Posted by NuruExpressions: 
... some kind of filtering mechanism to intimidate the amature GWC.

Do I look intimidated? Dude, I am fearless. If any of these models are trying to scare me away with that kinda stuff, they're just missing out. When I'm famous and driving around LA in my ferrari while Eminem waits in my studio for a shoot, they're all gonna be biting their nails going, "DAMN! I shoulda shot with GWC when I had the chance!"

My cell phone's ringing, I bet that's Angelina Jolie calling me back for the TFP I've invited her to! BRB!

GWC

Posted by NuruExpressions: 
I see this a lot on profiles. If I didn't know any better, I would think that people are just copying each other thinking that this is some kind of filtering mechanism to intimidate the amature GWC. Unfortunately "exceptional" is not what I see in the portfolios of many of these models who request it. So again I ask, what is an "exceptional photographer"? Be careful of what you think your standards are. You'll miss many opportunities of some good shoots. 

So the models don't have exceptional work?  Maybe that's why they're asking for 'exceptional photographers'. 

Don't know why this bugs you.  It's fair enough for any model, from rank amateur to pro, to NOT have some guy, just learning how to operate a camera, contacting them.  If their standards are too high, then no one will photograph them.  It all works out in the end.   

BTW, I do note that the guys who  bitch the most online about how models are too picky tend to be GWCs, so we must all be careful how much complaining any of us do hahahaha!

Posted by F.Y. Hamada: 
the guys who  bitch the most online about how models are too picky tend to be GWCs

I am totally not complaining! I have tons of HOTT (

Posted by F.Y. Hamada: 

Posted by NuruExpressions: 
I see this a lot on profiles. If I didn't know any better, I would think that people are just copying each other thinking that this is some kind of filtering mechanism to intimidate the amature GWC. Unfortunately "exceptional" is not what I see in the portfolios of many of these models who request it. So again I ask, what is an "exceptional photographer"? Be careful of what you think your standards are. You'll miss many opportunities of some good shoots. 

So the models don't have exceptional work?  Maybe that's why they're asking for 'exceptional photographers'. 

Don't know why this bugs you.  It's fair enough for any model, from rank amateur to pro, to NOT have some guy, just learning how to operate a camera, contacting them.  If their standards are too high, then no one will photograph them.  It all works out in the end.   

BTW, I do note that the guys who  bitch the most online about how models are too picky tend to be GWCs, so we must all be careful how much complaining any of us do hahahaha!

No one's bitching or complaining here. I'm just asking a simple question.

Posted by Mary: 
1)  knows lighting
2) knows compostition
3) knows good makeup and and styling when he sees it.
4) understands what a glamour model is, a fashion model, a commercial model.  Understands the industry enough to know who works for what shot.
5) knows how to present his book to clients, his book has nothing but perfect shots in it, not one B  model can be found in it.
6) He can shoot what you ask for and not just what he is good at. 


I know a real pro when I look at someones work and it doesn't all look the same.  (insert model here)  you know, the ones that shoot the same lighting, same scenery, same stuff over and over.

7)  He is as good at natural light photography as he is in studio.  Look around at portfolios, 90% of the photographers are great at one and suck at the other.   Its the difference between understanding lighting (the really good photographers) and  learning a set formula (most)

Thank you. Now do you think those characteristics (which should be a standard for all photographers) is what these people have in mind when they're asking? I really don't think so.

Posted by Mary: 
1)  knows lighting
2) knows compostition
3) knows good makeup and and styling when he sees it.
4) understands what a glamour model is, a fashion model, a commercial model.  Understands the industry enough to know who works for what shot.
5) knows how to present his book to clients, his book has nothing but perfect shots in it, not one B  model can be found in it.
6) He can shoot what you ask for and not just what he is good at. 


I know a real pro when I look at someones work and it doesn't all look the same.  (insert model here)  you know, the ones that shoot the same lighting, same scenery, same stuff over and over.

7)  He is as good at natural light photography as he is in studio.  Look around at portfolios, 90% of the photographers are great at one and suck at the other.   Its the difference between understanding lighting (the really good photographers) and  learning a set formula (most)

hey mary... love the work you're doing...
just wondering how do i score on your *exceptional photographer skills torture test*?
i'm really serious about this... no joke... i value your opinion as a working pro mua...
rick

Posted by Cameron Watson: 
man my spelling sucks... does it reflect in my photography?

Only if you mispell your copyright.

Posted by Star: 
an exceptional photographer is one who can put her legs behind her ears...

or is that model?

hey, nobody said anything inflamitory, I felt ...

used....

:-)

Star

and I didn't even have to ask for one!

Posted by Cameron Watson: 
I cut and paste my copyright

Rick, living down the road from you ... you are exceptional !!!
I  mean that from bottom of my hear which is deep inside my body... your work rocks man..

we have shot the same models on ocassion, my work pales by comparison!

hey cameron... i was just about to look down the road to see if i could see you and then i looked at your profile and saw that you meant down the road as in down the road hamilton way...
thanks so much for the compliment...
yeah i see that you've shot with ashley k... but you shot her nude so you're one up on me there...
and i wouldn't say your work pales by comparison, it's just different... you're all about natural light and natural locations, i'm all about fake light and (mostly) fake locations...

Posted by GWC: 
...When I'm famous and driving around LA in my ferrari while Eminem waits in my studio for a shoot...

Was that you I saw on the 405 today leaning out the window with a camera phone?

I'd love to get as much Nokia as you, dude.  You ARE hot!

