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Collaboration!
I love to collaborate with other artists, models, and groups. It gives new energy to the work I do. Recently I did a photo shoot with Ron English of Popaganda – Art crimes fame! http://www.popaganda.com/. Ron and I have a lot of ideas in common although he has them better refined than I do. This shoot gave me the opportunity to work with an artist that really has brought his work to the front stage of the American public. He just had a show in Denver for the Democratic National Convention. Ron travels all over the united states putting his work on display.
McCastle © Ron English 2008 & Diplomats & Lawyers © Bill Young - Figurative Photo 2008
Ron English’s work reaches into the lexicons of big Business, Politics, and Religion. You may not agree with the message Ron puts out in the world but, his methods are effective and most would agree very artistic. Some people say it isn’t art unless it has a message, some say art has to stir the sole, and some say art just has to be beautiful. I believe the best art does all the above. Although I am not sure what the message was for the Mona Lisa or the statue of David? As we look at them today many find a message that reaches to their own beliefs.
Most artists don’t have the opportunity to collaborate with a great artist like Ron English but, we do have the chance to learn and progress and collaborate with other artists. Some times it is just taking a known piece of art and creating something new from it. I think we all have something to learn from the works of others. I have been working on a project that is similar to the work of Boris Vallejo – http://vallejo.ural.net/1997/ for a couple of years now. I am not looking to create the same images just something similar to the style. I have never met Boris Vallejo but I still love and learn from his work.
Teefa's Dream © Boris Vallejo 1997
If a master artist doesn’t come to town to work with you study the work of those that you do like and feel free to incorporate their work into your own. You don’t have to copy it as closely as some of the examples I am showing but, you can follow the style as you feel fit. Now get out there and create something amazing!
David by Michelangelo & Worth 1000
MonaLisa by Peg, Leonardo Da vinci, & Fernando Botero
Some people would look at the above images and say the artist just copied the originals. I would say that they are very different and at the same time the new images couldn’t have been made if the original didn’t exist. I see this as a collaboration of efforts, at the same time I should point out that a true collaboration would require that the two artists work together at the same time or at least with permission of the other artist. Who knows perhaps Leonardo & Michelangelo would have provided permission if they were alive? Then again perhaps not?
Let me know what you think! Feel free to comment on this or any of my blogs! Oh, and tell your friends about them as well!
Peace,
Bill
Hello:
It is amazing how creative the modeling world can be. I have been very fortunate in finding great models. I like to work with my models and use ideas that they come up with. Finding a creative meeting point really does make for better photographs when all is said and done. I am in the process of searching for models for a series of photo shoots similar to the work of Boris Vallejo – http://vallejo.ural.net/1997/. I am looking for a broad range of models male and female athletic to curvy, young (Must be over 18) to old, I would love to find some great models in their late 80’s or older. I want to create the images I have in mind but, I also want to create images that are of specific interest of the models.
Jeremy hoody © Bill Young - Figurative Photo
So people ask where do I find models?
1. Via my website – I have a page on my website dedicated to finding models. I have found a few of them from that site. They visit, read what I am looking for and if they feel they are good for a project they contact me.
2. Other websites – I have a presence on other websites that are dedicated to helping models and photographers get together and build collaborations.
3. Referrals – Many of my models recommend to their friends that they should model for me. They say, I am fun, professional, and easy to work with. This really makes a difference and helps people want to model for me. Some of my friends recommend people to me and some times other photographers will make a recommendation.
4. Finding people on the streets – The main source for models would be my friends and strangers that I find in public settings. I have found them at parks, restaurants, museums, and just out shopping. This is probably the best source I have had!
Batwoman © Bill Young - Figurative Photo
What do I look for in models?
1. I want models that show up on time and are ready to work. If for some reason they can’t make it they need to call and give me as much notice as possible.
2. I want models that are creative and open to the photographic process. The models need to know what is expected of them and then be willing to provide that. If I am looking to do a sports shoot I don’t want my model to show up and state they can’t do the sport due to a bad back or not knowing anything about the sport. If they are there to do a fine art nude shoot they need to be ready to get naked in front of the camera. If a model has a problem with a shoot they need to tell me in advance. Some times models change their mind when they arrive. As long as I know in advance that they haven’t done the type of modeling I am asking of them in advance I am usually comfortable with that change. Some times models say they have experience they don’t have and then I have different expectations of them than they are ready to bring to the set. This is not a good situation! Just make sure you know what you are getting into and be ready to bring yourself to the shoot ready to model for that shoot!
3. I am comfortable with models bringing an escort to a photo shoot but, I do like to know in advance that they are going to arrive. Generally speaking the escort shouldn’t be anyone the model is romantically involved with.
4. I really like it when the models work with me on a shoot. If you have ideas for a shoot let me know and let’s work to create the images I want as well as the images you want! If I am setting up a sports shoot and you want a fashion shoot let me know and let’s set up one of those shoots!
5. I like it when things are clear about compensation! Most of my models do a trade for pic and/or CD photo shoot and that is the extent of the compensation. If you expect money for the shoot I need to know before we meet for the actual photo shoot. I seldom pay my models but, there have been a few exceptions for specific photo shoots.
6. I always expect my models to sign a model release and to bring a photo ID and/or parents if you are under the age of 18. I expect to be able to photograph the model with their ID and take a separate photo of the ID proving that they are the one signing the release and of legal age to sign. If you don’t want to sign the release I am not interested in doing the photo shoot!
What is tfp/tfcd?
Trade for pic (tfp) is where the model gets prints in exchange for modeling. Usually I provide one print for each hour of modeling. tfcd is Trade for CD of the images. In this case I give the model a CD of all the images without any touch up on them. Some times I will include one or two that have been touched up. The CD images are for use in promoting the model. They can put them on their website or send them in e-mail but, they are not to be printed. I reserve rights to all images that I take at all times. Some times depending on the situation we may have shared rights to images. This is usually when the model is paying for the photo shoot.
If you are a model how can you set up a photo shoot with me?
Send me an e-mail and let’s set something up. If you fit in one of the projects I am doing or if I like the projecdt you want I will usually do a tfp/tfcd photo shoot with you. Or if you want something that doesn’t interest me but, you are willing to model for the projects I am doing then we may be able to do a tfp/tfcd photo shoot. If we are just doing a photo shoot for you and your interest then I would charge for the photo shoot. The price for a photo shoot depends on a number of variables but we can usually set something up that you will be happy with and meets most budgets.
If you have questions contact me at figurativephoto@aol.com and let’s talk about them!
Peace,
Bill Young
