Friday, December 5, 2014

10 ways to stay in business

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Don’t Put a Target on Your Back!

Technorati Tags: disclaimer,professional,postings,comments,photographs,rights,copyrights,social media,information,ramblings,legal standing,nonsense,photographer,model

It appears that we are entering another apparently annual round of people worrying about their copyrights, and rights to their profiles, postings and comments they post on the internet, especially on various social media sites they may belong to.

In response, they seem to rely on one or both of the following stock “Legal Notices” they find on the internet, to try and guarantee protection against photo, and or profile theft:

Today, (Month, Day, Year) in response to the Facebook (or other social media site) guidelines and under articles L.111, 112 and 113 of the code of intellectual property, I declare that my rights are attached to all my personal data, drawings, paintings, photos, texts etc... published on my profile. For commercial use of the foregoing my written consent is required at all times.
Those reading this text can copy it and paste it on their Facebook (or other social media site) wall. This will allow them to place themselves under the protection of copyright. By this release, I tell Facebook (or other social media site) that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, broadcast, or to take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents.
The actions mentioned above apply equally to employees, students, agents and/or other staff under the direction of Facebook (or other social media site). The contents of my profile includes private information.

Facebook is now an open capital entity.

All members are invited to post a notice of this kind, or if you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you have not published this statement at least once, you will tacitly allow the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in your profile

I declare that I own full rights to my profile, as well as all information and pictures appearing in conjunction with my site ID and Profile. I will fully prosecute my rights, in relation to anybody misusing those rights, especially students of (particular) University to use any of that information or pictures in their studies or coursework.

…or words similar to these.

Like the vast majority of disclaimers, these and similar legal sounding ramblings are useless with no legal standing, or added protection to your rights.

Note that there are several things which should raise questions about the indiscriminate use of these notices.

It seems that the only country to have a “code of intellectual property” is France, so how would that be relevant to Australia, or America, (where most of the social media sites seem to be located)
What is an ”open capital entity”?
Why are you expressly instructed to not “share” the notice, but specifically “copy and paste it”?
Why do you need to specifically post a dodgy sounding, pseudo legalistic notice to place you under copyright protection, when you are already fully protected under Facebook’s, or any other site’s terms and agreements, and more importantly Australia's ( or any other nation’s) Copyright Law.

It seems to me …and I am not a lawyer, but I do have a decent working knowledge of Copyright…that at best this is just some useless nonsense, made up at some stage by some paranoid “bush lawyer”

Most likely though it seems to scream

“IAM A COMPLETE PRATT!”

“I do not understand copyright, and I have not read or understood the Terms and Conditions of the site I am a member of.”

“So feel free to steal my pictures, my postings, or my complete profile”

But above all, if the poster claims to be a professional photographer, model or in any other arts related field, I would regard their professionalism with the contempt it deserves.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

A Modern Chronicle of the Knights of the Creatively Challenged

Sunday, August 3, 2014

10 Ways to Improve your Photography


A wink is as good as a nod.

Increase your Credibility

Appear More Professional

and become trooley awesome!

To be taken with a grain of salt, and a dash of vitriol.

NUMBER 1: stop pilfering other people's works for “inspiration”, because they are so awesome, then announcing to all and sundry that you wish to conspire with other equally imaginative creatives to blatantly copy them, or at least make an awesome derivative work from them, while of course clearing yourself of all the blame by adding the useless disclaimer: “No copyright violation intended.”
Far from using these as inspiration to learn from you will simply be compounding the poor technique and mistakes of the 20 or 30 generations of the awesome brain dead copyright violators since the original image was made, to reach the depth of awesomeness that you have found in the bowels of the Internet.

NUMBER 2: look at some good photography and study good photographers. There are hundreds both from the past and present, and even if all you do is look at the work of Ansel Adams you will still be streets ahead of all the armchair experts who drop the only name they know all over Internet forms.

NUMBER 3: learn about lighting techniques and when and why they are used. A good starting point for portrait photographers are Beauty, Rembrandt, Butterfly, and Loop lighting, although there is a technique coming to prominence called “cheap skank ” lighting which in any of its many variations is guaranteed to affect even the most flawlessly attractive model.

NUMBER 4: study just some of the many more useful elements of composition and open your mind far enough to realise that you will not make your image instantly awesome by superimposing an imaginary tick tack toe gird across it.

NUMBER 5: refrain from trying to make that hugely oversized, ugly, designed-it-yourself logo an essential design element of your image. Better still throw it away completely and use the tried and tested, conventional copyright cut line as a watermark.

NUMBER 6: limit the application of the “Reduce to Mud” Photoshop plug-in to a maximum of three times per image. No don’t Google for it: just learn how to process properly!

NUMBER 7: search out one or two models whose beauty, personality, charisma, self respect and pride in their appearance actually make it worth taking your lens cap off for, rather than any person you come across in your desperation. If a model herself is deluded about her ability or her prospects surely it is the photographer’s professional responsibility to tell her she has not presented acceptably or is possibly not even model material.
Be aware that “Snog, Marry, Avoid” is a satire, not a training film about what to look for in a potential model.

NUMBER 8: pay attention to details: garish, inappropriate makeup; ugly,broken or bitten nails; worn or chipped nail polish; badly fitting clothes; unclean hair; awkward posing; unrelated, badly framed or poorly chosen background; skewed horizons; bony feet in “Minnie Mouse” shoes, etc.

NUMBER 9: show it little professionalism, and a serious approach to your work rather than hoping for the best from a Neanderthal Facebook grunt: “Wanna shoot…make woman look awesome”

NUMBER 10: have some kind of useful concept which some imagination can be applied to, and/or a viable useful purpose for the resulting images in your mind before the shoot. If the best you can come up with is

a ) my Facebook friends will tell me it is awesome and I could be a professional.
b) it will be awesome for your folio.
c) it will be awesome exposure.
Then the iconic phrase from the movie “The Castle” springs to mind: “Tell’im he’s dreamin”
d) “possible magazine submission – no pay” is also a notorious laughter maker these days too.

