5/6/2018 0 Comments Editing verses photoshop!Good morning. Today's topic is on photoshop. I really feel the need to cover this subject, and look at it from different points of views. All the topics I cover, I always cover them from different aspects, and try to keep out emotions as much as possible. There are so many levels of photoshop, different techniques, different processes, different software, different editing apps, and difference is personal taste. Before you ever even book a date with a photographer you've never worked with before, ALWAYS research their past and current work. Ask a variety of essential questions. Do NOT wait until during or after to ask important questions, or go over your goals for that particular shoot. To be on the same page, and assure you'll receive the quality and style you desire, ask several questions, and show image examples to your photographer. Unfortunately I've done the research 1st, asked the essential questions, and shown exact examples of what I'm looking to create, and the goals I'd like to achieve, for that specific shoot, and did not receive what was expected or planned. But, for the most part, that is a rare occurrence, researching and communicating in detail has worked 7, or 8 times out of 10. What I've never once in all my years of modeling, heard a photographer say, no they can't produce that level of quality. Yes, I've heard, they are brand new to pinup, brand new to the world of publication, or that they won't shoot sexy content. But, no one has ever looked at the examples I've sent, before the shoot and after researching them, and been honest and said they are unable to produce that quality. So, that's when trust comes into play. I've seen good to great quality photography, maybe not excellent, fabulous, flawless, and extremely high quality, and of course expected that same level of quality, however I received a lower, or even much lower quality. Again, it's rare but it's a chance taken, and thars why I began showing exact examples. If you are a professional model, I can think of a million styles of modeling that, definitely require editing. Obviously in the world of publication, it's not only standard, it's a requirement and demanded! When I think of actual photoshop, I think of a higher skill level needed, different software often expensive, needed. I think of special effects, adding props, taking away props, making the models body parts bigger or smaller, adding a curve to the waist or back, changing her hair or eye color. And when I think of photoshop, I also think of the process of extracting the model, then placing her on a different background. That can take real skill, real time, and not with regular retouching software. There's no way I'd ever expect images with special effects, extracting me, or seriously altering my body parts or shape, unless #1 I already see that in their port, or #2 we've discussed that and agreed upon that. I had a photographer, I've worked with countless times, tell me he can do photoshop well, and extract me to place me on a different background. Well he did that, but the extraction wasn't smooth looking, and I wasn't correctly proportional to the background. I blogged yesterday about minor editing verses advanced editing. Minor flaws that can easily and quickly be removed, don't require photoshop and a high level of skills. Removing small wrinkles from the skin or outfit, removing the shine on skin, removing harsh lines under the eyes due to poor lighting, fly away hairs, blemishes, small scars, veins, uneven skin tone, clothing tag, run in stockings,..... in professional photography those are considered minor things! They are common and standard to edit, and it doesn't take a whole lot of time. Try adding a curve to the waist area, still keeping the background looking natural. Try extracting a model smoothly, and placing her on a realistically looking background, with the correct proportions. Try removing props, or adding them. Those things are advanced editing, not standard and common, an takes more skill to produce. To say, an image that had minor, common and very much standard editing, looks fake. My response is, " that's kind of the point "! I don't want to look, " real ", if that means leaving tiny but visible flaws! ANYONE can research my past and current work, anyone can clearly see the quality level of my images is high, anyone can see I'm a highly published, professional pinup. If editing the model, even lightly and removing minor but visible flaws, is something you can't do or are against, TELL YOUR CLIENTS BEFORE THEY BOOK YOU! Or simply decline the shoot, so easy to be honest. Why waste your time, and end up with an unhappy model, who feels her time and money was wasted?!!! Save them the disappointment, by turning down the shoot If there were no middle ground between looking quote unquote fake, verses natural and real, I'd definitely choose fake! However, in my opinion there is a middle ground. Smooth, flawless looking skin, no tiny flaws left, but by facial features haven't been altered, my