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Some photographers like to use props. They might use them for a specific theme, to create a natural looking image or just because it increases posing possibilities. Props can really add something to a picture, if used properly. On the other hand, it’s pretty embarrassing to be pictured holding a guitar in a way you simply can not play it.
Today’s modeling tip is a very simple one: practice. If you’re planning a themed shoot, ask the photographer what props will be used and practice holding them. Use a mirror to check how you look. If you are not sure how to (hold a guitar, for instance), go look for images in magazines and on the web. Better still, ask someone who does know how to hold the specific prop.
For non-themed shoots, make sure that you know how to hold props in general. Below is a top ten (in no particular order) of items you might want to practice on. You might not have all of the items available at home, but that’s not the issue. You can practice your poses on anything of similar size. In fact, if your guitar-act is convincing on a broom, it will surely be convincing on a guitar
Stool or chair
cigarettes
flowers
food (fruit or candy)
a glass (wine, champagne, cocktail)
guitar
tools
studio equipment
sports equipment
weapons
Photographers that sell their pics on microstock sites know that their pics are being used. Most of the time, we do not know how and where though. At iStock, they have the so-called designer spotlight. Designers can show how they used pictures they bought from iStock. I think designer spotlights are pretty cool. Not only do they tell the photographer how the pic was used, they also tell you in a more general way how stock photos are used and give a clue of what designers want.
One of my pictures recently made it into the Design Spotlight. Designer Ruth Cepero from Publicus Integrated Marketing used my bell pepper slices in a menu for Flamers Charbroiled. Click on the picture to see the Menu. The bell pepper slices only play a minor role in the rich decoration of the border, but that's fine with me. It's always nice to know how my pics are being used.
You are what you eat. Well, I am not advising to have models for breakfast of course, but you will have to be aware that whatever goes in your mouth affects the way you look. A couple of simple tips might help out here. The nice part is, they will also keep you healthier in the long run.
Water
Water is dangerous stuff. You can drown in it. But drinking it is okay. In fact, you should drink two litres of water every day. Water helps your body to hydrate your skin and to flush away unhealthy stuff that would otherwise be harder to get rid of. Water also helps you to stick to your diet if you are on one, as it fills your stomach.
Don’t starve yourself
There is nothing wrong with dieting per se. Let’s face it: modelling is about looks, and a good figure is part of that deal. There is a limit though: you should make sure that your body gets all the necessary ingredients. And yes, this does include some fat, as well as carbs and a fair number of calories. If you are on a diet, you are probably trying to look slim. If you follow a starvation-diet, you will look slimmer, yes. And you will also look unhealthy and unhappy. So don’t go there, it’s not worth it
Do you have a sensitive skin?
Do you believe that eating pork or chocolate causes spots? You are wrong, or at least partially wrong. Air pollution and bacteria coming from your hands, your hair, etc. are among the causes, as are genetics and hormones. For some people, food can influence hormones enough to cause spots. So if you see spots, think of what you ate the days before. If you get spots every time after you ate pork (or anything else for that matter) your hormones might be sensitive to that specific food source. For most people however, skin problems are not about food, but about skin.
Quit smoking
There is no easier way to say this: smoking ruins your looks. It makes you look older and gives your skin a greyish cast. I know this is a useless tip. If you don’t smoke, you won’t need it. If you smoke, you don’t want to hear it. Addicted people are deaf to rational arguments.
And what about alcohol?
Wait a minute. You just told me to quit smoking, and now I can’t even have a drink? Relax, you can have your drink. Yes, alcohol is poison, but the human body is quite capable of coping with it, provided we don’t overuse. You should be beware of the dangers of alcohol though. First –and this may sound strange- alcohol makes you sleep bad. True, it helps you to go to sleep easily, but at the same time it degrades the quality of your sleep, and hence your looks. Second, alcohol will make you want to eat fat things. Nothing wrong with fat as such, but not the wrong types of fats in large quantities at a time of day when your body is not burning too many calories anymore. Third, heavy drinking will cause your blood pressure to rise, at least temporarily. The veins in your eyes will snap, causing red eyes, and you won’t feel too well. So don’t drink heavily the day before you go shooting. In general, just be careful. A couple of glasses is okay every now and then, excessive use is not.
More resources:
Extensive article on food and exercise for models
Beating eating disorders
Skin care
