Andy Draper wrote:
I think someone has to die to open a spot there. Would you leave that job?

No doubt!!!

That or just go knock on Hef's door and ask

Andy Draper wrote:
I think someone has to die to open a spot there. Would you leave that job?

lol.

even if they paid minimum wage....they'd never be short on photogs lol

MelissaLynnette LaDiva wrote:
I love this place.

Yesh.

Dobias Fine Art Photo wrote:
They use photographers?  When did that happen?  I thought they only hired airbrushing experts.

That joke is about...at least 10 years old now.

Anyway, you become a photographer by knowing people, getting an in and auditioning.

Frame O Mind wrote:
Almost all their images are identical

Not really.

W  A  L  K  E  R wrote:
How do you become a photographer for "Playboy"?I have look on the internet unsuccessfully

Can anyone tell the process?

It's not what you know that matters, it's who you know.  The door is extremely narrow, but a lot of people want to squeeze in. 

But if you really want to give it a try without knowing anybody in there, have about 6 breathtaking 8x10 prints/shots and submit them by mail (make sure the models are ok with you sending their pictures in).  Your shots should be in "Playboy style" and not some funky-looking/artsy pictures which you think are breathtaking.  The address is in every issue.  Mississippi River is the demarcation.  West side photogs submit to Los Angeles.   East side photogs submit to Chicago.  The rest is up to them.  Best of luck.

Bruce Talbot wrote:
Playboy is really no different than any other major magazine.

1. Become familiar with the various editors and their departments, prepare a submission on par or beyond current content, send it in and don't expect it back*.

2.  Do not waste time with queries afterwards. No response is a response.

bt





(* in a perfect world, including a return mailer would elicit a return of your goods. but then, that defeats the purpose of submitting in the first place.)

DING...DING...DING...We have a winner!

Frame O Mind wrote:
Almost all their images are identical, I wonder if they editors have the photogs sit down and say this is what we want.

I knew this thread was going this way.

Bruce Talbot wrote:
Playboy is really no different than any other major magazine.

1. Become familiar with the various editors and their departments, prepare a submission on par or beyond current content, send it in and don't expect it back*.

2.  Do not waste time with queries afterwards. No response is a response.

bt





(* in a perfect world, including a return mailer would elicit a return of your goods. but then, that defeats the purpose of submitting in the first place.)

/thread

Gil Lang wrote:
I would say you can't get hired there but who knows but you know...it looks a lot more glamorous than it is.I can't remember the name of the guy but he was saying that the majority of girls they shoot(Playmate)aren't model at all.They are next to traumatise to be naked in front of  a couple of guys.They don't know a pose so it takes a while to pose them and then...the girl sneeze and they have to start over all again.For the center spread and cover shot,they use next to 36 individual flashes.So,they start with a few then take a Polaroid and see where it's too dark and add a flash here and there until they got it right so...say goodbye to spontaneity.

There was an interview with a playboy photographer in a magazine a while back (I can't remember the name) but there was a shot of a centerfold he had done, and then a shot from further back showing all the lights, stands, reflectors, and everything else surrounding the model. I've never seen anything quite like it, this poor girl was standing in the middle of this nest of stands, with lights all over the place. I wish I could remember where I saw it, it was a fascinating photograph.

Gil Lang wrote:
It seems that they don't allow Photoshop(even though there's a debate on this)in their work so instead of burning,dodging here and there with Photoshop,they do it at the shoot in adding flashes where needed...even though the guys who buy the magazines only look at the same tiny spot :-)

Yes they have all the lighting in the world.. hair, make-up, body make-up, etc. but how stupid do they think we are? Of course they retouch! Just look at the shots and it's crazy obvious they whiten the teeth (usually pretty poorly IMHO) and eyes. That's the tip of their retouching iceberg. Their lighting is beautiful (although predictable) I'm not taking that away from them, but  with regards to the girl's skin, eyes and teeth.. come on!!

They can say what they want with regards to their "no retouching" policy and the general public will probably believe it, but don't try to fool other photographers who know what to look for.

Gil Lang wrote:
It seems that they don't allow Photoshop

***snorts***

Gawd, I love this place.

MelissaLynnette LaDiva wrote:
There is an episode of GND where Holly is helping to choose the next centerfold or whatever and the set up at the studio is extensive.  Then again, PB's lighting is not for the feint of heart.  Nor is it easy to duplicate.

Is that the episode where her bumbling ass knocked down the lights?