body hasn't been altered, my hair color wasn't changed, I wasn't extracted, etc. I'm gonna go out on a limb here. 90% of models want smooth looking skin, in their images. I've never in life heard a professional model say, " keep my scar there, keep my veins there, keep my bruise there ". YES, I'm positive there are plenty of models who do say, keep those flaws there, however I've never personally met a single one, out of dozens of models I've styled and or photographed. No fashion, bridal, fitness, glamour, catalog, pinup, or lingerie model who's shooting for magazine publication, wants or expects visine flaws to be left in every single edit. Why call them edits, if flaws are left?! No magazine, at a professional level no matter what style, wants images edited or unedited, that have visible flaws! If you are against editing or actual photoshop, or you can't do minor editing, DON'T work with professional models who want publication, don't submit to magazines. It's really, really just that simple. If my client shows me a hairdo I'm unable to do to a high quality level, I won't agree to doing it! My clients aren't paying me to wing it, experiment on them, or expecting a lesser quality than what I advertise with, on social media. They see high quality and their personal taste comes into play. If removing skin blemishes, small scars, fine wrinkles, tiny veins, and smoothing out all the visible skin on the entire body, is looking, " fake ". Then either you try and do it better then show me, or YOU in fact have an issue with editing. I have absolutely no use at all for unedited images of poor quality. And images with such minor flaws, must be edited, period! The thing that slightly upsets me, as I close this topic and deal with my emotions based upon the facts above,.... how are you telling me you've researched my work, which means you saw high quality photography, and saw that I've been published in the top pinup magazines in the world, why book a shoot with me if you're against editing, or don't have the neccessary skills to achieve high quality, PUBLICATION quality edits? That's what I do now when someone makes no sense to me, I ask questions. You researched my work, I showed example images before the shoot, and somehow you thought leaving visible flaws would be ok? After seeing my past work and the quality, you still felt comfortable providing me with images that look completely unedited? Why? If personal taste means you're against minor editing, that's totally standard, leaving lots of flaws that can easily be removed, then don't plan to ever work with me, or work with me again, please. I doubt even without being highly published and 43 covers, I'd ever be ok with tiny flaws being left in, supposedly edited images! Know your abilities and communicate that. I'm NOT A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER! In this image, I see tiny flaws, and yes it's an edited picture. Am I happy with it overall? Yessss! It's a self portrait, and I can have a professional digital retoucher make it look totally flawless, if I wanted to. I know my capabilities, and in not going around calling myself a professional photographer! Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Vintage Stylist Dianna Prince Atomic Jane Clothing
0 Comments
Pinup Dolls Photography!!! I want to talk about editing, what's considered minor editing verses advanced. 1st, I'll repeat this again. Every single photographer I've ever worked with has a different camera, a different lens, different lighting ,different equipment, different level of knowledge on pinup, different style, different personal taste, and different software and editing skills. Never had a photographer with the same exact anything, equipment, ability, skills, etc. When I say something is minor and standard, as far as flaws and editing, I'm referring to what most photographers consider minor, common and very much standard. Editing tiny but visible flaws, can literally take mere seconds or a minute total, per image. Not hours of advanced editing, using expensive software. Here's my list of what most photographers, and pretty much all professional photographers, no matter what style they shoot or who their model is, consider minor flaws that do NOT require advanced editing. 1. Shiny skin, uneven skin tone 2. Harsh shadows under the eyes due to poor lighting or things like long eye lashes, hats, props, etc. 3. Blemishes, bruises, veins, scars 4. Fly away hairs 5. Clothing tags 6. Loose threads, run in stockings 7. Wrinkles in clothes Now, it's no secret the 1st important thing needed to take a clear, in focus shot is excellent lighting. Less harsh shadows, tiny flaws are less visible and skin can appear more even and less shiny, with proper lighting. Less editing is needed more often, if the lighting was great. Now, let's talk about advanced editing. These are things most photographers do not necessarily consider minor, but would need advanced editing skills. 