Today’s Post by Joe Farace
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.— Mark Twain
In my book Joe Farace’s Glamour Photography, I wrote about the TFP (Time for Prints) concept when working with models, that nowadays is just shorted to TF, The Time for Prints concept may have initially started with the photographer providing a model with prints from their shoot together but nowadays includes digital delivery on some form of digital media. The content of that media can vary based on whatever agreement you make, in writing, with the subject.
UPDATED: Although the way I work may be changing, based on what I have alluded to in some previous posts—details when I have them— these days almost all of my photography is done for online use.
When I do a glamour shoot, I don’t deliver any kind of prints or proofs to the models that I photograph. Instead of proofs I give them their choice of a CD or flash drive that contain each and every JPEG file that we make during a session. I download all of the RAW+JPEG files that I shoot into a folder that identifies the model and then copy all of the full-size JPEG files onto their choice of digital media, This is handed to them immediately after the session to take with them on the day of the shoot.
I know that some photographers only provide low-resolution images for TF shoots. One model told me she only got one photo from a TF shoot she did. It was “a great shot,” she told me but nevertheless she felt cheated. Some photographers only include a few retouched photos of the photos they like. Me? She gets every JPEG image file I make. If the model asks I’ll retouch selected images for them using the techniques that are covered in an entire chapter in my book. (see below) But lest you think I’m just pimping my book, you can find lots of retouching tips on this blog for free. Let the Search box be your guide.
How I made this portrait: I photographed Erin Valakari with a Panasonic Lumix GH4 with Lumix G VARIO 14-45mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (at 45mm.) Lighting was provided by a Paul C Buff DigiBee DB800 with Plume Ltd Wafer softbox with an Alien Bee B800 used for fill. Exposure was 1/125 sec at f/6.3 and ISO 200. The Background is a two-sided Lastolite Urban Collection backdrop; this side is Distressed Paper, the other side is Graffiti. This background, for some reason, no longer seems to be available although I did see one selling on eBay. Maybe it’s because photographers, like me, have beat it to death with overuse. If that’s true, I apologize.
While some photographers and models like to make the TF process complicated, I think it all boils down to a simple trade of services: A TF shoot recognizes that both model and photographer’s time is valuable. The model receives a CD or flash drive containing all the JPEG image files from the shoot and the photographer gets to work with the model. A typical TF shoot provides both subject and photographer with photos they can use in their portfolios but like any contract you and she can negotiate so that you both get what you want.
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My book Joe Farace’s Glamour Photography is full of tips, tools and techniques for glamour and boudoir photography and includes information on all of the cameras used as well as the complete exposure data for each image. New copies are available from Amazon for $26.92with used copies selling for $8.84, as I write this, which is a bargain no matter how you look at it. The Kindle version is $19.99 for those preferring a digital format.