There are a lot of new models out there who have difficulty posing or emoting properly - some may feel self-conscious, others just don't have enough control of their bodies or facial muscles to do it properly. What do you think is the best way for new models to learn?
First, I think that practicing in the mirror is fairly useless for new models, just because you become too dependent on it. If an experienced model uses a mirror to quickly check a pose, she'll be able to replicated it without needing the mirror thanks to practice, but a new model will need to check herself, and without the crutch of a mirror a lot of models find it difficult to just trust their own bodies. Putting mirrors in the studio during a shoot just moves the model's focus and poses from the camera to the mirror, which won't help the images.
I think that the best ways for new models to learn are by getting a friend (or self timer) to take photographs of them, so they're used to the angles and movements they need to play with to get decent images. I also think it can be beneficial to shoot with a more experienced model to follow her lead, watch how she moves from pose to pose and generally interacts with the camera. There are lots of youtube videos of shoots that can help with this.
So what do you think? What would you recommend for a new model? What do you think is the best way for a new model to learn?
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I think self portraits are better because then the social pressure of being around friends isn't there. Also videos of shoots and staring long and hard at poses of models you admire; why does this pose work?
ReplyDeleteI think it would help to find photographers who are happy to help you learn. Some photographers are very guarded about letting models see the back of the camera, or preview the shots on the computer. If you're a new model that can be really helpful though - I did some headshots with an agency signed model and she kept leaving her eyes half closed. Showing her what it looked like immediately persuaded her to stop doing that! Decent photographers can also help with advice about lights - like what a main light is and what that means for posing.
ReplyDeleteThere are also some things which are a complete waste of time - there are group shoots where the model poses and a bunch of idiots in a pack jostle for position while trying to take photos. No-one is going to get any decent shots and the model can't learn anything useful.
I'm not sure I as a photographer could advise models per se, but can probably give some pointers on the fly, I have always been 50/50 on the mirror thing hand have tried it in the studio and it doesn't really work for the reasons mentioned in this post.
ReplyDeleteI recently saw a thread where a new model was asking to attend a shoot with a more experienced model, to observe and maybe get a few shots alone or with the model, I think this could work well if all parties were agreeable, I certainly wouldn't have a problem with that in most situations, especially with a model that I knew well/had worked with a fair bit, not sure it would work so well if doing a first shoot with a model with a new model attending!? As I personally like to build on a working relationship, and the first shoot is often a kind of get to know how one another works kind of thing. But maybe that's just my way.
Group shoots can be good for a new model, but only if they are well organised with one on one shooting slots, or it can end up being a free for all mess as Dan said.
Biggest problem i think new models have is inhibition. Sometimes you can practically see the cogs turning, the expression saying: "does this look ok", "how's this" etc.
ReplyDeleteThey are not aware that the camera picks up on the slightest nuance of expression and body language.
One of the most respected bookers (if that's the right term) once said that to be a great model, she has to learn abandon, and to trust the photographer.
He's the one who is responsible for seeing the image, for the capture.
OIf a model tries to learn poses off by heart, all you get is a mechanical repetition of stuff that has been seen a million times before. It is stale before the shutter clicks.
So my advice would be to actually get into the modelling. Forget about "making it", forget about the exposure, about being published and about being paid. So many models seem to have as their aim to arrive ten seconds after they start.
Find a local photographer you get along with and whose work is ok, and put in hours and hours of practice. Forget the foul ups, the duff pics,don't worry about getting it "right" and above all stop worrying about getting it wrong.
Hire a decent photographer who has gotten proven results - they'll learn more in that studio time than any number of pointless TF shoots and sessions spent gurning in the mirror trying to conjour up emotions...
ReplyDeleteTrue fact :)
I agree, no mirror as it takes the model from the camera to the mirrors. I feel one of the best ways is to find a photographer who has a great deal of full body shots in his portfolio and work with him/her on a TF until the model is able to do the posing automatically. A good photographer will know how to direct the model. It is what I do will I find a model that has everything I'm looking for but cannot pose.
ReplyDeleteWhy not have a mentoring system where an experienced model have a shoot with a good tog and give tips to new model.
ReplyDeleteAlso offers advice on other things too which a new model might need to know.
D Traynor
From my perspective as a photographer posing is the least important issue. After all I am claiming copyright of the images so I ought to have some notion of what I am after before the shoot starts!
ReplyDeleteThe biggest barrier to many models progressing seems to be a complete lack of any business sense. There seems to be this idea that all you need to do is shove up a profile on some site and the work will come flooding in with no effort from the models part!
Models can book Madame Bink for 1-1 tuition through Team Binkertson = http://binkertson.com/?page_id=76
ReplyDelete