1st must always begin with a clear shot. But advanced editing are things like these 1. Changing the models skin color 2. Making body parts bigger or smaller 3. Creating a curve in hip, waist or back area 4. Changing hair or eye color 5. Extracting the model, then placing her on a, realistic looking background 6. Adding special effects, adding props, removing props If you enlarge, increase the size by zooming in, or view unedited images on a laptop screen, you will see every single flaw, minor or major, if the image is crystal clear. If an image is unedited and out of focus, not clear and sharp, NO AMOUNT OF EDITING CAN MAKE IT APPEAR TO BE CLEAR, or make that image high quality by definition!!!!!!! Magazine owners are not looking at submissions via a cellphone screen, when selecting images they will publish. They are looking at them on a laptop or pc screen, that is obviously much bigger than a cell phone screen. They are also increasing the size, to the size the issue will be, about 8 x 11. So, once again, every flaw will show, and out of focus images even if edited, will look awful in print! Social media quality images. The day has arrived people, and I honestly don't see it ever going away. Expensive cellphones have some pretty good cameras and great lenses these days. Clear shots, in high resolution that can be edited well. Maybe not publication quality, but neither are out of focus, unedited with visible flaws left, images either! If a model or actress say, has the ability to take a clear shot, it's in high resolution, and she has the ability and app to edit it minorly, why would she book a photographer? Why would she pay for the same quality a friend can take, or she can produce using her cell, a timer and tripod? The point of shooting with a photographer, or professional photographer is to receive edited images that are high quality, and a visibly higher quality than you can take on your own! This is why I say, get used to social media quality images serving a purpose, as well as amateur photographers being replaced by cellphones users. I'm a clothing model and social media influencer, for a clothing company. I have 2 goals in mind for any shoot where I'm modeling in wardrobe they sent. High quality, clear, edited images, to use for advertising on social media and to gain publication in pinup magazines. Without high quality I can't get them published. Without extremely high quality I can't get them published in the top pinup magazines. Without high quality edits, that are virtually flawless, I can't land a magazine cover! So if the edits are just ok, or good, that eliminates any possibility of publication. No magazine big or small will publish fuzzy, out of focus images! No big pinup magazine will feature low quality images, even if clear, if there are visible flaws are left. No top pinup magazine will ever place a low quality pic, that has several flaws, on their cover! Communication is so key, BEFORE you even book a date with a photographer. I show examples of my work, I give links to my work, I show examples of what style and quality I'm looking to produce, before we ever shoot. I've NEVER expected advanced editing, super high quality, flawless edits from any photographer I'm just shooting with for the first time. But out of focus images, tiny but visible flaws left, is unacceptable. Even social media quality images should at least be in focus and clear. I just don't feel style and personal taste have much to do with actual quality. Why provide unedited images that do need editing, unless that was agreed upon ahead of time? Why edit but leave flaws, and leave it up to the model to additionally edit for you, unless that was also agreed upon ahead of time?! I seriously, seriously care about my career, my brand I've been building all these years, the goals I've set, the companies I represent, and EVERY SINGLE SHOOT WITH EVERY SINGLE PHOTOGRAPHER! They alllll matter a lot! I don't invest less, spend less time planning and preparing, less level of quality styling. Every shoot I bring all my knowledge, experience, skills and positive energy. Every shoot I have brand new wardrobe. My skills don't vary depending on the style, concept, theme, location, or photographer. I bring MY A game to every single shoot, period! Models have ABSOLUTELY no control over a photographers anything, their knowledge, experience, equipment, or skill level. It's usually not the responsibility of the photographer to do a models hair and makeup right? And most photographers who don't have a studio, also don't have wardrobe to offer. This means it's totally up to the model. Ok, well models shouldn't be responsible, required nor expected to worry about proper lighting, about what capabilities a photographer has or doesn't have. Shouldn't be left up to the model to give advice on editing or edit images taken of her, by a photographer. If you reseach someone and see high quality and lots of awesome success, keep in mind 2 things. #1, that's what they'll bring on their end, and #2 that's the standard quality of which they are used to. If you can realistically evaluate your work, and don't feel you're capable