Saturday, July 9, 2016

NUDITY: The Naked Truth, Part Three

(Nudity in this blog refers to all degrees of partial and full nudity, including Lingerie and other sheer or see through apparel, topless, full nudity; whether nipples and genitals are shown or not, and that genre, beloved universally and made ludicrously meaningless by amateurs: the genre rejoicing under the misnomer "Implied" nudity.)

Part One of this series explained the role of portfolios and self promotion in the career of the nude model, while Part Two explained some of the possible channels available for publication of nude photographs which a model should be aware of.

No doubt now the model has made herself available for nude work, and her willingness to collaborate with photographers of her own skill level or better, and the offers have no doubt been rolling in:

Which now begs the question: should all nude work be paid work only?

Many maintain that models should be paid for getting their gear off for photography, no questions asked: but the answer really is: it is entirely up to the individual.


The ubiquitous “tfp” shoot has been rendered almost meaningless by misunderstanding and misuse of the concept by the legions of fauxpros and wannabes, and close to useless for any but the raw beginner.

However used properly in the hands of the minuscule numbers of legitimate photographers who still use it, ‘tfp’ in its original form can be a very useful learning tool for models with genuine aspirations, and productive for the photographer with a model who is intent on developing professional level skills.

Much productive and successful work has also been produced over the years on a share the eventual profits basis, and many successful partnerships between model and photographer have existed where no payment has been made.

Personally I feel that if a photographer is being paid for a job requiring a model, then the model should be rightfully compensated, and certainly publications should pay both the photographer and the model, and up until a few years ago there was no doubt about this happening, not withstanding a little argy-bargy and untimely delays.

If a photograph of a model is used commercially, that is used to represent or imply endorsement of a certain company or product, the model is foolish if she doesn't negotiate a reasonable payment for her services.

As you progress and develop your modeling career you will find that there are many exceptionally good photographers, many genuine opportunities, and well paying markets for lingerie, semi nude and nude images, and there is no reason, if you have the right attitude, and the inclination, that a portion of those images should not be of you.

But a career isn’t built on wasting time and effort with fools, time wasters, pretenders, and exploiters...in fact the opposite is true, your career will either languish or indeed go backwards...at the very least the resulting images from these time wasting sessions will possibly be detrimental to a serious career.

But worst of all for a model who is dedicated, and determined to succeed, she doesn’t need to be labeled as "that chick who’ll strip for any guy with a camera" before her career has even begun.

What if you as a model want to specialise in Glamour, Nude, or similar work.
After all it is a completely legitimate form of modelling and most of the most lucrative if done for legitimate publications with skilled and experienced photographers.

This question brings us down to the hardest truth of all.

Do you really have the aesthetically perfect, desirable, defect and blemish free body that is necessary even before the photo manipulation makes it even more-so?

Face it, because very few internet photographers, desperate for flesh in front of their lenses, will ever tell you:
Not every girl can, or should be a model.

This is one of the great and foolish myths of internet modelling, just as many 'photographers' would contribute more to the photography industry if they took up stamp collecting or train spotting instead. The ego far too often refuses to recognise the vast chasm between “living the dream” and “just dreamin'”.

But this fact is never more true than for those who envisage modelling nude.

Anything less than a superb, elegant, universally desirable, and well proportioned body which matches or exceeds those already being published, is a waste of exposures (in all senses of the word) and time.

So you think you have the body, or would at least like to find out by giving it a go anyway?

Do you have or are you able to develop the required psychological make up, the comfort in nudity, and the relaxation and trust in working with your chosen photographer?

I personally would never photograph a model nude until complete relaxation, modelling competence and mutual trust has been established, and this would certainly never be during any of the early photo sessions together.

The startled “deer in the headlights” look, or the abject fear on the face is not a good look for either model or photographer, but is oh so common.

Do you, and more importantly your family, friends and loved ones have the open mindedness, and the willingness to support you in what can be an often openly hostile conservative society?

