(R3) Photoshop is not enough: Take 2
Now I can appreciate that applying Photoshop to an image can transform it beyond all recognition. It can hide all manner of physical flaws, it can sculpt the body, transform skin. You can even replace body parts.
The problem with this is that there are a growing number of models who now see Photoshop skills not as a means to fix problems on the day of a shoot, but to fix every single shot taken of them, and then they complain if you don’t.
It has created a growing culture of models who no longer care what they look like because Photoshop can fix it. You don’t see any photographs on their ports that are not retouched, and often you get one hell of a surprise when they turn up.
In the last year I’ve had to:
The problem with all of this was the attitude of “It's OK, I know you can fix it in Photoshop!”
While I can fix these things in Photoshop, I should not have to. It takes considerable time to make these fixes and it's time I don’t have. This type of work should be reserved for paying clients who have the right to have any post-processing they desire. Models should present themselves in perfectly groomed condition, especially when being paid.
Is it any wonder why I want to shoot virtual models?
Now don’t misunderstand me. I don’t expect models to be flawless. A surgical scar or a physical difference can add greatly to a photograph, and I don’t mind altering things for which the model has no control. This is not about being flawless but about presentation and not relying on Photoshop to fix things because they can’t be bothered to.
This is the fantastic Pirate Maiden. Perfect, with no Photoshop required!
The problem with this is that there are a growing number of models who now see Photoshop skills not as a means to fix problems on the day of a shoot, but to fix every single shot taken of them, and then they complain if you don’t.
It has created a growing culture of models who no longer care what they look like because Photoshop can fix it. You don’t see any photographs on their ports that are not retouched, and often you get one hell of a surprise when they turn up.
In the last year I’ve had to:
- Remove excess body fat. Not because it looked bad in the image but because the model didn’t think it was flattering enough
- Remove extensive bruising because the model thought it was OK to go kick boxing the night before a shoot
- Fix badly marked legs due to waxing the night before a shoot
- Remove fresh self harm scars
- Fix broken nails that weren’t manicured to take away the breaks
- Fix really, really bad skin
The problem with all of this was the attitude of “It's OK, I know you can fix it in Photoshop!”
While I can fix these things in Photoshop, I should not have to. It takes considerable time to make these fixes and it's time I don’t have. This type of work should be reserved for paying clients who have the right to have any post-processing they desire. Models should present themselves in perfectly groomed condition, especially when being paid.
Is it any wonder why I want to shoot virtual models?
Now don’t misunderstand me. I don’t expect models to be flawless. A surgical scar or a physical difference can add greatly to a photograph, and I don’t mind altering things for which the model has no control. This is not about being flawless but about presentation and not relying on Photoshop to fix things because they can’t be bothered to.
This is the fantastic Pirate Maiden. Perfect, with no Photoshop required!
Labels: modelling, Pirate Maiden
posted by Richard at 1:24 PM
4 Comments:
My favorite trick is to take the roll out of the camera, and ask them “Now how do you expect me to load this in Pshop?”
There seems to be really 2 sides to the problem that you mentioned, one, being the ill prepared for the day of the event, and the second are those that are ill prepared for what they really look like. The first, I’ll cut short, or tell them to reschedule.
The Second, well, it’s called excessive vanity, I cut those even shorter, and refuse to schedule again.
My perspective on this is really simple. I leave it up to the photographer to decide if something needs adjusting or not.
If I want to be part of their art, it's important for me as a model to understand how they like to work, and then go with it, and accept their approach. I like to work in all kinds of media, with photographers who have vastly different approaches to their work, and that includes post processing. I try to show up to a shoot as best prepared as I can be, I try to keep my body in the best possible shape and do my part to the best of my ability. I will always respect the photographers' approach to finishing the image from that point on and never expect or demand any special post processing just because. It's very simple, in my book. Never had an serious issues with this.
I had never really considered things from the perspective of the model who expects any and all problems to be fixed with Photoshop. I can understand what you're getting at - but as a photographer who makes prints in a real darkroom setup, I wonder how many photographers who shoot and/or print digitally are out there who depend on PS to fix their errors as much as the models that about whom you've written. If you're working with a net, mabye - just maybe (even if it's not done consciously) - you don't try to be as careful and attentive to things as if you didn't have one.
I used to have perfect skin, but after I had a baby hormonal changes left me with bad acne. I was always surprised that photographers still wanted to work with me after meeting me in person, or that a lot of them would approach me at group shoots and want to set something up for later.
I always did my best to camophlage any flaws with makeup, because I know it's a hassle for them to have to photoshop me.. and also, I've worked with many photographers who don't edit at all because they shoot film. Like Martin Class, who I got beautiful pictures from on multiple occasions, even though all he does is scan in the negatives.
I only recently (and I mean within the past few weeks) found a proven method that's completely clearing up my skin after exhaustive trial & error of different things.
But I do hear what you are saying, and my favorite photographer that I've worked with more than anyone (UIPhotos) simply refuses to photoshop models. When I was covered in scratches from a shoot I had on a farm, he left the scratches all over me, said they added character. I love all the images I've ever gotten from him, and I a lot of times am disgusted when photographers go overboard with the editing.. I sometimes like the unedited image I see them load unto their computer so much better.
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