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Poll: Tattoos (help or hurt model's marketability?
I am a figure (nude) photographer. I'm curious as to what other figure photographers think about nude models with/without tattoos. Here are the responses to the poll: A. I strongly prefer figure models without tattoos. B. I usually prefer figure models without tattoos. C. No preference D. I usually prefer figure models with tattoos. E. I strongly prefer figure models with tattoos. Please respond with one of the above choices. (my response is "A"). This is for figure modeling, I realize it is a totally different topic when it comes to clothed modeling. Mar 25 13 08:00 am Link I don't like the way you framed the questions "B" or "D" but i would have to answer "B." That, however is an inaccurate answer. I am sure that I book more models with tattoos than without. Mar 25 13 08:03 am Link Tattoos rock! I'm going with D .. not always but if I get the chance.. Mar 25 13 08:04 am Link A K wrote: where are the tattoos located? Mar 25 13 08:29 am Link Mark Laubenheimer wrote: I may work on a more detailed survey... for now just curious about some basic info. Mar 25 13 08:38 am Link A Tattoos naturally draw the eye to the tat and that's not where I want the eye to go. Our eyes are naturally drawn to contrast in an image. Mar 25 13 08:45 am Link It depends on what I'm shooting for. My fetish work, always; fine art, not so much. Mar 25 13 10:28 am Link i enjoy a more natural look but most of my llamas (and paying boudoir customers) have tattoos (sometimes a lot of them) so i'll just go with the flow. Mar 25 13 10:46 am Link A If you're shooting the figure, tattoos are a huge distraction. If you're shooting tattoos, that's something other than "figure modeling." Mar 25 13 11:06 am Link B Mar 25 13 11:15 am Link C. Tattoos are mainstream these days. I have one on my chest and when I modeled, I had a couple photographers photoshop it out, which is fine. I think tattoos bring out the model more because it's an expression of their life. It's like a picture book on skin. I can see why photographers that shoot art nudes don't generally like them since it is about the nude body and the tattoos can be a distraction. For me, I don't have a preference. If the model is heavily tattooed and we are shooting art nudes, I find it more expressive since the ink are telling even more of a story. Mar 25 13 11:19 am Link I would say about 2/3 of the models I have dealt with have a Tattoo somewhere on their body. So for general work C. Mar 25 13 11:26 am Link A K wrote: Sometimes, I believe that people who ask questions like this already have a good idea of what they want the answer to be. Mar 25 13 11:40 am Link If I'm counting correctly, so far: A 3, 43% B 2, 29% C 2, 29% D 1, 14% E 0 Mar 25 13 12:09 pm Link Unequivocally A. Mar 25 13 12:39 pm Link None of the above. My clients prefer models without. I, personally, like tattoos. My opinion doesn't matter. Mar 25 13 12:51 pm Link A Mar 25 13 01:06 pm Link A. Mar 25 13 01:09 pm Link A Mar 25 13 01:52 pm Link A K wrote: "Where it's located" is basic info. Mar 25 13 01:53 pm Link A Mar 25 13 02:07 pm Link Yeah, you need one or two more options. If the model only has a small bird or something on her upper back rt or lt shoulder, or very small one on upper arm or ankle, it usually doesn't destroy the composition too much. Small of the back, any size is a deal killer. Navel area, any size is a deal killer. Otherwise, I generally go with A. Mar 25 13 02:12 pm Link E I strongly prefer models without tats for most projects. However, since such models are difficult to find, I often settle for models with small tats that can be photoshopped out if necessary. So, the reality is for me that a model having small tats only hurts her marketability a little. Having large tats is a deal killer for me, not matter how much I otherwise like the model's look. Mar 25 13 02:25 pm Link a qualified C... i don't mind ink if it's interesting and well done. Mar 25 13 02:40 pm Link A Mar 25 13 02:42 pm Link Yes it does hurt. The model must exceptional to over power the Tattoos. If not its just another tattoo girl. I know three models that regret get getting them. Even in acting I know a lot of girls who cover them up. Am I against tattoos? No. I have a few tattoo Girls in my midnight express account. Again the exception being they are stunning with a very strong look Mar 25 13 02:51 pm Link A For fashion & beauty related figure work, I strongly prefer no tattoos. For other work, it depends on both the project and the tats, though I still prefer not to deal with them in most cases. Mar 25 13 02:59 pm Link B For myself, for things such as art, fashion, commercial, or vintage works, I would much prefer that the model not have tattoos. Often when they are present, it gives something the photographer has to try to work around, either in angles, poses, or in Photoshop, so it is often that it can make things more challenging than they would be otherwise. At the same time, I acknowledge that for alternate and even glamour works, they could be attractive/add character or attitude, AND I am certainly appreciative of the fact that many tattoos have personal meaning or stories behind them, and respect that they can have great meaning for the subject. It is just strictly from the standpoint of discussing an "ideal" situation or factors that there is the reality that tattoos can be inconvenient and/or inappropriate, so naturally it is a source of irritation and annoyance for photographers who have trouble finding tattoo-free models (especially since it appears that women getting tattoos has become more common over the years.) Mar 25 13 03:02 pm Link i love A. some ink is ok, but i prefer without. Alaska is harder than most when it come to models, so we work with what we have. some of the girls have nice ink, but in general i would like the least possible. Mar 25 13 03:02 pm Link Answer...A for the nudes.. B...for everything else Mar 25 13 03:05 pm Link A. Tattoos are the number one reason why I turn down models for paid shoots. Mar 25 13 03:07 pm Link A Mar 25 13 03:07 pm Link For the record though, there is a difference between a model with a turtle on her ankle and one with a sleeve, a full back piece or a combination. Your question is "usually prefer" but makes no distinction as to the amount or nature of the ink. Nor does it allow for what you usually work with, which could be different than what you prefer. Mar 25 13 03:37 pm Link A (I tolerate small tattoos if I can pose the model so they don't show) Mar 25 13 03:46 pm Link Viral Photo wrote: That seems to be true on MM, but, when I get models from Starnow, tattoos are rare. Mar 25 13 03:49 pm Link "F" Mar 25 13 03:51 pm Link No tat's if possible. But who has clear skin anymore??? Mar 25 13 03:55 pm Link A Mar 25 13 04:01 pm Link Some American politician once said (severely paraphrased)… “only dogs take poll seriously… and what do they do, they p*ss on them” OP – it’s your choice who you shoot with, but by limiting yourself you just may be missing out on many exciting opportunities. Mar 25 13 04:04 pm Link I made a little survey, if those who respond in the future prefer to give more detailed input. link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2B9SLB6 Mar 25 13 04:08 pm Link |