Remember nobody can make you a star, except you, yourself, and only after a lot of hard work and much diligently accumulated knowledge.

To listen to many of the new breed of 'photographers' and 'models', you can so easily become an overnight success with little effort, but it true that in reality it takes many years of paying your dues to become that ‘overnight sensation’, not to forget of course that the majority never achieve anything, or drop out because it's all too hard.

Above all, don't allow yourself to buy into that stereotypical myth, which has long been held to ridicule as the 'ideal model', and due to the sheer numbers of fauxpros and wannabes, and the immense volume of internet misinformation seems to be threatening to become more of a reality now than ever before: “the ditz with the tits”, the submissive perfect body who does what she is told, believes what she is told, and blinded by the stars in her eyes, doesn’t think for herself...who in striving for the ‘ideal’ of a completely empty mind, shuts down her entire brain.

Maybe the first things to avoid:

- the endless round of tfp shoots which are of course “great for your folio', which are entirely inappropriate, a complete dud of a learning experience, and at best 'a bit of fun' (they always seem to be billed as a bit of fun) and at worst a dead end waste of time.

- the seemingly never ending cycle of unpaid shoots, which aim at learning the ropes for a month or two, and before you know, years have gone by and despite the heartfelt promises you have never seen a single published photograph of yourself, and never earned a penny to reward your efforts. Even an occasional twenty dollars or so, does not make you a successful or indeed a ‘professional’ model.

And what things might be useful to learn to achieve success?

Learn to recognise a good photograph, and a good photographer, and to sort the wheat from the ever increasing heaps of chaff, and work with the people who are beneficial to your modelling...those who walk the walk, and don’t just shovel the jive talk.

Learn how to avoid problems, by not working for the wrong people in the first place, but when things begin to go wrong on a shoot, or inappropriate things begin to happen, learn how to control it, stop it completely, and when to walk out and leave.

Every model will quickly establish a comfort level with individual photographers and will also sense photographers she particularly favours, and others she would not allow within shouting distance, and rightly so.

Photo shoots, especially nude shoots, are by their very nature intimate to a degree, and a model is always placing herself in a vulnerable position. But that is no excuse for attempted seduction, 'copping a feel', photography as an excuse for simply perving, or any other inappropriate behaviour from either side of the camera.

Many models who are keen to establish a career, and accomplish some good photographic work, are surprised to learn of the number of desperadoes who buy a camera simply as an excuse to interact with 'models'.

Many others have mentioned the overwhelming amount of subtle, and not so subtle, coercion and out and out bullying that they are subjected to during photo shoots. Needless to say, that many models complain of behaviour ranging from a general feeling of being made to feel uncomfortable, through excessive 'ogling', to outright sexual abuse and molestation.

I have not only had it reported to me on several occasions, but also witnessed first hand, that some “models” are regarding photo shoots as potential date finding opportunities, and more surprisingly are offering to ‘git nekid’ in order to get free portrait sessions, and a supply of free pretty pics, with no intention of ever seriously modelling.

All of this of course is totally unacceptable, but behaviour which is increasingly becoming tolerated as 'normal', and indeed actually encouraged by both photographers and some 'models', but which a wise model quickly learns to deflect, control, or to avoid by recognising the potential problems long before they occur.
However it should be noted that these kinds of problems rarely occur in the purely professional environment, but also naive to think they don't occur at all.

When they do occur in any environment though it is better to be prepared to deal with them, rather than to give in early to fear, and scaremongering, and end your career before it has begun.

Personal experience has also shown that the very people who are the most vocal about ensuring a safe environment, naming and shaming real or imagined violators, and administrators of secret facebook groups to “protect” models, are usually the same people that serious models, and professional photographers for that matter, should be most wary of.

