Workshops

By: Blue Note Images

What about workshops?  Well, they are a great way to meet other models and photographers, thats what.
There are typically between 4-15 photographers , you get to work with most, if not all ofthem,and you get at least a couple pictures back from most of them ( make sure to pass on your card/contact info...otherwise how do they get hold of you?) It can also lead to individual work with particular photographers.
You get to meet other models, and see how they move and work- which can help you refine your own look as well.
The only downside is that there is GROUP of photographers,all trying to get their shot, and hearing the different directions all at once can be confusing.... the best groups are the ones that give each person a turn to direct, so as to make it easier for all involved.
How does one get involved?  Keep an eye on casting calls, and if any of your regular photographers teach as well...ask! They might not know if you are interested, unless you do!

Some workshops even pay, but at the very least, they are typically TFP.

Workshops...they are worth it!

Another Birthday

Photo by Michael Barton Art 

Well, another birthday is here. ( for the record I am 42... and found out I share a birthday with Paul Sr. of Orange County Choppers lol)

There are many people (  women AND men) that birthdays are scary, or depressing.  Why? because you are a year older? that IS a reason to celebrate! you are a year older! You made it!  Another birthday is certainly better than the alternative!

My hubby made me a wonderful, touching,nerdy card. ( Zazzle.com, you can make your own cards...how cool is that? )
"You are my 42"  " My ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything"  How cool is that? I love him...for reasons like this and so many more !


I have found that so far, my 40's are the best time of my life... I am working at doing something I love ( totally unexpectedly) I feel more secure in myself,my relationship with my husband, with other people. I feel as though I am more fully "myself " than I ever have been.  Not such a bad thing, now is it?

Age is just a number...not a definition. Define YOURSELF.

What did Auntie Mame say? " Life's  a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!"   Eat life up! Go where it takes you! LIVE ,  LOVE and never, ever stop Laughing!

Noir

Photo by: Mike Liberacki ( SnackKing) 

Commercial VS Art Modeling

Photo by: Cadence Gamache ( Now Mccarrell Photography) 

                           

Photo by: Michael Barton Art

 I ,personally want to experience and try my hand at as many different aspects of modeling as I can.  One difference that many new models don't seem to get is the difference between ART modeling and COMMERCIAL modeling.  These two pictures are a good example.

Now that is not to say that commercial modeling cannot be artistic, or art modeling can't be commercial- that couldn't be further from the truth . But on the whole there are things that go into different categories,  that are styled differently,and done differently. Be aware.
One key is  lighting, as you can see is very different, the finishing is very different.  The general purpose,of course is very different.

Obviously Art Modeling is all about the image, and can be moody, and heavy on shadow ( or not,it is of course ART after all)  It can be simple, or not, depending upon the artist. It can be heavily phtoshopped, or not at all,depending on the image, the model sometimes,unrecognizable as the model, or sometimes even as a human figure.

Commercial modeling is to showcase either clothing, or the model themselves.  The shadows tend not to be as deep, the skin is flawless, the background may or may not be more simple, however.  It is the kind of photography you typically see on billboards, in magazines, in model portfolios.  It is retouched,cleanly, and again the focus is on the model.

I enjoy doing both.( though to be honest, I probably enjoy art modeling a touch more.... but I think that is indeed the artist in me, and I know I enjoy making darker images more)   I enjoy looking at both...but KNOW what your photographer does best, and know what type of image you need for submissions or portfolio or whatever you are planning to use your image for.  Educate yourself about what you need.  

Film

                     Photo by Michael Barton ( with actual film in his Great Grandfathers 4x5 camera)
                     HMUA: Self

Fishnet

                            Photo by: Michael Barton Art

Just a peek

                            Photo by: Michael Barton Art

Vintage Hollywood

                             Photo by G&D Studios

Dramatic Shadows

                                                             Photo By Michael Barton Art