BONUS NUMBER 10: and possibly the best solution for so many: sell all your photo gear and take up stamp collecting, at least you will then be exposed to some well designed, and maybe even some truly awesome images.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

What Does your Portfolio Say about You?

All creative artists either have or need a portfolio of some sort, so this post does not only apply to models or photographers.

Do you have a printed portfolio?
Do you have a business card, postcards, mailers, brochures, comp card, example portfolio, folio or show reel on CD or DVD, to anything to leave behind for reference?
Do you have a website which showcases your work?
Or does your portfolio only exist on Modelling/photographer sites such as Starnow, or ModelMayhem or any of those similar sites.
Or, better than nothing (almost), are you one of those Facebook only models, photographers, artists?

It seems that portfolios broadly fall into one of four categories:

Full Steam Ahead: those which show of a definite individual style, creative, tightly edited, technically excellent, and highly focused on the artist and future development. The product for sale or hire is you.
Steady as She Goes: those which are varied, and confident, but still showing creativity and untapped potential, professional and competent in tackling all assignments made available.
At Moorings, in Ballast: the general majority which show a limited range , low to average quality, and exhibit a sameness with so many other portfolios: no challenges attitude, just give me more of the same thankyou.
Under Tow to the Breaker’s Yard: those who spring about in all directions, chase trends, follow every piece of poor advice and bad information, worship false gurus, jump at every casting call which promises that “this will be great for your portfolio”

Amongst these broad categories only Category number One shows any understanding of the proper purpose of a portfolio to an artist:
Portfolios are not meant to document the past: they are to represent what you want to achieve in the future.
Family and friends look at a portfolio to feel proud of what has been accomplished: an industry professional looks at a portfolio to ascertain just how well your individuality, personality, creativity,knowledge, ability technique, professionalism and flair will be able to make his future project the best it can be, and to single you out from all the other portfolios he will be looking at in relation to enhancing his own image and reputation.
So take a second look at your portfolio, or when you are assembling your first portfolio, (as the case may be) look objectively at every image you wish to include, not as an artist, not as a photographer, and not as a model but as a prospective client, a future employer of your skills, as a prospective buyer of your services.

Does your portfolio tell prospects what you do – the subjects you cover well and how you do it with effective creativity, technique and individual style?
Do your visuals have marketability? Are they saleable?
Are the images geared to specific markets? Specific clients? Or able to fill an existing or niche need?
Is your book well edited and do the images have a relationship to one another?
Do the images flow well as the viewer progresses through your portfolio?
Does your folio “sell” you, your abilities, your creativity and your individual style?

Friday, July 18, 2014

Working with Under Age Models


Working with underage models is easy	if all the rules and regulations are observed before and during the shoot.

Maybe it's the school holiday season, or maybe even the onset of spring “when the dirty old man's fancy turns to photographing nubile chicky babes”, but the Internet forums have had more than their usual share of questions along the lines of: “What do I do when an underage girl approaches me wanting to be photographed?”

The stories of recent years involving illegally obtained mobile phones with ensuing exorbitant bills, and illegally obtained tattoos should be a pretty good indication.

However it seems that rather than the photographer going to the trouble of finding out the law as it stands in his region, state, or country, the question is thrown open to Internet forums and Facebook friends in the hope that if a good enough number of “Internet experts” vaguely agree with what he wants to do anyway, then it somehow makes it the right thing to do.

The responses are always strangely predictable, and fall into the usual distinct groupings:

total ignorance of the law.

total contempt for the law.

an interpretation of the law based on what an individual would like it to be, rather than what it actually is.

an egotistical interpretation where the law applies to everyone else, except ‘me’

the mantra of the latent criminal: it is not illegal unless you are caught.

an occasional lone voice who recommends checking with the appropriate authorities.

As it is also technically illegal to give legal advice when you are not qualified to do so, and I am not: therefore it is sufficient to indicate that the law which applies (in most countries – CHECK for yourself!) revolves around the age of majority and/or consent (it does not only have to do with sex, y’know) and the inability of a minor to ‘contract’.

Therefore if you are a photographer, rather than a guy with a camera (GWC), it is advisable to first check the law as it stands: most laws and regulations are very specific and unambiguous: laws are generally only complicated and onerous to those who do not wish to understand.

My personal rule of thumb when approached for photographs by teens who appear to be under the age of majority:

Ignore most of them: most are not serious, and few have anything of interest to a professional or serious photographer anyway. (Just as not everyone can or should be a photographer, not every girl with stars in her eyes has what it takes to be a model – rule of thumb: an amateur photographer uses his friends and acquaintances to learn and practice; a fauxpro is desperate to get anybody in front of his camera, and it shows in his photos; a professional picks, chooses and rejects everyone except those with real ability or potential, and goes with the one model who is most suitable for his current project or vision.)

If there is genuine potential, as well as signs of genuine interest and dedication, the parents should be referred to at the earliest opportunity. It is the parents or guardian who you will be dealing with for all contracts, transactions, model releases, and required legalities, including the most important: their Parental Permission (preferably in writing) for the photography to actually take place.

(It goes without saying that the girls who say they don't want their parents to know about it, or want to see if they are any good before they tell their parents, or they want to surprise their boyfriend with a professional pic, and even the seemingly innocuous “go on take a picture of me” that happens at public events: are all potential trouble with a capital T.)
I would still not go ahead unless I could ascertain in person that the parents were fully supportive, involved and, fully cooperative: those who seemed to be uninvolved, uncaring, or worst of all, meekly controlled by the kid’s whims would be an instant deal breaker. At the opposite extreme so would be the obsessive stage mum.

©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXIV
Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including any photographs and files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.
The Australian Copyright Act allows certain uses of content on the internet without the copyright owner's permission. This includes uses by educational institutions for educational purposes, and by Commonwealth and State government departments for government purposes, provided fair payment is made. For more information, see www.copyright.com.au and www.copyright.org.au.
We may change these terms of use from time to time. Check before re-using any content from this website.

