Photo Convention

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Photography on September 29, 2010

Hands on Workshop

Hands on Workshop

There is always something new to learn and if you find you are no longer getting much out of conventions for amateur photographers, maybe it is time to move up to the professional circuit. I’ve just spent the weekend at Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet, taking part in Island Quest. Part of the Professional Photographers of BC lecture series. Several first class lectures and hands on workshop, lead by professional photographers. Using fill flash balanced with daylight.

Hands on workshop.

Hands on workshop.

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Models Wanted!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Make Up Artist, Modeling on September 20, 2010

I am always interested in hearing from new models and make-up artist too. I always have personal projects in mind and test shoots to try new ideas or techniques. I am willing to work time for prints on occasion with certain models. You will get high quality prints for your portfolio or web ready jpeg files in return for your time and a signed model release form. If I feel a model has genuine prospects in the modeling world I will do what I can to promote them and point them in the right direction.

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Almost ideal!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Photography on September 18, 2010

Bridge removedBefore

Sometimes you find the perfect model, great make up and a great outfit. You are off and running, now all you need is the right location. The weather is being kind to you and there it is, the perfect Gazibo. Just right to show off this fashion outfit. It may only be later when you are preparing to print that you see this big gray monster of a concrete bridge in the background. Enter Photoshop and several hours of your time. Life is never easy, but sometimes the effort is more than worth while.

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My Studio

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in General on September 12, 2010

Finally, my studio is back up and running. No more water running down the wall, not even in the heavy rain we had the other day. The wall is back on, the lights are up and I’m ready to shoot.

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Vital Statistics

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on August 22, 2010

It is very important that you get this right. On your Comp Card, modeling sites or at an agency, it is one of the first things that people will look at when they are seeking a model. A head shot, a full length shot and your vital statistics. If your vital statistics don’t match what they are looking for they will pass you by, which is fine, unless of course you have them wrong, in which case you have just missed a modeling opportunity.
 
Worse still, if they do seem to match and they like your look, when they ask you to come in and see that your size is not what they were expecting they will dismiss you, think that you are just wasting their time and not bother to ever ask you back. Likewise it is no good adding an inch to your height or subtracting an inch from your waste. They are use to assessing peoples looks and figures, you will likely be just one of several models they will be looking at and if the other models are much different in size and shape to you, it will stick out like a sore thumb.
 
Carefully measure your bust, including your breast. Measure your waist at it’s smallest point, but don’t force it by sucking in your breath and finally measure your hips at their fullest point. You should be looking at measurements in the range of 34-26-34 plus or minus a few inches. (32-24-32, 36-27-36) If your proportions are in this sort of range that is fine. If your bust and hip sizes are wildly different or your waist is not about 10 inches less than this double check your measurements.
 
Also, be very close on your height, within half an inch at least, measured in your bare feet. There is no point in adding to your height it will be noticed. And likewise measure you weight accurately. Your weight is just a general guide, muscle is heavy and can very well give you a better shape than a that of a lighter counterpart.
 
Finally, don’t be surprised if an agency measures around your wrist or ankle. This is something they will often do to get a better idea of your body mass, your fat to muscle ratio. Be straight forward and honest about your size there is nothing to be gain by fudging your measurement.

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Testing and Go Sees!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on August 13, 2010

Testing. You may have the perfect look for a model but if you can’t project yourself in front of a camera you are not going to find any work. If an agent thinks that you have potential their first step is often to send you to a photographer to do test shots. This may happen a couple of times to see how you work in front of the camera. The photographer will not only send the agent the photographs but also a report on how he found you to work with. Were you prompt, professional etc. The result may mean the difference between getting signed or not. Photographers and editors may also do test shoots before committing to working with a model. Although these are not paid, you should be able to get some pictures for your portfolio.
 
Go Sees. Unless you are an internationally known model you will be sent to go sees. Whether it is for a fashion show on the catwalk, editorial pages for a magazine or a photo shoot for a catalogue, in fact almost any modeling at all, you will be ask to attend a go see. If you are sent to Paris or Milan on a contract a lot of your time will be spent going to go sees. This is not paid time and very often you will not be what they are looking for at this time, don’t take it personally. Let it go and head for the next go see. It is not glamourous, it is time consuming and hard work, but it is the way that you are going to get your name and face in front of the right people. Do not expect an agent or a manager to do all of the work for you.

