Level 3 Photography resources: Working with Models

Working with models (professional practice).

Composition and posing

Composition is the placing of the subject within the frame when shooting pictures creating an aesthetically pleasing balance between the other elements within image.

One of the first sessions you'll do on the course where you'll need to pose other people and work with composition is the session where you'll be shooting with the Pentax K1000 camera. You'll be given the task to shoot against a specific background and told to shoot your images composing them using 2 compositions. Shoot 12 shots one way using 4 or more models (People from your class) and then another 12 using your second composition.

Click on image for source

The top 2 are good choices

(A) Make sure you 'Crop' just below the hands and leave a small gap between the top of the frame and the models head.

(B) Make sure you crop just cutting into the arms either side and leaving a gap between the top of the head and the edge of the frame.

In this first exercise we aim to produce an 'Objective' neutral image of each of the models we shoot. This is also referred to as 'Deadpan'.

The pose should be consistent for each of the sets of 12.

The model should not smile, they should not clench fists, they should look directly into the camera.

No lanyards and if possible no labels or designs on the clothes.

The approach to shooting the image should be as neutral as possible - so that anyone looking at it, has very little sense of who the person is.

This approach is influenced by set of historically important images shot by Thomas Ruff in the 1980's . Click the image below...

This approach is interesting when applied to different subjects where it's not the expected approach. The usual expectation of a portrait is to be far more subjective where there is an effort to show the character of the person in the image. This approach attempts to remove many of the usual conventions seen in portrait photography by using a systematic mechanical method seen in portrait photography. See here

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7e2f0140f0b62302689b37/Photoguidance_v7.pdf

This Neutral, matter of fact, no drama approach is known as 'objective' and can be one of the ways that you approach any of your images of people in a range of situations. The lack of drama or narrative is added by the use of neutral flat light (Diffuse light) and a lack of colours in both the background and the clothing selected.

If your stuck with ideas for poses in any shoots, this can be your go to method of getting started. I'd always recommend shooting some image in this way in most of your shoots involving people.

Posing models______________________________________________________________

With professional models this is easy, it's their job and they'll show up with ideas of their own as to how they should pose. You'll probably have your own ideas and the model will go along with what you want generally.

With people that don't model this becomes challenging and you'll have to spend time directing and helping them to achieve what you want, but you also have to keep in mind, they'll soon lose any enthusiasm at the start of the shoot if you seem to be struggling with ideas or with all the other things you have to deal with (Light/cameras/lenses etc).

There are a few things you can do to problem solve these scenarios...

(1). Try and establish a group of people in your class or other classes (Actors/dancers/fashion students) that are OK with posing and modelling and work with them - giving them copies of your pictures.

(2). With people that are more nervous try and do practice shoots with them before any well organised and important shoots.

(3). Do a 'Go-see' with any new models, this is a casting, where you talk to the model, tell them what you are going to do and what you're hoping to achieve. Shoot a couple of pictures of the Model during the go-see - a full length shot and a head and shoulders shot, these are essential for your design sheets and is a quick taster for the model where you'll be directing them and telling them what to do. You'll also get a sense of the model and whether you feel like you're going to get on with them.

See the video here for the Photographer Jurgen Teller's take on how the project 'Go-Sees' came together.

Click on the image to go to the video

(4). Use pose reference images. If you research using Google Poses for fashion or full length fashion poses you'll find loads of ideas with regards to poses, Pintrest has hundreds.

You can point your model to these beforehand and suggest they try them or have these ready printed out on the floor where the model is going to pose, so that both you and the model can refer to them. Many photographers scan books and magazines before shoots to generate ideas for posing. Or you could compile a folder or a look-book and save a whole selection of images to refer to (Problem solving and professional practice).

Professional Practice - Booking models______________________________________________

In many instances when models are required, this is handed over to the studio/photographer to manage and deal with. My wife is a studio manager at a local studio and this is the process she's been involved in recently.

For a shoot that they've done recently for a client, a range of models were required for the shoot over 3 or so days. The requirement was that they would need 6 models, three each day. The budget was limited so there was no money for styling or make-up.

The model agency was contacted and initially 40 models were requested with the following instructions...

"The models need to be 25-35 years old, bring 3-4 changes of clothes - smart casual office wear, including jeans and chinos for the men, no ripped jeans, smart trainers and smart office shoes, women need to bring a range skirts, tops, dresses, several pairs of suitable shoes. Make up and hair needs to be natural".

The London based agency then look through their database ensuring that the models are available on the days of the shoot and are able to travel to the studio in Essex. 40 Models were then forwarded with their details and the digital version of their comp card images on the agency website.

The client was then contacted and they asked for the models to be short-listed to 20 and they'd then look at the models, my wife then chose who she thought the best 20 were, and forwarded these to the client. Then between my wife, the photographer and the client they whittled down the 20 to the 6 that they then booked.

The fee to the client was per model - £750 a day + travel and expenses with the rights to use the images for 2 years on the clients website and social media.

Model releases and rights of use contracts__________________________________________

A model release form is a legal document that grants a photographer or other content creator the permission to use a person's image or likeness for specific purposes.

It's essentially a contract between the model (the person being photographed) and the photographer, outlining the terms of how the image can be used. This includes:

Purpose: Whether the image can be used for commercial, editorial, or personal use.

Scope: Where and how the image can be published (e.g., print, digital, social media).

Duration: How long the photographer has the rights to use the image.

Compensation: If any compensation is involved.

Why is it important?

Legal protection: A model release protects both the photographer and the model from legal disputes related to the use of the image.

Clarity and consent: It ensures that both parties are clear about their rights and obligations.

Commercial use: If the image is to be used for commercial purposes (like advertising or product promotion), a model release is often required to avoid potential copyright or privacy issues.

In essence, a model release form is a safeguard that ensures both the photographer and the model are on the same page regarding the use of the image.

https://gemini.google.com/app/ad8f16283c4ba76c

Examples of model releases can be found below. The AOP (Association of Photographers) is the industry standard version here in the UK.

https://www.the-aop.org/uploads/appendix.pdf

https://rps.org/media/4kvcamlr/rps-model-release-form-pdf.pdf

Top Tip - When you're doing your own shoots in the studio with models - as a minimum make sure you identify the use and knowledge of a model release and if possible try and get the models to sign the release in return for images.