Interesting Links:My Photography Webpage
Facebook page for Professional Photographers and Models
The Definite Article Photography and Video on Facebook
My Pond 5 Page
The Definite Article at Publicise Me

Friday, July 11, 2014

Modelling Agencies: The Good and the Bad

A recurring question I have been asked hundreds of times over the years...one of the first to ask it was the first model I ever worked with, Bronwen way back in 1981…: “When should I join a modelling agency?”

Firstly agents and agencies of all persuasions (not just modelling) exist, and are required to be licensed by the government, (in most states of Australia at least) for ONE REASON ONLY....to find work for their client and to keep their client in regular and reputable work!

The model employs the agent/agency (yes YOU EMPLOY them, not the other way round as many agents like to think) to find suitable work, and pays them their 17% commission for (only) the work they secure for you. (take note of the percentage – this may vary in other states and countries, but if any agent wants more than 20% commission be very wary indeed!)

I tell anyone who asks that by the time you are earning enough money to be a viable commodity for an agency to be interested in representing you, you already have enough experience to

know who the legitimate agents are
have enough skills to realise (unless you are really busy) that you don´t really need an agent.

The general run of ¨agencies¨ is different though: and lots of beginning models want to sign with an agency simply because they are told that one

is needed ¨if you want to get anywhere¨,
peer pressure of seeing others ¨represented¨
maybe they are looking for modelling courses rather than representation.

Fair enough if you must: my advice is to give them a try, and if they are not finding you paying work within three to six months, or their courses are mickey mouse nonsense ( and most do seem to be that way), they are not worth worrying about.

As a photographer, if I had the budget, the clientele, and the market which warranted an agency model...I would go to one of the few legitimate and highly regarded agencies and book a model through them, and not even think about booking “a girl who just happens to be with an agency”.

To find out who the industry professional agencies are, simply inquire amongst commercial or fashion photographers who use agency models on a daily basis, rather than hoping for the best, or asking Facebook acquaintances who have “done a little bit of (internet) modelling”

However for the type of work I do, I have never needed an agency model, and I simply REFUSE POINT BLANK to work with a model who is ¨represented by¨ the parasitic end of the agency spectrum!

As I believe that it is unethical and unprofessional to comment on any specific company either publically or privately, the following is how I recognise the parasites in a general, cursory way:

the exist only on Facebook, and nowhere else
they are listed on one of the modelling sites such as Starnow or Model Mayhem, and exist nowhere else
they promise to be looking out for the “welfare¨ of their models, and provide them with agency quality portfolios, and yet only have low quality, badly lit ¨theme shoot¨ photos to show.
they will send you to an ¨awesome ¨ photographer
they are invariably owned by a ¨former international model, and an award winning photographer"...neither of which I have heard of. (May legitimate and very successful agencies were established this way, but it is also a very worn out cliché attempt at gaining legitimacy.
they charge fees for signing with them, and then a fee every other “service” and everything else including some things I would never dream necessary.
they talk about "managing" a career, rather than offering to find work
they make their money from flogging ¨modelling and deportment¨ courses, which progressively get more advanced, and of course more “necessary”...not to mention more expensive
other girls say ¨I signed with them over twelve months go, and haven´t heard a thing since¨
or the real doosey which still elicits a chuckle ¨I'm represented by so and so, but they ALLOW (?) me to find my own work
their website has acres of photos of models; None of whom I recognise
they have a long list of companies they EXPECT a model to go-see, consisting of just about every high profile name in the world, but their list of clients they have actually secured work with, has two or three names on it such as ´Betty´s Flowershop´, and ´Joe´s Garage´

And just like photographers the more crap they shovel (sorry...wax lyrical) about ¨their artistic vision¨, their ´impeccable integrity´ their ´caring collaboration´, and their ´award winning accomplishments´, the more useless and suspect they are.

I stress that most of the above is my opinion only! I am happy to hear comments from models more experienced with agents and agencies and photographers who have worked with agency represented models

©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXIV

Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including any photographs and files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.
The Australian Copyright Act allows certain uses of content on the internet without the copyright owner's permission. This includes uses by educational institutions for educational purposes, and by Commonwealth and State government departments for government purposes, provided fair payment is made. For more information, see www.copyright.com.au and www.copyright.org.au.
We may change these terms of use from time to time. Check before re-using any content from this website.

Interesting Links:
My Photography Webpage
Facebook page for Professional Photographers and Models
The Definite Article Photography and Video on Facebook
My Pond 5 Page
The Definite Article at Publicise Me

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Rights of Various Participants in a Photo-shoot...Part Two:

The Photographer´s Rights

In most cases, (including when a shoot is commissioned by a client), the photographer retains copyright in any and all photographs taken at the shoot.

He then licenses (limited and lawful) usage of those photographs to the client, or to other users, and potential markets, and usually, but not always, licenses a limited usage to the model to allow him/her to promote themself on the internet and within a printed portfolio.

Model with Assistant/MUA/All in One

Photographer´s Assistant

Many models, actors, and photographers are keen at times to act as a photographer´s assistant, and it is a great experience to see a shoot, and learn from both sides of the camera. I regularly ask models, especially those interested in photography to assist me on shoots with beginner models.

Several models have asked what does an assistant do? (apparently very little!)

Apart form the stock answer ¨there is always a reflector to hold¨ they are actually very valuable:

they do wonders for putting an inexperienced model at ease,
they liaise easily between a male photographer and a female model where a new working relationship may be a little tense at first...(believe me it is on both sides)
they also keep inquisitive onlookers at bay,
they keep valuable photographic equipment secure while the photographer is concentrating elsewhere,
they attend to makeup, hair and clothing, and any problems which arise.

But of most value to them: they learn, and learn quickly by observing, helping and doing.

Assistant’s rights: besides respect and value for a job well done, they are also encouraged (by me, as well as many other professionals) to take some of their own photographs during a shoot, when time permits...to which they do own the copyright, although if the shoot is for a client they are under the same limitations of usage as the photographer.

However it is advised that they get the photographer´s permission to sell or license any of the photos they do take, before they do so.