Feedback from numbers of models over the years has reported that the most unusable and unreliable information, and the most insidious misinformation comes from these very self proclaimed 'professionals'…

If I had a dollar for every pretender who labelled themselves “professional” as some kind of touchy-feely, ego inflating weasel word justification of their quasi- ethical behaviour, I would no longer need to be scratching out a living as a photographer and writer, myself.

So what every model needs to develop: every model, not just prospective nude models...is a
  • well tuned B.S. meter,
  • more than an ounce of good old common sense,
  • the ability to use her brain and thought processes,
  • knowledge of what good photography is,
  • and who the good photographers are
  • where your photographs are really being used (if anywhere)…
BUT most importantly,
  • the willingness and intelligence to JUST SAY NO when you will be receiving no benefit.
  • And the ability to simply WALK AWAY when necessary.


Stephen Bennett is available for Guest Speaking, Seminars, and Workshops in a group or on a one to one basis for:
Models and aspiring models on all things Modelling, including Successful Portfolios and Building a Modelling Career … please visit my website to contact me.


©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXVI
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 down-loadable 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:








Friday, July 8, 2016

NUDITY: The Naked Truth, Part Two

(Nudity in this blog refers to all degrees of partial and full nudity, including Lingerie and other sheer or see through apparel, topless, full nudity; whether nipples and genitals are shown or not, and that genre, beloved universally and made ludicrously meaningless by amateurs: the genre rejoicing under the misnomer "Implied" nudity.)

This part of the article explores what a potential nude model needs to know about the possible types of shoots and potential markets for nude photography, and how to decide if the photographer actually is prepared to deliver any of his promises of “publication”.

Let's just for a moment think about the possible markets for the photos of yourself as model which are most often promised (but alas rarely realised) by the majority of self styled internet photographers.

The most ridiculous first perhaps: boudoir shoots.

Well in language simple enough for even 'creative artists' to understand...Boudoir is a style of intimate portraiture offered to ladies of a certain age to give themselves an ego boost, to revitalise their marriage, to inspire their husband, boyfriend, or as a gift to a groom on the wedding night, or simply to make themselves feel sexy and pampered in the moment, and as a photographic memory for the future. It involves a photographer and a female client: the genre, by its very nature does NOT involve models, despite what modern day “creatives” are trying to make out.

The boudoir providers have basically died out and closed down now, as it was regarded by many women as a trifle indelicate and far too daring for gentile ladies, and has been largely replaced by the 'glamour makeover' shoot, which inherently has a much larger potential market, and a more conservative profile.

And as the word "boudoir" comes from the French meaning a bedroom or small intimate room for ladies, boudoir style photographs involve lingerie, and intimate apparel usually in a bedroom or intimate indoor setting.

It certainly does not involve groups of naked nymphette models romping around romantic forest glades, or parading their assets in derelict and abandoned factory buildings, while being stalked by legions of long lenses as organisers of several 'boudoir' workshops have emphatically insisted recently.

These types of shoots simply fit into the time honoured glamour genre.

Next where do the vast majority of photographs by internet photographers actually get "published"?

It shouldn't be surprising that the answer is nowhere, except maybe on facebook, or flickr, or some other social media ego gratifying page.

You should also be aware that appearances on these pages are not regarded officially, as “being published”.

Is "flipping the fried eggs" for the sake of appearing on nowhere except Chunky Chucky's Cheeky Chicky Pickies facebook page or website really worth while?

That's not to mention the distortion which will occur to the photos anyway because Facebook and most other social media, and even photo 'sharing' sites have their restrictions to what can appear, so get ready to suffer cartoon cat faces plastered over your carefully posed and meticulously photographed "female parts".

But then again you could also appear on the photographer's website, which, being one of merely 190,000,000,000 or more other sites, very few people will ever see, except for the picture thieves who will make sure it appears on as many porn sites as possible before they are caught and punished for copyright infringement...as if that will ever happen?

So yes, that honey dripper fauxpro was right when he told you you would get great “exposure”.

Vanity magazines.
 
