Lens N Light wrote:
Why do you care?

Cause I'd like to see more professional looking imagery.  It isn't that these girls/guys can't get the images to improve their portfolios - Look at how many photographers are on here.  And how many, myself included work for TFP/CD.

And how many people comment on GWC's or all of the girls with cameraphone, lo-res pics who are thinking they can charge money?  Granted, time will weed them out.. but, still.

I guess, my question should have been why bother having an approval system in place if the quality that is being accepted is so bad to begin with?

Saryn Angel wrote:
So I know that this site is more for fun than really finding a professional connection.

I believe you just answered your own question

And how many people comment on GWC's or all of the girls with cameraphone, lo-res pics who are thinking they can charge money?  Granted, time will weed them out.. but, still.

That's valid.

Saryn Angel wrote:
Yes, they do have to start somewhere. But like I said - photographers who do fairly good quality work are a dime a dozen. That doesn't mean that they are great photographers - just that they have abilities and can do better than snapshots.

Hell, students who are studying are always looking for subjects.

I would never put a photo up that I didn't feel was a quality image - all the way around - lighting, background, crop, etc.   Even when I first started..


There are tons of places to get a start.   I work with people I meet at clubs, sometimes on the street, friends and places like Myspace..

Who is to decide?  Well - the quality should be better than fuzzy/grainy/out of focus.  Even if it is just a snap shot of the model's face, profile and body shots...

I guess that what I'm saying is that there are several ports on here that look like a myspace profile gone bad.... and this seems to be a place where the quality should be much better.

I agree with your sentiment, but as you say, where is the line drawn? What about people such as myself who joined this site to gain some perspective and tips to improve their photography skills? Would I have to meet a certain threshold in order to be able to interact with the people here?

While it may seem unbalanced, I think my original stance works best. Models could start with a few snapshots but photographers should not be able to get away with them. I don't think any cell phone shots should be accepted.

Rick Jolly wrote:
I also see many, many photographers leaving comments on how great these awful cell phone pics in the mirror are.

True, but I've made some compliments similar to that, but the compliment was directed at the model, not the quality of the photo. I was judging their modeling potential as best I could, not the quality of the image. It's not much different than an agency or magazine making an initial recruiting decision based on a couple polaroids.

However, to compliment the photograph itself would be poor form.

take care,
Glen

Maxim wrote:
As a photographer, I'd much rather see a clear, raw snapshot of a model rather than a glossed up image. It gives me a better idea of a model's versatility. I ask for a snapshot like that, whether or not the model has professional images. Lack of them does not bother me at all and it should not bother you either -- you are not the client, you are the photographer.

What does bother me, however, is if the snapshots are some family pictures with boyfriends in them and not actually single images of the model purposed for her promotion.

Now the model's attitude and character presentation is a whole different story.

I agree with what you are saying... And understand what many are responding to with this... which is why I posted in the first place - conversation to clarify in my head what others thought.



I think if the photos are used here they need to show a genuine desire to begin modeling and should SHOW that - not just "oh, that picture is cute of me... I'll post it..."

I'm not sure what the criteria should be - I know there are a lot of people out there who think my work is horrible because my lighting isn't traditional...

I know it comes across that I'm judging ports - but, I'm not really. I'm just questioning what the criteria for ports are here.

Overall, the majority of the ports that I see are high quality. And very enjoyable.

Ched wrote:
We're hoping they improve. If the pictures are bad we look at the bio for intentions.

We normally demand that we at least be able to see what a model looks like.

Ideally new users with a weak portfolio would have a re-review after 4 months or something, but we're running close to the bone on resources as it is, and Tyler and Ken already have enough other issues to worry about (like getting the new credit card system in place so we can have more servers and upgrading the internal messaging system).

(moderator)

What if members could volunteer to be the ones to do the reviewing, thus taking the work off your hands? Obviously you would approve or reject those who want to do it based on their objectivity, knowledge of the field, etc.

e-string wrote:
What if members could volunteer to be the ones to do the reviewing, thus taking the work off your hands? Obviously you would approve or reject those who want to do it based on their objectivity, knowledge of the field, etc.

Well, that's what moderators do. All unpaid volunteers, we're regular members with the web site equivalent of gardening tools. We can't change major things, we just pull, clean, and move.

Saryn Angel wrote:
Ok.

So I know that this site is more for fun than really finding a professional connection.

However.

I'd like to think that it is more than myspace....

I've been browsing portfolios and see a lot of great looking models.  However, there are a number of portfolios that consist of snapshots, camera phone pix and not a single professional quality image.

I want to know why these get approved for membership?  I've been doing photography for a very long time - well before MM came around. I understand the need for models to get out there - but why would you set up an account here and not even have ONE professional (looking) photo in your port? 

How many times do you run into a person and start chatting only to find out that they are a "photographer" too!

This is not exclusively towards models - I've seen photographer ports that are almost as bad - ie. gwc's...