Second Shooter

A second shooter is often required on big shoots such as a large wedding, or an event where the main photographer simply cannot be in two or more places at once.

I have been told of photographers being asked to be second shooter on model shoots and similar, but I can not fathom why one would ever be needed.
( I do however have a suspicion as to why, namely the photographer thinks the second shooter will have ideas better than his own, or will take better shots than he himself is capable of...the reason for this will be become obvious in the next paragraph)

The second shooter has no rights to ownership of any of the pictures he/she takes on a shoot...they are actually contracted to the #1 photographer (unless working under other previously agreed arrangements) who owns copyright of all the shots taken whether or not he pressed the shutter button, or owns the camera equipment used.

And because most shoots which are big enough to require a second shooter are usually commissioned by a client, there will be little or no credit or portfolio use offered as well.

However more agreeable second shooter terms can be negotiated with certain photographers on certain projects...one possible scenario is when one shoots stills while the other shoots video, an arrangement I often work under.

Makeup Artist

Very few rights: they own no rights to the photograph at all as expected, and just as a model allows usage of their likeness, a makeup artist allows usage of their makeup design, which in most cases is fairly standard and therefore not original or copyrightable.

They may or may not be offered photos for their portfolio and self - promotion.

The Make up artist’s more elaborate original designs: often seen in photographs these days (but incidentally these photos which have little saleability), is technically subject to copyright, but in practice they have given permission for their design to be used.

Similarly an original design of a tattoo may be copyright (in some cases) to the tattoo artist, but they cannot stop people from looking at it, or photographing it once it is on someone´s body, or in the public domain.

The Stylist

This category is only included for the sake of completeness as the vast majority of us will never come across a stylist in our day to day photography.

As an important member of high end commercial photography teams, the stylist is responsible for strict adherence, and even improvement upon the shooting brief, and for making certain that the client’s product is seen in the “best light”, and therefore have the right of input into all aspects of the shoot to ensure that happens.

At the opposite end of the photographic spectrum it is apparently the rising trend to have at least one “stylist”, and sometimes several: hair stylist, set stylist, furniture stylist, clothing stylist, shoe stylist…well the more the merrier.

As to their actual function? Well who really cares as long as everyone is having “fun”?

Model´s companion

(includes stage mum, chaperone, boyfriend, minder)
No rights whatsoever, except to keep their charge safe, and out of harm´s way.

Can be ejected if distracting the model or the photographer or interfering in any way with the shoot

However it is usually a very good idea to have a mum around when:

the model is young and inexperienced
is under 18
it is the first meeting between an unknown model and photographer
the shoot is being run by an amateur

Young, same age as the model girlfriends are not a good idea
...boyfriends, however, are never much more than a distraction to everybody involved.

NB: Professional shoots

In some cases, including on my shoots, especially when a model is young and/or inexperienced, a mother of family member is welcomed on set, (as long as they are not tempted to interfere with what is essentially a job of work - and there is always a reflector to hold) but in the majority of professional shoots with most professional photographers a minder of any sort is completely banned, and totally unnecessary. (let´s face it: do young people take their mum or boyfriend to their job behind the McDonalds counter?)

The last remaining question:

What if, as so often happens in the internet modelling arena, a model, a makeup artist, or even a stylist, organises or facilitates (commissions?) the shoot and merely enlists the photographer to press the shutter button?

Is the model, the makeup artist, or the stylist entitled to copyrights of any kind over the resulting photographs?

Afraid not! This is technically a commissioned shoot, and as with all normal client commissioned shoots the photographer owns the copyright to the photographs, unless the photographer has signed a contract with the client, or is willing to sign over his copyrights to the client in writing.

This is one of the reasons so many internet modelling arrangements instigated by models or makeup artists attract only amateurs or very inexperienced, non-savvy photographers, as no professional photographer would ever agree to signing over copyrights without receiving a very large payment.

This last entry pertains strictly to Australian Copyright Laws and may differ in other countries.

None of the above is not meant and should not be taken as legal advice … it is information gleaned from many years experience as a practicing photographer.

For further information refer to: Australian Copyright Council website: www.copyright.org.au

P.S.: you will appreciate that I refrained from saying “I am not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV “ which no doubt would have sent you all in to hysterical fits of uncontrollable laughter…or so it would seem from the number of times I have seen this phrase posted ad nausea over the past fifteen years, by legions of “internet experts” who do not want to assume any responsibility for anything they say on innumerable forums.

©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXIV

Except as permitted by the copyright law applicable to you, you may not reproduce or communicate any of the content on this website, including any photographs and files downloadable from this website, without the permission of the copyright owner.
The Australian Copyright Act allows certain uses of content on the internet without the copyright owner's permission. This includes uses by educational institutions for educational purposes, and by Commonwealth and State government departments for government purposes, provided fair payment is made. For more information, see www.copyright.com.au and www.copyright.org.au.
We may change these terms of use from time to time. Check before re-using any content from this website.

Interesting Links:
My Photography Webpage
Facebook page for Professional Photographers and Models
The Definite Article Photography and Video on Facebook
My Pond 5 Page
The Definite Article at Publicise Me

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Rights of Various Participants in a Photo-shoot...

Part One: The Model´s Rights

Traditionally a photo-shoot involves two people: the model and the photographer.

Other people are sometimes involved to complete various work necessary to making the shoot a success, the tendency being the more commercial the shoot, the more people involved.

Therefore what rights do these various people on a photo-shoot have, both during the actual shoot, and in the results of that particular shoot.

Also as many models, actors and photographers, makeup artists and really just about anyone, are often keen to get involved in many different roles within their industry, and therefore learn by actually doing, I offer the following summary of their ¨rights¨:

The Model/Actor

The model only has one right available to him/her to exercise; the right to the use of their ¨likeness¨.
They give the photographer permission to use their likeness for any lawful purpose, by merely standing in front of the camera, and allowing photographs to be taken, or by applying/attending to a photo call.

