I work with a lot of new models and just regular people who always ask me, "how do I pose?". As the photographer, I'm trying to move around and get an angle that is flattering for you. I'm thinking about the light, the background and about 900 other things. The magic happens while you are moving around. Yes, keep moving.
If you are a model you should be practicing at home before a shoot. Know what your best angles are, and be aware of how your face feels when you "look" your best. There will not be a mirror on set, so if you can remember how your face feels when you are in the right position it will show in the final composition. Keep your chin up to elongate your neck, and relax your jaw. I just really want to say this again, if you are a fashion model keep moving. Dance around move the clothing, get uncomfortable. Let me take 300 pictures in 3 minutes and I'll worry about making you look your best. If you look bad I look bad so we are on the same team. Smile with your eyes and work it! Modeling is pretty fun, so look like you are enjoying it!
0 Comments
Yarn bombing. During my trip to Fargo this past weekend I noticed something weird on the light posts... Elaborately knit flowers lazily dripping down over the parking signs. This is yarn bombing, but not the bombing I'm used to seeing the Twin Cities - this is far more decorative and sophisticated in form and presentation. This is part of an art installation by Mara Morken. A local artist who started doing citywide installations in 2012 which are fully supported by the city of Fargo. Here is the odd part however - she doesn't actually knit herself. The work is subcontracted, and then installed. While the work is cute and charming, lets call it like it is - this is a safe way of creating "street art". In fact due to its nondestructive and decorative nature I wouldn't classify it as street art at all. It has no message and well, is placed so high up that if you weren't paying attention you'd miss it all together. What do you think? Is this street art? Or is this public decoration? I personally do not think that anyone should be tweezing their eyebrows at home. Shaping the brow is best left to an esthetician. We all have a friend who spent too much time in the bathroom and effectively ruined the shape of the brow leaving them looking - a little crazy. I did this myself in High School and it was months before my brows returned to normal. If you've done this to yourself the tutorial below will help you properly reshape and fill in your brows. If you are having your portrait taken, but have opted not to have your make-up done by a professional please take note *fill in your brows*. It helps define the face enormously! Not only will it look great if you do it correctly, but it will give you a more polished final look in the photo. I never recommend you do your own make-up for a professional photo. I do think that if you are taking the time to hire someone, you should go "all in" and make sure your make-up is also flawless. The only way to do that is with a certified professional! The best analogy I can come up with if you skip hiring a professional make-up artist for your session is this: Not using a make-up artist for your portrait is like buying a car without tires. You can sit in it and look pretty, but its never going to get you to your final destination! I think the brow is the most important part of the make-up for photos. Then the eye. If you're apt at your current routine I recommend checking out Kandee Johnson's Youtube channel for more tutorials on make-up application and skin care. She is a professional, and takes her time showing you proper technique and application! And make sure you practice, practice, practice! http://www.youtube.com/user/kandeejohnson Nothing can be harder to watch than an emerging model struggling to strut her stuff down a cat walk. It's not unlike waiting for something terrible to happen - a car crash in slow motion. The whole time you are secretly wishing that she makes it off the runway without incident, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. I really root for this girl. I want her to succeed. But, like all things in life - we don't always get what we wish for. Let me tell you from experience, a tumble on the runway is hard to recover from. With the advent of the internet there really isn't a good excuse anymore for a bad runway walk. When I first signed with an agency I thought modeling was so easy. I showed up to a job, was pampered and the photographer made me look amazing. But when I was booked for my first Congress runway show I was in for a rude awakening. I spent hours perfecting my walk with a sadistic coach who refused to allow me to be runway road kill. And I was grateful for his diligence. After hours of practice, I was able to slip out of my Doc Martins (this was the 90's) and sashay with the best instead of teetering in 6" heels on the fast track to a broken ankle. If you're just starting out, I highly recommend practicing in varying height heels so that you can be ready for whatever a designer or stylist throws at you. Remember, posture, posture, posture and confidence is key! |
Elle HallsDESIGN TALK Archives
July 2023
Categories
All
Mailing list: |