I think that the ports should have at least quality looking images to be approved... ie, not pixelated,  not shots done by club photographers at the local night club, etc.

So what constitutes "professional" looking photographs?  Would you define it as those inwhich both the subject matter and the quality is of commercial use level (one you would see in a major publication or ad campaign)?  Or would it be one that you could see hanging in a respected gallery being sold to collectors?  Or would it simply be one inwhich the photographer has a basic understanding of exposure where, let's say, when taking a picture of a couple in the outdoors, both the couple and the grass behind them are properly exposed?

If you want to be a member of a internet community which approves members images prior to publishing, there are plenty of "professional" organizations out there for you to join.  Just remember, they will be just as hard on your portfolio as you seem to want MM to be on it's members.

Saryn Angel wrote:
I've been browsing portfolios and see a lot of great looking models.  However, there are a number of portfolios that consist of snapshots, camera phone pix and not a single professional quality image.

I think that the ports should have at least quality looking images to be approved... ie, not pixelated,  not shots done by club photographers at the local night club, etc.

I don't have a problem with snapshots!

I consider it even an artform if you can make a fully staged shot look like a snapshot.

NATASHA MIKHAIL wrote:
Speaking on a personal note... a lot of models trying to get in the game can't due to low funds.. As myself.... I started on here with 20 at home photos.... once everyone saw I needed help establishing professional pictures I started getting TFP offers... now I'm on my 4th shoot and thankfully have "professional" pictures to post in my port.... I think ur right as far as saying this place should b more than myspace is,but I don't see how u can question at home photos.... its common sense... they're new... once someone takes an interest in their at home pics,they'll start hopefully getting opportunities to upgrade the photos they already have....

a perfect answer to a very snobby question.

Tony Lawrence wrote:
Many that are new don't have any ideal of whats good or may not have the
money to pay for better images.  They post what they have and hopefully
improve as time goes.  Some do, some don't.  MM is a mix of pro, hobbyists
and those in between.

I totally agree...

digital Artform wrote:
Saryn -

A model with great potential and bad pictures?

Isn't that an opportunity for both of you?

Ditto

Cristina Ashley wrote:
But there is a big difference between a snapshot and a 'myspace shot'...

Girls who start their profile with 20 images that would make them famous on myspace  that are used to make them look 'hot' or 'creative' don't deserve to be taken seriously.

Girls need to realize that putting up 20 pictures and not having even one professional one, makes them look like a joke. Or even having 20 'okay' professional pictures from the same shoot just shouldn't happen either.

My port isn't great. I only have I think 2 strong shots, plus my snapshot. I've done more  shoots than I have shown on here. But I don't think it was my best work so i'm not going to put it up 'just because'. Girls should learn its quality, not quantity. And that should be drilled into them when they are trying to get into the 'business' (which i'm really not by the way, its just fun for me).

You're right though, everyone has to start somewhere....so someone needs to tell the girls with no professional pics, to be as PROFESSIONAL looking as they can, by taking SIMPLE clear snapshots. And you really only need 4-6....Headshot, profile, Full length, 3/4 straight on + profile...and so on.

Here's examples of what my previous post was implying....

This shot is what I would consider a 'myspace' shot....sure it shows what I look like, I have only mascara and some eyeliner on...but would I put it on as a start up pic for MM? NO. Even though I see shots like this all the time.


This is what I used when I started up on MM and yes I still have it in my port (although my hair has changed so I do need a new one). This is what I think models should put in their ports when there first starting as opposed to the first picture showed. Sure I have some blemishes and you can see my imperfections, but I have no makeup on so it's only expected that I don't look perfect. (And I even think this isn't the best example because my arm is in it)


Sure...both show what I look like. But if someone can sit there and take all of these different angled shots and have all these different snap shots in their 'port' why can't they just take the simple shots that any agency/photograher would look for in the first place?

Sometimes I think keeping it simple would benefit these girls more! I don't know everything but sometimes I just have to laugh at the approach some girls take.

FosbreStudios wrote:
One thing I can't stand is the new models....pretty much around the age 18, they "over pucker" their lips..they trying to look like thugs or gangstas are something.... I stay away from the over puckered models..they just look silly.  LOL

Didn't you know puckered lips are sexy?

Cristina Ashley wrote:

Didn't you know puckered lips are sexy?

It is , if the model looks sexy doing it..i've seen some really bad pucker jobs...LOL
The look, llike they "think they're bad" look.

Jason McKendricks wrote:

I agree with your sentiment, but as you say, where is the line drawn? What about people such as myself who joined this site to gain some perspective and tips to improve their photography skills? Would I have to meet a certain threshold in order to be able to interact with the people here?

While it may seem unbalanced, I think my original stance works best. Models could start with a few snapshots but photographers should not be able to get away with them. I don't think any cell phone shots should be accepted.

I draw the line at 60 days..

If you cant get some decent images done in two months you are not serious and should not have joined.

IMH "nobody cares" O

:-)