If it is a commercial shoot, or it is envisaged that the resulting pictures may be used for commercial purposes in the future, the model is asked to formalise this permission by signing a written ¨model release¨.

Shoots are often explained to a model verbally prior to a shoot, or at an audition, or in written form in a casting call. These conditions should be understood completely, considered carefully , and the requirements followed. Always ask if anything is in doubt or has not been explained adequately to your satisfaction.

Some shoot conditions often require nudity: and the model should always retain the right to the degree of nudity she is willing to allow.

It is always a good idea to state somewhere in writing, what you are prepared to do, and I (and most other professional photographers) have a question in my model information form which asks if a model is prepared to pose in swimwear, lingerie, topless or nude,
When these questions are asked, make sure that you answer definitely with ¨yes¨ or ¨no¨: if you wish to consider based on your future interaction with the photographer, state clearly that you will decide later, and make certain that you ask to amend the form at a later date.

If later, or during a shoot a photographer tries to ¨convince¨ a model to go past what she has stated is her limit, he is actually violating your right to your likeness.

If however you take part in a shoot which has stipulated beforehand that a degree of nudity is required, you have no right to decline when it is asked for.

Technically also, and this applies to most professional photographers, and most shoots, models do not have the right to review, or veto the use of any of the shots taken during the shoot.
Most photographers will allow or license a selection of the shots to the model for use in his/her portfolio, and for self promotion, although technically this is not required.
If the photographer is shooting for a specific client, that client may not allow the model any photographs at all.

Disturbingly to both professional photographers and models two trends have emerged recently:

Photographers, mainly amateurs, but also those who should know better, have been offering, or promising ¨rights¨ to models that they are not in a position to offer, and that models are not entitled to. This is almost always under the guise of ¨considering the model´s welfare¨, but in reality is confusing to new models, as they go on to demand these ¨rights¨ when dealing with professionals, and as a result are quickly shown the door.

Some models have landed themselves in very expensive trouble by selling prints of themselves which are copyright to others, or leasing their photographs to magazines, and thus breaching the copyright (and damaging the potential income, livelihood, and reputation) of the photographer who generally owns the copyright to all the photos taken during a shoot...one well known stable of magazines actually encourages this practice thus adding confusion to what is a clear cut case of copyright ownership.

Models do not own any copyright in photographs they appear in: and although there has been a great deal of waffle (especially on internet forums) about joint copyright, a professional photographer would rarely if ever consider such a logistical nightmare.

©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXIV

Remember, that all photographs accompanying this blog are Copyright (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from the photographer.

Interesting Links:
My Photography Webpage
Facebook page for Professional Photographers and Models
The Definite Article Photography and Video on Facebook
My Pond 5 Page
The Definite Article at Publicise Me

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

In praise of models

Models, Remember them?

They are the attractive thing which keep your photographs from being a picture of a blank white wall. (Oh no! I think I just spawned a rash of theme shoots!)

So why should I thank them: haven’t I already provided them with pictures for their portfolios? Haven’t I given them “exposure” for their career? Maybe I have even given them a few dollars in payment…so surely none of them need to be thanked again, let alone praised?

The girl who started it all, so many years ago

Being a good model has little to do with how pretty a girl is, how skilful she is at presenting and posing her body, how "cooperative" or “malleable” she may be, or how many layers of clothing she is willing to remove to further a photographer's “art”.

There is much more to being a model than standing in front of a camera: anybody can do that. But it takes skill and ability to project a thought, an emotion, a concept or a personality down the barrel of a lens.

Modelling is hard work.

I have recently had the pleasure of working with three excellent models who not only know the difficulties of modelling and the hard work involved , but have lifted their modelling to an art form.:

Abbey Lee ,http://www.starnow.com.au/abbeycallton

Cassie Franklin, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008289011467&fref=tl_fr_box

and Rinny, who unfortunately (for photographers that is) has left modelling now to further her outstanding creativity behind the camera.

I have been photographing models for over thirty five years, and yet I will be approaching my upcoming shoots with Kerrie and Shannon-lee next week with the same anticipation, enthusiasm, and trepidation as that first shoot so many years ago.

Experience has taught me that both these girls will be excellent, and will provide many wonderful and useful photographs.

It just pays to remember models are people too: they come from all walks of life. Some just model for the fun of it, some do it occasionally and casually, others do it only for certain photographers, and a few, a very few, take it to much greater heights than any of us could imagine, making it in a very competitive field, or as a lucrative career.

Collaboration is a much hackneyed and abused word, especially in the world of internet modelling, but models are the substance which makes or breaks your photographic results. All the girls I have ever worked with, have been collaborators in the true sense, stamping their beauty and personalities on each and every photograph we have made together.

There are far too many to list here, but some of the memorable, and outstanding models I have worked with include:
Audrey Currie, Cathy Taylor, Donna Lynne Ralph, Elke Joris, Emma-lea Lawrence, Jackie Kirby, Jeanne Foxx, Jenny Mapperson, Joanne Dailly, Julie Govenlock, Karen Hoy, Karen Salaris, Kerry Ann Halvorson, Kim Verity, Kristine and Roslyn Brunt, Lisa Wells, Monika Gorecki, Narelle Rice, Patricia Rosario, Robyn Drew, Tonette Kelly, and Tracey Palmer, Adele Wilson,…and many more…

I have lost touch with many of these girls over the years, but if any happen to be reading this, I would love for you to get in touch.

And last but certainly not least I owe a great deal to Bronwen Creevey (nee Jarrett), the very first model I ever photographed, who not only went on to a great modelling career, but whose wonderful poise, charm, beauty and ability before the camera, and her terrific personality, convinced me that model photography was a pretty good way to make a living.

Remember, that all photographs accompanying this blog are Copyright (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from the photographer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/645731338825617/
https://www.facebook.com/thedefinitearticlephotography
http://publicize.me/definitearts
https://www.pond5.com/artist/definitearts

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Time to do some thinking...

Spare a little time for some thought...

With the new financial year looming, and Crooning Joe´s extreme austerity budget delivered, and its real terror beginning to become apparent, I have been reviewing my fees and prices structure for the next year or so.