While it is very true that news agency shelves are emptier of magazines by the month, with some magazines moving online, with new online publications appearing on a daily basis, it is also true, that while a very small number of online magazines are respectable, and have large readerships, the vast majority are the long time scourge of the publishing industry: vanity publications.

These vanity mags accept virtually anything, regardless of quality, and often subject matter, under the readership alienating arrogance of “We're independent, so we can do whatever we like”. They also would never even consider the imposition of paying for the use of photographs, and almost always disappear into the ether when the topic is raised.

Instead they rely on a captive audience, consisting of the photographer, the model, and the model's boyfriend or mum, and unsurprisingly very few other readers, as they are formulated to pay for their costs as well as make a profit from just one sale at grossly inflated prices for a download.

These quick, cheap, and nasty magazines disguised in back alley glitz, patronise and massage the ego of the wannabe photographer with feint praise, and sugar candy coated promises, by planting and carefully nurturing the fast track, nay the bullet train to fame, fortune, and great exposure (there's that word again).

The easiest prey of course, are the legions of snap-shooters, and fauxpros who know or suspect they haven’t got what it takes to cut it in the open market or even the desire to succeed on their own merit, and more about the image of being an "internationally published photographer", than anything which smacks of actual work.

As a result, the legions of fauxpros and wannabes however seem to regard these equivalents of yesterdays fish and chip wrappers, as the holy grail of publishing.

The irony is, that no-one in the legitimate industry regard these exploiters in anyway but with the derision they so aptly deserve, and the inclusion of any of them in a photographer's or model's portfolio or C.V. elicits nothing but a barely disguised smirk.

Print Magazine submissions

The heyday of print magazines was in the 1980's, when there were thousands of publications clamoring for content, most of which were not only open to, but actively encouraged freelance submissions.

But even then, submissions had to be extremely good, and finely tuned to the particular style of an individual magazine to be even considered for publication.

Even with the market as open as it was the "girlie" mags were still very particular to who's name was on a photography submission, before they even bothered to open the envelope...in effect the majority simply went straight to the round file, or were returned unopened.

Now when there are less than a tenth of the magazines in existence as there were then, there is much less chance of having an "over the transom" freelance package accepted, as the majority are produced entirely in house, and completely closed to outsiders.

But for submissions to those few still willing to review freelance work, the whole package must be exactly tailored to what the editor wants.

If your photographer promises "possible submission to magazines" ask him, which particular magazine?

If he doesn’t tell you, or mentions a vague term, or a wide group of publications, he either doesn’t know, is going to try the always unsuccessful scatter gun approach, or the word “collaborating” to him means everyone on set does as he tells them, while he bluffs, hoping for the best.

First thing for a wise model to do is to go and buy a copy of the particular mag mentioned, or check out several backcopies in a library: these will help you with what to expect with posing, makeup, etc, and basically get you “in the zone”.

Then carefully read the editorial or front pages, and find if they do in fact, accept freelance contributions. If it not clearly stated anywhere, the shoot is a waste of time.

Then check out then the photographer's work, with a discerning eye. Does it reflect the same general quality of that mag, the same lighting styles, the same general look and composition?

So far so good?

Next check out the general style of pictures the magazine usually features. If they all show virginal looking maidens with milk white skin, in country manor styled sets, lit by studio flash, and you happen to be a tanned, aussie girl, with tattoos and piercings, and you will be posing in front of a graffiti covered wall, to be lit by afternoon sun and a reflector, don’t waste your time.

Don't laugh, this very fundamental mistake of providing what the photographer considers the client needs, rather than what the client actually wants, is a lot more common than you think:-remember all those abominable and totally unsuitable "folio shoots " that you once did, that the model agencies labeled “garbage”?

This attitude which really amounts to arrogance, is the main reason why the majority of fauxpros will never get any further than posting snapshots on facebook. and as facebook does not allow nudes, anyway, why are you, as a serious model, considering getting naked for this loser?

