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Stare vs. intense look in a model?
What creates the feeling in the viewer that there is intensity/electricity in how a model looks at a camera? This might all be in my head, but if I look at an ad using a model in a magazine like Vanity Fair, her expression seems so focused. It's not a blank stare. While I first think that the look is connected to her pose, I sometimes think that even head shots have this magnetism. Can some of you pros help me out? Mar 12 10 02:54 pm Link Good model expressions come from the space between the ears, not from just the face muscles or eyes. Mar 12 10 04:21 pm Link if you want to really improve the look of a model. You should make sure that the model is well rested and well hydrated. Visine can help in making the eyes more refreshed and clear. Nothing worse than a models eyes that are bloodshot and tired looking. Also the attitude of the photographer makes a major difference in a appearance of the model. If you make the photo shoot interesting and make her feel comfortable or he you will have a more successful photo shoot. Mar 12 10 05:09 pm Link Leonard Gee Photography wrote: +1 Mar 13 10 11:21 am Link when the models love you.... they look at you like they love you....  lol Mar 13 10 11:27 am Link RobertGaliano wrote: Even if I don't love them I look at them like I do Mar 13 10 11:31 am Link in all seriousness, getting the expression or look you want comes from you getting it out of them, not telling them what look or expression you want. Mar 13 10 11:33 am Link Funny -- this is the typical stare I get when I try to get models to do the Vogue look  Typically I find telling them to think there is a [ insert item here ] sitting over there and to focus as if staring at it, gives the best blank and emotive stares that don't look like a 2x4 just whacked them in the back of the head.     Mar 13 10 11:36 am Link DigitalArticulation wrote: That's amazing. It really made me giggle. Thanks for that. Mar 13 10 11:39 am Link RobertGaliano wrote: This really is a lovely photograph. Mar 13 10 11:39 am Link Thank You! Mar 13 10 11:42 am Link I tell models that what they are thinking, comes out through their eyes For a blank stare, think duh,duh,duh,duh. For intense, think, I'm gonna slap you till yo mama feels it!! The eyes are truly the window to the soul!! Mar 13 10 11:48 am Link DigitalArticulation wrote: Threadjack. these are awesome. Mar 13 10 11:52 am Link  while looking at the camera... or anywhere else! Mar 13 10 12:00 pm Link To me, the "trick" is to photograph people who have something on their minds, who are thinking about something. So, the simple answer is to talk with them. Mar 13 10 12:10 pm Link Looknsee Photography wrote: ... or blindfold them! LOL Mar 13 10 12:28 pm Link Leonard Gee Photography wrote: +2 Mar 13 10 12:35 pm Link Let me see if I can't help you out from a layman's point of view. Remember the first time you went to a night club, and was standing at the bar, and someone of the opposite sex was looking across the bar at you and licking their chops? That was INTENSITY. Now remember at the restaurant when the waiter/waitress was waiting for you to place your order as everyone else at your table already had and you were still undecided? That my friend, was a STARE!! Mar 13 10 12:36 pm Link When actors prepare a role they always know what the character they are playing is doing. They prepare a seamless flow of activities. Which is necessary, because if the character is just there they have nothing to act. This is most complex in stage acting, where some actors are out there on stage for an hour without a break. In film it's just the length of a take. With photo shoots it's just that fraction of a second, but that fraction of a second still has to be taken out of a flowing process, of an activity. This is why posed shots look so generic. It's just a pose with nothing behind it. I always felt that the best models have acting training. Why some models can just stand there and do nothing and still are engaging? Maybe they are so relaxed that their inner processes are never interrupted. It's just flowing. Which is actually the goal of every actor. Why are they just models, and not actresses? Because they cannot depict another person and can only be there as themselves. Which is obviously enough for those top models. Mar 13 10 02:09 pm Link RobertGaliano wrote: When you shoot with experienced emotive models you should be able to ask them for looks in their repertoire and beyond. Mar 13 10 04:55 pm Link I've learned to get to know the models as soon as you can. Bring some snacks (or at least have plenty of water available) but since a lot of people work well with music, find out what type of music they like, or dislike. Nothing is more bothersome than trying to get someone into a mood and then a song they hate comes on. It may be a bit tough at times, but always make the model feel like you like them.....even if you don't really. Dislike and tension make for really tense and not so nice pictures. Mar 13 10 05:07 pm Link  Mar 13 10 05:12 pm Link jessica arlette wrote: true Mar 13 10 05:12 pm Link I love models eyes, so I try to make sure they are always in focus and don't have the deer in the headlight stare. I just keep talking to the model until I get the "look" I was looking for!  Mar 13 10 05:19 pm Link 
Model Posts: 2116 Novolazarovskaya - permanent station of Russia, Sector claimed by Norway, Antarctica RobertGaliano wrote: that looks to me more like "snap the f-ing picture already, my neck is getting sore" Mar 13 10 10:31 pm Link I've ALWAYS noticed that the best shots in my shoots tend to come half way through and towards the end. It has a lot to do with the model becoming more relaxed and confident which aligns with her inner emotions told through the eyes. On a side note, my best and typically favorite images are when they start laughing because of something funny. When those moments happen, I tend to fire off several shots back to back and once in a while, you get a perfect capture of expression really showing a wonderful candid. Mar 14 10 04:58 pm Link Dutch Elm wrote: It's a combination of photographer and model and how well they connect, but I give 90% of the credit to the model when it works. Modeling is a lot like acting, and good models understand this: Mar 14 10 05:35 pm Link I'd agree with others here. It's the connection that the model is making. I've found that once they know what you're looking, experienced models usually do it naturally. For those who aren't as experienced, it usually only takes a few words "Give me your eyes ... I want you to look at me .. look right through this lens and at me .. right into my eyes ..." Something along those lines usually works for me. Remind them they're not looking at a piece of gear .. that they need to make a personal connection.    -=>D Mar 14 10 09:41 pm Link Thanks for all your comments and ideas. While I figured that a professional model does something new and different, I guess it is my job to be a good communicator and director. I recognize the comments about having a rested, trusting model. And I agree that the good stuff happened after a while during the shoot, not at the beginning. I didn't think about needing to hydrate the model. Vaughn Mar 16 10 10:35 am Link This is one of my faves  Mar 19 10 01:24 pm Link Leonard Gee Photography wrote: This, but that doesn't mean it can't be taught. Intensity isn't expressed with the eyes, but the body. Slightly tensed muscles communicate potential energy just waiting to be unleashed. Don't overdo it, but slightly tensing the shoulders and keeping the neck and mouth tight (nothing looks blanker than a slack jaw) without being strained, will help. Mar 19 10 01:40 pm Link like the one here 18+ http://modelmayhm-8.vo.llnwd.net/d1/pho … 7167c6.jpg It takes thought Mar 19 10 01:46 pm Link have them look just past the lense AT something in their mind It depends what they pretend they are looking at and what they are thinking I even have 3 popular ''signature smiles'' that work on this principle Ken Chen smile, (gentle and sweet like looking down at a child) Stan Schutze smile (excited and happy with delight) and normal MB smile, which is 'glad to see you' smile  For fierce and intense... the possibilities are endless! Mar 19 10 09:59 pm Link For me it's about getting my Barry White thing going. Then it just seems to happen, you know?  Mar 20 10 09:37 pm Link For me, it's when the camera is more than just a lens. It's when I let my face and body tell the truth, instead of twisting into a pose I "think" might look good Mar 20 10 09:45 pm Link It's all about the connection with the model:  Mar 20 10 10:00 pm Link |
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I've never produced a blank stare unless that's what was asked of me.