It has also proven a great opportunity to check out the ¨opposition¨ as their websites, or more accurately their Facebook ¨Business¨ pages are totally unavoidable.

These newly set up FauxPro businesses all seem to have the same things in common, including almost identical photographs, mainly consisting of low/no budget weddings, pregnant bellies, babies, kids, and family goups; graceless girls awkwardly posed, while dreams of making it as a supermodel dance behind meaningless stares; miles of oversaturated landscapes and sunsets, and subjectless panographs ..

Apart from lowering the value of photography for everyone, and acclimatising the general public to the belief that ¨Professional¨ photography is nothing but artless snapshots, are these newcomers really ¨competition¨ in any way, shape or form?

Navigating Facebook pages are a challenge at the best of times, and It is quite a feat to first of all wade through the plethora of self designed ¨Discount Vouchers¨, but eventually you can find what they actually seem to charge.

Judging from these published rates and fees, viewed beside the photographic examples, the majority seem to be squarely targetting the lowest rung of the market, that is the people who do not own a smartphone and are therefore unable to better the efforts of these ¨professionals¨ by taking a selfie.

After due consideration and evaluation of their business practices I am sure, (???) the magic and mystical number they arrive at ...almost universally without exception...seems to be $50 for a three hour session.

Extrapolating from this figure, and assuming that:

the long accepted professional practice that for each hour of shooting an equal time is spent on pre and postproduction work,

and allowing for the maximum number of shoots that can be physically fitted within the limited time of one week;

it works out they they will be able to gross (Gross, without any of the overheads and maintainance of running a photography business)

LESS that the current Newstart Allowance or similar govt. provided dole options....(Current not future)

Well, the artist starving in their garrett is an important part of the mythology after all!

¨But I´ll easily make it up with print sales¨ ... Can´t you just hear all those sheep bleating.

Given the ever declining lack of interest in prints since the digital era began,

the infinitismal markup which can be added to even the lowest quality printing costs to maintain any sales at all,

and the fact that they give away any number between five and twenty full resolution digital files with every sales package they offer.

Yes I repeat Give away: so whether restricted by a usage license or not, customers are free to print off as many copies of each pic as they want.

These free digital files in hand , a quick trip to the local variety store photo booth will get them 10 x 8´s at the phenomenal price of : ...wait for it....$2.50 each.

Doh!

So not only are these FauxPros devaluing the work of all photographers in general, they place absolutely no value whatsoever on their own work.

Which in many cases seems quite appropriate.

However amongst the mileu there is an occassional tyro and all too often misguided photographer who shows enough talent and determination to place them above all those others who think that calling themselves a ¨Professional Photographer ¨would be a lot more ¨fun¨ than getting themselves a ¨real job¨.

To those occassional few the best advice would be to forget photography for at least three months:
- do even the most basic of business courses,
- research, and evaluate your skills, interests and strengths
- learn how to market those attributes effectively to the right audience,
- actively pursue a photographic niche
- formulate a business plan which would ensure that your business was actually able to maintain itself (and you) as a business...
- make an actual effort at improving yourself and your photography,

and then instead of aspiring to the already bulging ranks of the FauxPro

... I am sure you would be welcomed into the fold of Professional Photographer

Remember, that all photographs accompanying this blog are Copyright (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from the photographer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/645731338825617/
https://www.facebook.com/thedefinitearticlephotography
http://publicize.me/definitearts
https://www.pond5.com/artist/definitearts

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

MODELS BEWARE!

If you can stop laughing that is...

An experienced model can work confidently with any photographer, secure in her knowledge of the model release

Remember, that all photographs accompanying this blog are Copyright (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from the photographer.

Was shown a ¨Model Release¨ yesterday presented to a model acquaintance for signing by a ¨photographer¨ I didn´t know very much about.

Being experienced the model took one look, laughed and walked away from the shoot, but the document is indicative of much of the nonsensical paperwork floating around shoots in recent years.

Obviously cobbled together from ¨stuff¨¨garnered from interent forums and their resident experts, knowledgeable mates , and a bit of home spun ¨fairness¨ thrown in for good measure, the release consisted of 4 to 5 pages ( yes! really!) of psuedo legalistic terms and phrases , paragraphs compeletely contradicting the one before it, and a liberal sprinkling of demands, obligations and ¨rights¨ for everyone involved.

I stopped reading when I reached a large section ( almost a full page) devoted entirely to the make up artist (?)...therefore I don´t know whether the studio cleaner, or the tea lady featured in the remaining two and half pages.

Part release, part contract, part ¨agreement to shoot¨ ( who uses those anymore? ), part control-freak egotism, and part utter nonsense, the whole document became all of them and none of them simultaneously, couched in meaningless gobbledegook.

However after interpreting the confusing and almost illiterate language of the very first statement, the penny dropped:

Basically it translated as ¨This Release covers photographs taken for NON COMMERCIAL purposes ONLY¨

Are releases like these the result of complete ignorance, plain stupidity, or the overwhelming desire of people masquerading as photographers to appear as if they know what they are doing?

As the sole reason behind needing a ¨Model release¨ is to permit images to be used for Commercial purposes, why even attempt to bamboozle models, especially those with little or no experience, with such time wasting, energy sapping and delusional rubbish?

But then again it could be just an aversion to proper research by the photogapher into the accepted workings of his chosen profession.

In that case just how much does this aversion to knowledge about the necessary paperwork vital to their profession correlate with their knowledge and skill, in relation to techniques, creativity and marketting of their actual photography?

So Models, please dont encourage them.

Instead, check out what a standard, and acceptable model release looks like, and what it needs to contain, and when and why it is necessry to sign one.

And if the one you are presented by certain photographers, varies too much from the norm, have an experienced professional photographer check it out for you.

There is probably no need to go to the expense of a solicitor looking it over, because the concept of a model release is so simple that legal advice should not be necessary.

Then you too can confidently enjoy the thrill of laughing and walking away, when you need to.

