels you would realize any model can look taller I'm not speaking of runway or anything if you read the post!

I did read the entire post...every single one....

That picture...was shot from the entire wrong angle to give you any height at all... it gave you midget arms!

And as for commercial work. The clothes won't fit, and you'd be atleast 6 inches shorter than most other models...