Magazines simply do not want 'different', they don’t want 'art', 'experiments', 'better'...they want more of exactly the same, variations on the same style, same lighting, poses, settings, types of girls, and equal quality that they have been running for the last few years.

And if you happen to be dealing with one of those photographers who never reads the magazines he is pretending to photograph for (in their dreams) you might like to gently let him know that Playboy Magazine is no longer publishing photographs of nude women...the reason the publishers gave: there was already far too much really bad amateur crap on the internet it wasn't worth trying to compete with it anymore.


Art Nude?
 
Art nude photography is the epitome of technique, skill, and knowledge coupled with creativity, and is the field where real collaboration takes place for great rewards for both model and photographer.

As a result art nude photographers are the exception, and no where near as prevalent as would appear from glancing at facebook profiles, where travesty and artless mediocrity are the norm.

Nevertheless art nude work is a great opportunity for models to learn and advance their skills, when working with a good photographer of equal or preferably higher skill levels.

However even the most successful art nude photographer would quickly tell you that opportunity to make good money is severely limited: art photography books do not enjoy large sales, and traditionally have lost money due to production costs, exhibitions of art prints are few and far between, and still not widely accepted by art galleries, the general run of art connoisseurs, or even the general art viewing public, and print sales are often low or even non existent.

But for models with the right skills, physical attributes, and temperament, including coping with the often misinformed opinions of friends and family, and the barbs and arrows of an increasingly conservative society, it can still be a productive, and occasionally lucrative field to work in.

But of course, remember “horses for courses”, and common sense should reign supreme, so posing for the fat guy down the street with the greying comb-over pony tail, the "trust me I'm a Photographer" T shirt, and drool encrusted camera might be a clue as to whether or not to accept his really outstanding offer to "collaborate".

 
This part of the article should be regarded as a primer for what models can expect from photographers, an insight into how and where photographers supposedly make their money from photographs of hopefully you, and typical outlets for excellent photography.

Part three will explore some ways in which models can work in a truly collaborative way with photographers, and how they can cope with any problems which may arise, or any situations which they find themselves in, which may not be beneficial to them.


Stephen Bennett is available for Guest Speaking, Seminars, and Workshops in a group or on a one to one basis for:
Models and aspiring models on all things Modelling, including Successful Portfolios and Building a Modelling Career … please visit my website to contact me.


©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXVI
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 down-loadable 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:

Thursday, July 7, 2016

NUDITY: The Naked Truth (Part One of a Three Part Series)

(Nudity in this blog refers to all degrees of partial and full nudity, including Lingerie and other sheer or see through apparel, topless, full nudity; whether nipples and genitals are shown or not, and that genre, beloved universally and made ludicrously meaningless by amateurs: the genre rejoicing under the misnomer "Implied" nudity.)

The point of this blog has always been to expose, and to indeed ridicule the misinformation, weasel words, half truths, misunderstandings, debate, rumours, seduction and beguiling sweet-talk, nonsense and downright evil manipulations which models are exposed to in the present state of the photographic/modelling industry in a tongue in cheek and hopefully humorous way.

And at times provocative as well, as the one thing which seems to be lacking amongst models when bedazzled by the prospect of being made a star, by an outstandingly average snap-shooter, is thought. When hurriedly scanning the ridiculous and delusional snake oil of the tfp adverts, the BS detector apparently never kicks in.

Model Portfolios and Nudity:

And nowhere is this seduction of the aspiring and rather naive model more insidious than in the apparent "necessity" of posing nude.

Most aspiring models, never seem to get through even their first shoot without being told (never asked): “Just open your blouse for this shot, it 'll make it really great, and it will be great for your folio”...or “wow what this scene really needs is a nude girl, stretched across this rock. How about it? Give it a go?”

Next, nearly every model is told, that they will never get anywhere without posing nude, and many are threatened with the “fact” that they will never work with any other photographer if “you don't take your clothes off for my shoot'.