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http://publicize.me/definitearts
https://www.pond5.com/artist/definitearts

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

What does an Industry professional want to see in a Model´s Portfolio?

In Summary:

The best advice that anyone can give to a beginner model is:
Learn to recognise and appreciate a good photograph.
If only a small percentage of models actually knew what a good photograph was supposed to look like, there would be a swelling of the ranks of trainspotters and stamp collectors overnight as so called ¨photographers¨ flooded ebay with second hand photo gear, because they wouldn´t be able to get photo-savvy models in front of their cameras.

(This advice could equally apply to many present day picture buyers, magazine editors, and stock picture library curators, and possibly ninety percent of ¨photographers´ could also benefit from knowing what a good photograph looks like as well.)

Monika in red shirt, published several times

over the years

in many different markets

Don´t limit your knowledge or research to the internet, or worse still Facebook only, but actively look at magazines, books, brochures, photographic exhibitions, television, advertising, and anything which uses photography and models in the real world.

In other words, research the real world industry, and not just the world of internet modelling, which although it seems very active will not get you very far if you are a determined, ambitious model.

Avoid trapping yourself in the amateur photo club style posing nights, and the meat market ¨theme¨ shoots: these may seem like a very good place to get experience, and an easy ¨ in ¨ to the industry when first starting out: however sadly the truth is that most of the particpants in this scene, including photographers, makeup artists and models, reach a certain level, and never advance any further ...even a cursory glance at the multitude of theme night photos on the internet will reveal a sameness of models, posing (or lack thereof), lighting, background and technique, and an overall low level of expertise and inspiration.

And if you don´t believe me ask one of the many models who have come away disheartend from applying to real world model agencies, after being told that they do not want to see certain types of photos ( including many who REFUSE [the agents´ words] to look at anything to do with THEME SHOOTS),

and possibly the most common comment these days according to agents I have spoken to :¨we can´t really tell if the model has any potential or not because the photos are ABSOLUTE GARBAGE! [again the words of agents...not mine]

Traditionally there was always one severe bar to real world modelling: if a girl had done ¨adult¨ work, of even the most mild kind, she would never be taken seriously as a model.

However now as the interent modelling phenomena and real world modelling increasingly diverge, a second barrier has become more evident.

Therefore if you are serious about modelling, even if you are just beginning on what can be a very varied and exciting career path,

seek the advice of, and hang out with professionals involved in the industry, and work with like minded individuals: and do your utmost to avoid amateurs, fringe-dwellers, wannabes, pimps and svengalis...and beware: give a wide berth to the photographer who claims that his wonderful concept will be ¨great for your folio.¨

In other words: Appear professional from day one!
Be serious, dedicated and enthusiastic about your modelling and where you want it to take you: but above all if you want to succeed be genuine

Monday, May 12, 2014

What does an Industry professional want to see in a Model´s Portfolio?

Part Five:

How do I go about getting good pictures for my folio?

There are several avenues available to a would be model to get photos for her folio...called a "book" in professional circles, and a "port" by the general run of internet wannabes.

Some avenues will provide good portfolio standard pics...others will be a complete waste of time and energy, and the worst will be a complete waste of money.

Go to a legitimate agent - (really you only have a choice of about ten or so here in Australia) - they will most likely recommend suitable photographers.

Go to an ¨agency¨ : they will probably insist that you go to their own in house, or highly recommended ¨Internationally Famous, Award Winning Photographer¨ and cost you anything from $500 to $3000

Go to one of the glamour portrait studios (Starshots is the kind of thing I'm talking about). Cost anything up to $5000, and you will get pictures totally unsuitable for a folio, simply because they are designed specifically for the lady who wants a feel-good pampering, a boost to her ego, or an intimate glamour portrait for her husband, boyfriend or lover (existing or potential): a different purpose entirely to a portfolio.

Go to an amateur photographer, friend with a camera,or the guy down the street with a studio in his garage ; no need for me to comment further.

Go to a commercial ¨social" photographer- you will get varying quality, some tenuously suitable for a portfolio, but the majority will be really portraiture rather than showing you off as a potential model.

Volunteer to pose for a camera club model night, or a meat market ¨theme" shoot,: you may or may not get pictures from it, but those which you do get will be all about what the photographer thinks a model should be, and the ¨skills¨ of the makeup artist : not about you as a potential model: pics will vary in quality from average to abysmal, and unfortunately, especially with theme shoots, will be almost identical to hundreds of other theme shoots from around the country.

Go to a professional photographer skilled and knowledgable in shooting model/actor portfolios. Cost will be about $300 to $500, but you and your photographer will be dedicated to getting pics which will showcase you and your potential as a model, and nothing else.

A pic specifically taken for a portfolio by a practising portfolio photographer, but just different enough to grab attention

Remember, that all photographs accompanying this blog are Copyright (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from the photographer.

NB: It has long been a tradition that professional photographers will work on a TF* basis with a beginner model who shows better than average potential.
However most, these days, are wary of such arrangements for a variety of reasons :

Internet experts have decided that models have a natural born right to free photos.

the concept of TF* has been distorted and corrupted to such a degree by the concept of ¨internet modelling¨, that very few newcomers actually know what TF* actually means any more.

girls use the term ¨model¨ loosely to get free pictures to impress their Facebook friends, with no intention of becoming models.

No legitimate photographer has a problem if a girl decides during or after her first shoot that modelling is not for her...after all that is a prime reason for a first folio shoot...but if a photographer is used by a time wasting wannabe, it is a completely different matter: and professional photogaphers do talk amongst themselves.

( I myself have been almost ´burned´ twice in recent months; a girl wanted foliopics ...I think she was quite relieved that the pictures she was under orders from your boyfriend to do, although a valid branch of the industry, would never be done during a legitimate folio shoot..
The other girl was simply testing whether her ¨posing techniques´ would still have an effect after a few years away from the dating game, but why she picked a jaded, useless old git like me to try out her ´charms´ is beyond me.)

So if you are a model who would benefit from a TF* folio shoot, make certain that you impress your chosen photographer with genuine enthusiasm, dedication, and at least the promise of ability.

