WHY I DON’T EDIT MY PHOTOGRAPHY!
Controversial opinion, female directors have a better eye for model photography. Let me tell you why.
You see me rock up to the studio, the first thing you will see is my dress sense. Not one shoot has anyone seen me in baggy, tasteless clothes. I arrive looking like you can’t afford to hire me. And what does that tell you? It tells you that I have been up at all hours cleaning myself, selecting what to wear, applying the makeup, wear the selected clothes, preparing breakfast for my son, all whilst coming up with concepts for how an image can look and how I’m going to tackle this shoot.
What do you think goes on behind one photo?
Well, believe it or not, I have a whole team behind me, from stylists to lighting gaffers, they are literally the skeleton of my work. Honestly, if I didn’t have the list of people you see below, I would struggle.
* Make-up artist
* Lighting Gaffer
* Hairstylist
* Costume stylist
* Set Designer
* Intern
* My Producer, Gareth (can’t cope without him)
Your standard shoot would have a white backdrop and Bob’s your uncle it’s simple and there’s not much to it. However, I am not a fan. I like gorgeous designs, but not too busy because the main focus is the model and that’s what’s always important. So with my team behind me doing all of the structure of the set and work with the model, it truly elevates the image to a higher plane.
Now, make-up. I have all the faith in my make-up artists, but as a director, I want to know exactly what is happening, especially, and most importantly, how my model looks. Not to shade the straight male directors, but I would have a better eye if the model doesn’t look quite right when make-up is applied.
Now if you want a fandabbydosey image, you need to work a fecking camera. Simple as that. What lens to use, the angles you take. I am in love with my Sony a6500 with my Sigma 18-35mm 1.8f lens, can’t use it enough for my filming and photography. Also, trust me, models have good and bad angles, communicate with them on what they are, work around their imperfections and make them perfect.
All of these elements will equate to a high quality, orgasmic image that would not need extended work done to it, maybe sometimes a wee tad of a skin touch up but that’s it.
Below is an example of a shoot, shot in our BMV Studios, with Wine Knocker in collaboration with JAMMco. Enjoy!
Author: Loraa White & Gareth Greenfield