(This is usually uttered by the advocates of: “I am a professional, but every one else is just a dirty old man”)

Photographer's blacklists, facebook secret hate groups, and the fabled industry 'grapevines', seemingly exist solely to defame and vilify models and photographers who don't toe the imaginary line of the 'men of influence'.

However far from being the necessity it is touted by many photographers to be, any form or degree of nudity is always the model's choice.

Also rather than being "great for your folio" as so many insist, it is actually detrimental to the folios of aspiring models wanting to enter the legitimate or mainstream world of modelling.

It may indeed be "great for the folio" of male "photographers" of a certain age, replete with beer gut, greying ponytail, and a healthy dose of mid life crisis, but nudity should NEVER appear in any form in the folio of a beginner, or even experienced mainstream model, with only one exception, to be mentioned later.

One complaint voiced loudly and often on model website forums, emails to potential models and even made in comments on their profiles, is that models state that they do topless and nude work, and yet they have no example shots included in their folios.

Well these rather ignorant photographers should be made aware that the models are presenting their information and folios correctly in the sense that folios should never include nudity or partial nudity. if a model states that she is open to nude work, she can always supply examples to any legitimate enquiry from a photographer, although on these types of sites legitimate enquiries, and indeed legitimate photographers are few and far between, and all models should be aware of this.

To be fair legitimate and reliable models are also fairly scarce on these sites as well. And if a model is willing to do nude work, and has not yet done any, she should consider carefully whether unknown entities from these sites are the best choice to start.

Experienced nude models often have a separate folio of their nude work to show serious enquirers, only to be presented after normal folio has been shown, and more has been asked for...if not asked don't volunteer.

But then again experienced nude models know the photographers worth working with, and are not often tempted to work with unknown amateurs and fauxpros, or even to list themselves on such sites which are basically for amateurs, wannabes, and neverwillbes, from both sides of the camera.

A portfolio containing endless and usually poorly executed pictures of sugar skull make-up, zombies in front of graffiti covered walls, and fantasy warrior queens in amongst potted plastic plants instantly brand you as an amateur playing at being a model, but a folio containing nudity shows any wannabe model as a naive time waster, who knows nothing of the industry she wishes to be part of, or of how to present and market herself to industry professionals, without insulting their intelligence and professionalism. In other words: a would be high flyer who hasn't bothered to learn the standards and protocols or required behaviour.

The one exception as promised a few paragraphs back< is if a tear sheet from a photo session which has been paid for and appearing subsequently in a respected and reputable publication is included in the folio. Of course there are "horses for courses": a spread published in Playboy magazine is much more valuable in a folio than a gritty pic entered in a girl next door competition in an under the counter lad's mag: just as a page from a Victoria Secret catalogue holds more value than being featured in the set of girly pics handed around at stag nights by the GWC (guy with a camera) from down the road.

Don't get me wrong: there is absolutely nothing wrong with photography of the nude: and nothing untoward, naughty, dirty, cheap or tarty about posing nude.

In the right circumstances.

But every model who contemplates nude modelling should be aware of the different standards of respectability and acceptance by the photography viewing public, and the various publications which serve them.

So you have been asked, enticed, seduced, or bullied to pose nude: before you accept it is time to think!

I realise that the very photographers we are talking about here are usually the same ones who prefer models to NOT think, but to stand there and look good and nothing else: to "collaborate" as long as that means keeping your mouth shut, do as you are told, and keep your opinions and your "creativity" to yourself.

Part two of this article will cover what a model needs to know about the publications and markets for nude photography


Stephen Bennett is available for Guest Speaking, Seminars, and Workshops in a group or on a one to one basis for:
Models and aspiring models on all things Modelling, including Successful Portfolios and Building a Modelling Career … please visit my website to contact me



©Copyright: Stephen Bennett, MMXVI
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 down-loadable 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:

Picture of a tattooed cat from:
Copyright information was unattainable, despite all reasonable attempts to locate the owner.