Also keep in mind if setting up a folio shoot is too easy, too cheap, or too expensive , especially if ¨photographers¨ are leaping at the chance to get a totally unknown and inexperienced girl in front of their camera) the results from the shoot will probably be of little or no use to you in the long run

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https://www.facebook.com/thedefinitearticlephotography
http://publicize.me/definitearts
https://www.pond5.com/artist/definitearts

Sunday, May 11, 2014

What does an Industry professional want to see in a Model´s Portfolio?

Part Four:

What will have them immediately look elsewhere!

Below is a short list of the things ¨models´ do either unwittingly, or under the (mis)guidance of others, which will immediately lose them work, gain them the wrong type of reputation, or even get them blacklisted by reputable photographers and work providers.

The most revealing fact that you can state on an internet modelling site is that you are ¨registered with Brutus and Desire@ripofftalentagency and pizzaria.com. This will speak volumes about your knowledge or lack thereof, of the modelling industy.

Industry Professionals know ALL of the agencies operating at any given time, the reputable, the OK ones, and the downright shonky, and if they need an agency represented model for any of their projects, they will book one through one of the 10 or so reputable Australian agencies with which the entire industry deals.

They will not book a model from an internet modelling site, only to have to deal with ¨agency¨ demands later on in the workflow.

Just as revealing is the sentence in an email ¨I am with shonky.com, but they allow me to find my own work¨ (!?!)

As the sole reason for existence of a legitimate modelling agency is to find their clients work, surely a model would query the idea that after a long wait through months of silence from their ¨agency¨, they are told ¨but we allow you to find your own work¨: and then of course the agency hand goes out for the commission.

Other things which can be only an annoyance to many, are an anathema to most, such as:

An answer from a model which arrives two weeks or more after the inital contact. Believe me you will be forgotten if no answer arrives within a day or two at the most. So check your account everyday if you are really serious about modelling.

An email exchange which continues until everything is arranged: time and day are set, location chosen, costumes sorted, and then goes mysteriously dead. Although you may still be able to play at being a model with many of the internet amateurs, your career as a serious model has just gone mysteriously dead as well

A model who turns up late, or not at all (with no notice of course), or cancells at the last moment, or even tries to constantly rearrange the date, will be regarded as nothing but a time waster, or to use the current lingo ¨a flake¨.

A model who turns up, inappropriately dressed, or with the wrong clothes, or clothes she decided would be more suitable.

Allied with this is the model who turns up poorly made up, with ugly chipped nails, or worn nail polish, dried out skin or hangover eyes, unwashed hair, and/or a totally unprofessional attitude will soon be shown the door because a shoot requiring extensive photoshopping after the event is not a worthwhile shoot.

And then there is the model who arrives with an unagreed and unannounced boyfriend, manager, minder, pimp, etc or entourage of dogsbodies...how many girls would attempt to take the same entourage to their job behind the counter at Maccas?

And lastly the dead giveaway of a model who is on a internet site for anything other than actual modelling:

A model who´s folio page is obviously written by someone other than herself, and communication which is obviously answered by someone other than herself, or someone who is ¨looking out for her welfare¨

Remember, that all photographs accompanying this blog are Copyright (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from the photographer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/645731338825617/
https://www.facebook.com/thedefinitearticlephotography
http://publicize.me/definitearts
https://www.pond5.com/artist/definitearts

Saturday, May 10, 2014

What does an Industry professional want to see in a Model´s Portfolio?

Part Three:

What Industry professionals DO NOT want to see!

Selfies... and distorted phone pics.

Faces obscured with ¨creative¨ zombie or theme shoot style makeup

Nudes, not even topless. ( only exception is if you specialise in nudes to the exclusion of everything else...and really the internet modelling sites are not the way to get established as a professional art or glamour nude)

Heaps of almost identical pics of over made up, over photoshopped, badly lit, and obviously amateur efforts identical to everyone else on the site.

Huge and ugly watermarks on your photos placed there by photographers who want to use your portfolio to advertise themselves.

Your portfolio should be to showcase YOU and nothing else. ...if your photographer doesn´t treat you as the subject, and the sole reason for a folio shoot, simply get another photographer who understands what a model´s folio is all about.

A Model who also claims to be a MUA, stylist, stage crew, actor, full time mum, nuclear physicist, rousabout, photographer, ...Oh and I forgot has a full time job as well.

A good clear figure pic suitable for a folio

What to avoid like the plaque!

One self description which will send fear into even the most hardened professional photographer: Model/Photographer

The words: ¨No experience´ next to ´Professional Model- paid work only.¨

Great long lists of everytime you have ever appeared in the same room as a camera, since the maternity ward you were born in .

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Friday, May 9, 2014

What does an Industry professional want to see in a Model´s Portfolio?

Part Two:

What Industry Professionals are looking for!

A pleasant personality evident from the model´s words as well as her photos.

Between three and twelve photos maximum. No one will bother wading through more than that to get to other relevant information.

The three essential shots are :
One good clear face shot with minimum makeup, and a pleasant, not outstanding , expression.

One good clear three quarter or full length photo of your figure in either swimsuit, or figure hugging tights and top.

One good clear photo of you wearing fashionable, relaltively conservative clothing: like the perennial little black dress, Tshirt and jeans or similar.

The rest of the twelve pictures are made of a variety of different styles of clothing, casual, formal, etc.

If you have actually done some professional work* they want evidence of this, such as photos from the shoot, or tearsheets from the finished work ( eg a scan from a magazine page or advert)

*professional work can be either commissioned or spec work, tfp or paid, done with a professional photographer with the aim of being published...it does not include amateur camera club shoots, ¨workshops¨, theme nights, or amateur ¨glamour¨ shoots

Remember, that all photographs accompanying this blog are Copyright (All Rights Reserved) and may not be used for any purpose whatsoever without written permission from the photographer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/645731338825617/
https://www.facebook.com/thedefinitearticlephotography
http://publicize.me/definitearts
https://www.pond5.com/artist/definitearts