Ugly people

[Kees Terberg]

This is pretty harsh but I am just wondering how others deal with the subject. I am an amateur photographer and a member of the Jersey Photographic Club. We recently had a model night at one of the Islands manor houses. The surroundings were absolutely stunning and even the weather participated. There were about 10 photographers and 16 models. Unfortunately not all of the models were stunners. Some of them were... ehh.. a photographers dream under different circumstances. How come that a photographer like myself looks at pretty girls first to create a good portrait before even considdering photographing someon who is not as fortunate with their looks... Is it really a photographers view that counts or does the subject matter play a bigger role than we would like to admit?

Kees

I would attach a photograph but have not yet discovered how to do this. Perhaps someone could point me in the right direction.

[Leighow]

If you were a pro you would make sure the models matched your image/target objective, etc ... a la Tenerife & his Sarah (see his posts).

But I guess someone gave you a mized bag. Certainly we see many photos of individuals who are not "movie stars", but they can be in settings that reinforce the overall image. Alexandra has posted such examples in links to her galleries made on this site. see... http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3684#23749

Even so, I suspect that it is human nature to pick the beauties when that makes sense. Lord knows, I sat out many a Sadie Hawkins dance!

To load an image "mimick" the syntax found under "help": I use this one:

[img*]*http://blah.com/blah.gif*[*/img]

Be sure to omit the asterisks.

HOWIE

[Warman]

Try and make the picture interesting? I don't know but sometimes you look at a picture, even if the person isnt pretty or atractive, and it talks to you! The local people gallery mentioned above is just one of those examples.
An expression is worth everything, some people naturaly pose well for the camera others don't (regardless of beauty). Its your job to make them pose well and capture that special expression/moment...
i guess!

[tenerife]

You now what photography is...

a moment of live.....

of your, the model - or all the little thinks arround you..

Dont think - shoot - all the beautyfull thinks arround you...
just for fun just to keep one moment of time...

becorse nothing comes back...

regards from tenerife
Klaus

[John_T]

The first question that arises for me is what was the point of the model night?

1. Getting a date with a model

2. Working with models

3. Making a flattering portrait

4. Portraying human nature

et cetera

Each has it's incumbent considerations, but whichever it is, perhaps other than number 1, it shouldn't make any difference how the person looks, rather how you can most effectively work with them to achieve your objective. If you are going to photograph people, either you need to connect with them, or, to catch them naturally, play fly on the wall.

[Kees Terberg]

Cheers for the replies. The model nights are there to help new photographers work with a model in front of their camera. Believe it or not but if you are new to portraiture, taking the tictures can be just as nerve wrecking as standing on the other side of the camera. I am also aware that it is the art of taking photographs that counts and not so much the beauty of the subject but my eye tends to automatically vere off to the more pleasing people to look at before I press the shutter...

Kees

[Kees Terberg]

Mimicking the syntax... does that apply only if you have a website or is there actually a way of uploading like you usually do with an e-mail attachment? As you might have gathered... I got stuck again.

Kees

[stopbath]

Why would a photographer gravitate towards a pretty or handsome model than an average or less than average looking model.

I can think of one reason: Ease of photography.

It is much easier to snap a photo of a beautiful person. The subject does all the work! Well, not really, but the jobs half done.

With a less beautiful subject, the photographer does not have the 'great looks' as the subject, they need to think of how to make this less than remarkable subject remarkable... Perhaps it's a story, a mood, a look, or a feature, but it takes more work than just 'flip you hair back, and put your hand like this...'

There are ample instances of 'ugly' people making wonderful subjects in photos.

[stopbath]

Kees Terberg wrote:
Mimicking the syntax... does that apply only if you have a website or is there actually a way of uploading like you usually do with an e-mail attachment? As you might have gathered... I got stuck again.

Kees
The photo must be on the web somewhere already before you can link to it. You can't upload photos to the forum. Check out the Help link at the top of this page for help during editing if you need it.

[ryuwulf]

ive seen some people who look dull with the naked eye, but thru the lens they are so photogenic.

Seriously, it all depends thru the lens. Back when i was in school, i shot a couple of pretty models, but they just didnt come out right on film.

Nudes also work well with just about anyone.

[jasonco]

I also find that a soft lens can often help too... worsed case senario there is always the lens cap... :-)

[perfectpixel]

that's why I always stay behind the camera :)

[MrPogo]

ryuwulf wrote:
ive seen some people who look dull with the naked eye, but thru the lens they are so photogenic.


I also know people the exact opposite. One girl I know, who actually works as a model full time, looks absolutely stunning in person, but always looks plain at best in photos (to me at least) :S (and no, I haven't shot her myself, I couldn't afford to ;) :S).

[jinzou]

hrm. I think I'm of the opinion that you could capture beauty in anyone. A person who isn't the "ideal" weight size can produce some images with lovely curves if photographed the right way. And in good lighting, you could do a lot with a person with stronger features.

I agree with who said that sometimes it's just easier to take a picture of a [socially acceptable] prettier person. The viewer's focus goes straight to the person's attractiveness and everything else is generally left alone.

Though I haven't had much opportunity with models, I'd rather have someone with more character than just another face in the crowd.