Need tips on doing 'glamour shots'

[Mya]

I am posting this on several different forums because i am not sure which category this post should go in. I have a friend who has a very unusual face and i would like to take some photos of him because i think he would make a great male model. I would like to take some glamour shots of him but dont have a camera and dont know where to start. I could take him to those glamour photographers but i dont like the fact that they all insist on keeping the negatives (isnt that illegal?).

Because he is young and inexperienced in the working world, it is apparent that he may get taken for a ride by certain people/organisations. i want to be his manager/agent but first those photos....

since we dont have a studio and all that we'd have to make do with our own backdrops, i dont know where to begin! Will appreciate any suggestions. Thanks

[jpatokal]

You can't become a photographer just by snapping your fingers. Photographers like to keep negatives because then they can use them elsewhere and/or charge you for copies, but to get the negs yourself all you need to do is pay them a little extra. If one photographer won't, find another who will; it's a buyer's market out there.

Also, I'm not quite sure if we're on the same wavelength, but in most of the world "glamour" is pretty much a code word for "soft-core porn", and if you want to shoot nekkid people then Singapore's strict laws will come into play...

[Mya]

You can't become a photographer just by snapping your fingers. Photographers like to keep negatives because then they can use them elsewhere and/or charge you for copies, but to get the negs yourself all you need to do is pay them a little extra. If one photographer won't, find another who will; it's a buyer's market out there.

Also, I'm not quite sure if we're on the same wavelength, but in most of the world "glamour" is pretty much a code word for "soft-core porn", and if you want to shoot nekkid people then Singapore's strict laws will come into play...

Well, you have a warped mind JP so its understandable that you would think "glamour" means "nekkid" people. this guy has the most amazing face.. not handsome in the sense but really unusual face structure and as u know there are male and female models out there who arent 'beautiful' in the conventional sense but they have good bone structure (and sometimes and attitude that goes with it. Not a bad one mind you,just a 'cool' one)

I will take note of your advice on the photographers.. i am considering buying a camera to just take some shots myself first..

He was approached by a talent company some years ago and said he wasnt interested at that time but will consider it now. However there are those out there who will take advantage of a lad who doesnt have too much of education academically or in life, so am just helping him be aware.

[jpatokal]

Well, you have a warped mind JP so its understandable that you would think "glamour" means "nekkid" people.

No, for once I'm being serious. Check this encyclopedia definition if you don't believe me:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glamour_photography

The first line says, and I quote: Glamour photography is the photographing of a model (usually female) nude or semi-nude, in a way that is intended to be erotic.

So if you want to take pictures of your guy's face, then go ahead, but don't call your pictures "glamour" unless your target market is gay porn.

[Mya]

Sigh! i know what you mean JP but you know there is a studio here called "Glamour Shots" or something which takes 'normal' photos.
And whilst those in the know will consider the term to be about erotica, others will just consider it as a 'glamour' shot, pictures of plain people made up to look glamourous and having their photo taken!

I am not the only one who uses the words "glamour shots" and understands in to be just that. there are others in singapore and the world who do too. What can i say, once gay meant happy, a fairy was someone from Hans Anderson and Enid Blyton, Puff the Magic dragon was my favourite song but the warped minds changed all their meanings!

[Fiip]

FYI I don't know what's the law on image in Singapore but in France (& I'm almost sure in a lot of other in Europe & perhaps US), Photographer IS the owner of the picture he takes.

This means that films belongs to him as long as he decides to sell them but usually for far more than a simple print on paper.

The only thing that is not allowed is to publish pictures of somebody in Public papers / magazines / internet without it's agreement.

That's why usually photographers don't give their films.

Just my 2 cents...

[jpatokal]

Copyright law for photos is insanely complex and varies a lot from country to country... if you're taking pictures of anybody for anything remotely commercial, it's best to cover your ass and get a model release from them.
Otherwise you might end up with a nice shot that you can't sell:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=298177

[nabia]

Hi all...

I am a internationl freelance photographer and did a lot of those "glamour shots" for wanna-be model, actors, dancers..etc.
In that photo-fashion world, glamour pix means "making an impact"... not necessarily in the nude!! LOL
Basically the pix have to make the model look his -her best with as many as possible poses, expressions, and see how well he-she feels confortable in front of a camera...and how well he-she communicates, charms and shows off!!

believe me it is not as easy as it may sound... and I think it is 50% the responsibility of the photographer and 50% of the model.