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So what is TFP?

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on August 10, 2010

If you are new to modeling and don’t have a established portfolio or “Book” as it is known in modeling circles, you will need to develop one. Nobody is likely to book you for a paying job unless they have the proof that you can carry out the job successfully. In other words, they want to see that you have done something similar on a professional level before they will hire you. This is fully understandable. If they are being paid for the shoot they must satisfy their client or they will not get another job. Even if it is just for their own book they maybe employing a makeup artist or booking time in a studio.
 
You could go to a studio and book a photographer to do pictures for you. This is an expensive option, the photographers time and skills and equipment as well as studio time and a makeup artist time. Expect to pay hundreds of dollars. So before going this route, make sure that you view a sizable body of the photographers work and that you are happy that they will be able to produces pictures that you will not only like, but that you will be able to use. There are many photographers out there, all to ready to take your money for very little in return.
 
So what are the alternatives? Look for a photographer who is willing to work with you on a time for prints ( TFP ) arrangement and or time for files on a compact disk. ( TFCD )  You still want to be sure that you like their work and that you are going to be happy with the results, but this time if you don’t get the results that you need all you have wasted is you time.
 
Be sure of exactly what you are going to get for your efforts and do the usual background checks etc. Always take someone with you, always! You will not only get the start of a modeling portfolio, you will also gain valuable experience. There is far more to modeling than just showing up, so be prepared to work at this. It won’t happen overnight.
 
You may very well be required to sign a model release. If so read it through carefully, take it home with you and read it at your leisure, don’t be rushed into sign it.. This allows the photographer the full use of the photographers created, but once a release is signed you will have no say in the use of your image. And likely no recourse should you disapprove of the final use of these pictures. More about model releases at a future time.

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Shortcuts!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in General on August 4, 2010

In photography as in life the only real shortcut is to do it right the first time!

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The Make Up Artist!

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Make Up Artist, Photography on August 2, 2010

Before

Before

After

After

Never underestimate the value of a good make up artist. Many photographers behave as if they have been stuck with a younger sibling for the day. When all they want is to go out and play. But make up is so much more than just a lick of paint.

Yes the application of make up will enhance the look of any young women, but it is so much more than this. As a model sees the look they are trying to achieve develop, she begins to feel glamorous. She feels pampered and special, her confidence begins to grow.

 

By the time she is ready for the shoot the hardest part of your work is done. If you are ready with your camera and can take control of the lighting, you are well on your way toward a successful shoot.

Never forget to credit the make up artist for her part in the shoot. If you are paying her fine, but don’t be slow in giving her a copy of your best shot of the day. If you put your name on the bottom of the picture and she adds it to her portfolio, many other potential models will see your work.

Also add a sample of her work on your web site along with a link to her site. Then ask her to do the same for you, it builds traffic for both of you.

Lenny’s make up was created by Racquel Lacson.

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Model Safe

Posted by Colin Mac Arthur in Modeling on July 29, 2010

Just because he tells a good story or shows you a few good pictures, it doesn’t mean it is safe. If you are thinking, it won’t happen to me, you are putting yourself into a high risk group.

Model, but model safe.

Always find out who you are going to be modeling for. Get a home phone number not just a cell number. Check for the name and address in the phone book or do a reverse look up of the number online at the local phone companies web site.

Does this person have a web site? If it is their own domain name go to whois and check that the information they give agrees with the registration for that domain.

Ask for references. Who else have they photographed? Phone and ask, what are they like to work with? Would you work with them again?

Find out if the photographer intends to use a makeup artist. Who is it? Get a number and phone to confirm that they are booked to work with you.

Does the photographer have a membership with an online modeling group, like One Model Place or Model Mayhem. Check their profiles, check their work, look to see if there are any bad reports filed against them. Does the photographer have a membership with a professional body?

Finally, always find out exactly what it is you are going to be shooting and always take a companion with you. Make sure that the photographer knows well in advance that you bring someone to all of your photo shoots.

Never take a partner, it will be the end of you relationship or the end of your modeling career. Find a supportive girl friend or take your mother with you. In fact if you are under eighteen always take your mother.

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