Posted by rickOPIOLA: 

Posted by Cameron Watson: 
I cut and paste my copyright

Rick, living down the road from you ... you are exceptional !!!
I  mean that from bottom of my hear which is deep inside my body... your work rocks man..

we have shot the same models on ocassion, my work pales by comparison!

hey cameron... i was just about to look down the road to see if i could see you and then i looked at your profile and saw that you meant down the road as in down the road hamilton way...
thanks so much for the compliment...
yeah i see that you've shot with ashley k... but you shot her nude so you're one up on me there...
and i wouldn't say your work pales by comparison, it's just different... you're all about natural light and natural locations, i'm all about fake light and (mostly) fake locations... 

Rick ... apparently 'exceptional' photographers do both in and outdoor, available and manufactured lighting well... if we join forces we will be the super heroes of photography, exceptional under ever circumstance and can conquer the world!

Or we can share a beer on a patio somewhere comparing notes of our ashley's...

Posted by Cameron Watson: 

Rick ... apparently 'exceptional' photographers do both in and outdoor, available and manufactured lighting well... if we join forces we will be the super heroes of photography, exceptional under ever circumstance and can conquer the world!

Or we can share a beer on a patio somewhere comparing notes of our ashley's...

you know i was actually scheduled to do a shoot with ashley this morning but she cancelled because she had a fever and was feeling a little dizzy... i told her (jokingly) that all models get the fever and feel a little dizzy when they're going to shoot with me... she laughed but didn't go for it so we'll be rescheduling sometime soon...

Posted by Cameron Watson: 

-lighting ok, some like shaows some hate them? perspective? style?
-composition is relative
-make-up and styling is relative
-fashion and glamour are distorted terms at best by  ...       today's standards

Lighting, composition, perspective, and style are all relative to the one element: "Does it work"? If it doesn't, the parts didn't work--and therefore, the image didn't work. "Exceptional" artists often break what seem to be rules in order to achieve a higher result.

Makeup and styling: same as above. If looking slapped-on is what's called for, it should look that way. If looking like there's no makeup is called for, it should look that way. Yup. It's all relative: does the makeup and styling make (or at the very least, permit) the image to work?

Failure to satisfy all the above simply means the images won't be consistently good-or-better. If that's what you meant by 'relative', I guess it is.

Fashion and glamour may be distorted terms, but in a professional environment, they often have very distinct meanings. Not recognizing the scope of either in that environment is risky. (Choosing not to call something that is another matter.)

The last element I don't consider critical for 'exceptionality'. It's quite critical for professional usage, though, in either fashion or glamour. ("Senior photographers"--photographers who photograph high school seniors--are often excellent photographers, for example, but they rarely  "get" fashion. [If their claims for 'fashion photographs of Seniors" is any indication, at least.]) But they can often be very very very good at photographing people to flatter their looks--thus, perhaps, being 'exceptional'.

Chris Ambler
... I politely declined, telling her, "Your profile says you only do TFP with exceptional photographers. I'm hardly exceptional, and I respect your limits, so I must politely decline."

Delightful. Bravo.

Posted by alexwh: 
In my line of work as a magazine photographer in Vancouver who works for magazines cross Canada and abroad there are three factors that make or break one.

1. Make an appointment with photographic subject on the phone without offending or alienating him or her.

2. Show up on time. This really means that the photographer goes on onother day to case the joint and decide where to shoot. If the photographer meets with subject, all the better. It also means that one researches subject as the key to a successfull shoot it communication with subject.
3. Produce ONE useable shot that need not be artistic without any excuses and no failure. This means that one takes backup equipment and many plans B.
I have observed many photographers arrive in Vancouver and most have left as few had all three qualities which are definitely a key to success.

Alex you make things sound just so easy!! (:---

Posted by NuruExpressions: 
I see this a lot on profiles. If I didn't know any better, I would think that people are just copying each other thinking that this is some kind of filtering mechanism to intimidate the amature GWC. Unfortunately "exceptional" is not what I see in the portfolios of many of these models who request it. So again I ask, what is an "exceptional photographer"? Be careful of what you think your standards are. You'll miss many opportunities of some good shoots. 

I totally agree about missed opportunities.  It's time for a serious reality check.  Far too many of these "models" have more ego than common sense.  Exceptional models rate exceptional photographers.  Ever heard of working your way up or crawling before you walk, ladies?

Posted by Mary: 
1)  knows lighting
2) knows compostition
3) knows good makeup and and styling when he sees it.
4) understands what a glamour model is, a fashion model, a commercial model.  Understands the industry enough to know who works for what shot.
5) knows how to present his book to clients, his book has nothing but perfect shots in it, not one B  model can be found in it.
6) He can shoot what you ask for and not just what he is good at. 


I know a real pro when I look at someones work and it doesn't all look the same.  (insert model here)  you know, the ones that shoot the same lighting, same scenery, same stuff over and over.

7)  He is as good at natural light photography as he is in studio.  Look around at portfolios, 90% of the photographers are great at one and suck at the other.   Its the difference between understanding lighting (the really good photographers) and  learning a set formula (most)

Posted by Mary: 
1)  knows lighting
2) knows compostition
3) knows good makeup and and styling when he sees it.
4) understands what a glamour model is, a fashion model, a commercial model.  Understands the industry enough to know who works for what shot.
5) knows how to present his book to clients, his book has nothing but perfect shots in it, not one B  model can be found in it.
6) He can shoot what you ask for and not just what he is good at. 


I know a real pro when I look at someones work and it doesn't all look the same.  (insert model here)  you know, the ones that shoot the same lighting, same scenery, same stuff over and over.

7)  He is as good at natural light photography as he is in studio.  Look around at portfolios, 90% of the photographers are great at one and suck at the other.   Its the difference between understanding lighting (the really good photographers) and  learning a set formula (most)

Fabulously put!!! I second your comment without any doubts ; )