Camerosity wrote:
Before the shoot (sometimes weeks before the shoot) I start talking with the model about genre (singular or plural) for the shoot. From genre we go to concept. From concept to wardrobe, mood, etc. We exchange images or links to images that convey look and feel, because words are subject to interpretation (or misinterpretation).

By the time of the shoot, we should know why we're there, what we're doing and in what order.

I go over these things again at the beginning of the shoot.

Once the shooting begins, in most cases, direction is minimal.

Frame-by-frame direction is only needed with a brand new model – and not always with them. Frame-by-frame direction is more like a portrait sitting than a model shoot.

As I see it, there is a natural division of responsibility. The photographer conveys the look and feel that he (or the client) wants. The model models. The photographer shoots and gives minimal direction when needed.

If you’re working with an experienced model, just tell her what the job is. You don’t have to tell her how to do the job.

Here are the stages of modeling as I see them.

Stage 1 – Deer in the headlights. Maybe 30-40 percent of models go through this stage, and for most it’s over before the end of the first shoot.

Stage 2 – Tell me what to do. The model needs to be posed one part at a time. “Relax your hands. You don’t want your fingers splayed like that. More your left hand a few inches toward your waist. Tilt your head to your left. No, your other left...”

It’s difficult to get photos that look relaxed and natural (let alone unposed) at this stage.

Stage 3 – Canned poses. The model learns a few canned poses and cycles through them at each shoot.

Stage 4 – Modeling in motion. The model starts with a pose and makes 1-2 small, incremental changes after each exposure. An incremental change (often accompanied by a change in expression) might be moving one or both arms, changing the position of her legs and feet, turning or tilting her head. The list goes is endless… and the model can strike a theoretically unlimited number of poses.

At this stage, the model knows what works with poses. She can “feel” a good pose and falls into good poses instinctively.

The objective is for the model and photographer to be in sync and in rapport so that things can just flow. Direction at this stage might require 1-4 words. Long dissertations break the flow – or prevent it from developing at all.

Shooting a set may begin fairly slow (6-7 poses per minute). When everyone is in sync, it may increase to 12-15 ppm. The fastest I’ve experienced was about 20 ppm (once), based on the time stamps on the image files.

Since I raise the camera up to focus on the model’s nearest  eye before each shot, then frame the shot (sometimes after zooming in or out), and since the strobes (on less than full power) have to recycle, that’s about the highest speed that’s practical.

The objective is not speed. The objective is to have the rapport and sync that allow things to flow. The rapport and the flow are the important things. You don’t even have to get to 10-15 ppm. You just have to let things flow.

These speeds don’t happen with every model, every set or even every shoot. Maybe once or twice per hour of actual shooting time. When they do occur, they last maybe a minute at the most. That is the climax of the set. If you don’t have the shot by then, you’re not likely to get it.

After that, you let the camera dump the images from the buffer to the memory card, regroup, move to another spot (if you’re on location), shoot the next look or pull out the release for the model to sign and call it a day.

Once the model masters Stage 4, she can put her body on autopilot and focus on facial expressions.

Stage 5 – Mastery of Stage 4, plus the ability to give good expressions that are consistent with the concept, setting, mood (including lighting, etc.) and purpose of the shoot, time after time.

Obviously a model who is at Stage 5 is very skilled.

I can get more and better images of a model who's at Stage 4 or 5 in five minutes (and sometimes in a minute) than with a model who's at Stage 1 or 2 in an hour.

Frame-by-frame direction is Stage 2 modeling – whether the model is capable of a higher level or not.

There is a place for Stage 2 modeling - when you're going for something that's extremely specific or shooting to match an art director's sketch exactly. But most of the time that's not what you want.

Freaking brilliant post, man.
I think you've got it spot on.

And, this, ladies and gentlemen, is the value in hiring an experienced model; get what you're going for quicker and perhaps better than you imagined it in the first place.
Winsauce.

Mini_ wrote:
I usually prefer to get some autonomy when shooting (unless it's something super conceptual/one complex shot). You booked me to do my job, so some freedom will get me in the right flow. However slight adjustments like the angle for the face or bodyposition can make all the difference between a good and a great shot, so things like that are great when pointed out. Otherwise just a general idea of mood and expressions beforehand or a general description/story order is all I really need.

Example: "We're going for a very natural, girly look. no contrived angular poses or angry/arrogant faces. start in this corner and then slowly walk towards there, you can play with wardrobe a little" > then shoot!

Between shots: "chin more up/down", "turn a bit further away with your body away from the lens", "relax shoulders".

If it's something you especially like and want me to work further with: "YES!", "play with that"

THIS

If someone started saying things to me like: "You are Queen Sheba, trekking through the desert with your caravan. It is hot, and your camel stinks. You want a  bath, and the thought of cool luscious water on your hot, sweaty olive skin makes you shiver in anticipation... feel the shiver, but be uncomfortable, camel stink offending your delicate queenly nostrils." I would get creeped out.

Mea Culpa wrote:
If someone started saying things to me like: "You are Queen Sheba, trekking through the desert with your caravan. It is hot, and your camel stinks. You want a  bath, and the thought of cool luscious water on your hot, sweaty olive skin makes you shiver in anticipation... feel the shiver, but be uncomfortable, camel stink offending your delicate queenly nostrils." I would get creeped out.

Remind me not to book you for the upcoming Sheba shoot.

Just kidding...

Camerosity wrote:
I'm more likley to say "move closer to the car" - or use my left hand to gesture directions. Saves time, and no translation is required.

Just a small comment: I am almost blind during a shoot, since I prefer not to wear contact lenses as they just cause too much eye irritation. I can see a hazy photographer shape, the lights, and a dark camera blob, but everything else is an undefinable blur. I ask photographers not to use gestures to direct me, or refer to objects besides the lights or camera to look at,  because I cannot see them at all. A clear loud direction is hugely appreciated.

Mea Culpa wrote:



Just a small comment: I am almost blind during a shoot, since I prefer not to wear contact lenses as they just cause too much eye irritation. I can see a hazy photographer shape, the lights, and a dark camera blob, but everything else is an undefinable blur. I ask photographers not to use gestures to direct me, or refer to objects besides the lights or camera to look at,  because I cannot see them at all. A clear loud direction is hugely appreciated.

Understood.

One of the best llamas I've worked with (my avatar) is legally blind. But she is a mind-reader. She requires almost zero direction.