of achieving the level of quality you see upon researching someone, simply don't agree to a shoot! If one of my models shows me a picture of a hairdo I know I'm unable to do high quality, I will automatically, right away tell her no. They see styles I've done and see them as high quality hairdos, so why would I agree to a style I can't bring that same level of quality and skills to achieve? It's really been such a mental and emotional challenge to accept social media quality images, into my career. Not high enough quality to gain publication, too many flaws left to get accepted into a top pinup magazine, no way can ever land a cover. For my fans and for advertising purposes only? Hard to get used to, yes. But like I keep telling myself, social media quality images serve a purpose for social media influencers. I just don't see the point, if that's the quality I'll receive, in booking a photographer! It's similar to styling myself verses paying someone who can only achieve the exact level of quality as me! Sure to be pampered and styled is relaxing and fun, but why would I spend my money hiring someone who can't produce a higher quality than I can, on my own? Equal trade involves two or more people bringing equal value to the table, aka shoot. I bring a high quality level of styling, fabulous brand new wardrobe each shoot, and bring experienced facial expressions and poses, I do my own styling and don't need guidance posing. Turn down shoots of you're unable to produce the quality your client or model requires and communicates. Reseach and study the exact publications your models will submit to, before a shoot, not after! If minor editing, that is considered common, and standard, is too difficult or maybe your flat out against any form of editing, either don't book shoots with professional models, or inform them BEFORE THE SHOOT. If minor editing is too difficult, I'd rather take my own images. If I can't gain publication AND get images for social media, then the shoot ends up being a loss. ( On a side note, that's completely based upon sheer emotions, based upon the facts listed above. I'm seriously burned out on a few things with working with a new photographer. Taking time out of my busy day to explain the definition of high quality, to show examples of high quality photography, and to give tips and advice on producing a high quality image! I'm not the photographer taking the images of me, and the photographer isn't responsible for my styling skills, and giving me tips or advice. There must be skills involved in the equipment and tools anyone is using to produce high quality. I just don't feel, key word, " feel ", it's up to the model or talent to be fully knowledgeable on photography techniques, equipment, or editing software. This is exactly why I say, amateur photographers are being replaced by cellphone users! Anyone can take a picture, even a child. Anyone can take an out of focus image, and many people can take a clear shot. Even if trade based, is it really the actual definition of trade, if the model is a professional, experienced, accomplished and highly skilled, and her photographer is not? One of my photographers said 2 key things I happen to be able to relate to and agree on. Lots of models, usually amateurs have no clue what high quality even is, so therefore they don't see flaws and are happy with low quality images. And 2, when I've vented about gals acting unprofessional, he said that, most of my clients aren't professional models to begin with, so I should expect the unprofessionalism. I may agree and be able to relate, doesn't mean I'm thrilled about it! A photographer I adore who happens to also be the owner of the biggest pinup magazine in the world, just made a statement recently to me. He said over the years my styling had been consistent in quality. He said flat out, I need to get, " better ", photographers. He also said that, my brand is Dianna Prince and it was built on high quality. ) Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Sophia Loren
I feel the amateur photographers are being replaced by cell phone pictures. Here's why. I've studying the internet and what's current. I doubt anytime soon, professional photographers will be replaced by amateurs taking cell pics., but amateur photographer are serving a less and less purpose. I've been photographing by dozens of photographers. All of them have their own everything, camera, lens, equipment, lighting, knowledge on pinup, skill levels, editing process and software. Some produce such high quality that, to me, there's no comparison. The image quality they produce is substantially higher than any cell phone pictures I've seen. Yet, so many photographers, maybe not exactly amateur, but their skills are limited, their know of pinup is limited, and quite often I see or receive edits that, in my opinion, are equal in quality as some really great cell phones pictures. Their hust no way, any photo o consider professional, would ever produce a lower quality than a cell phone picture. Then yes, their are actual amateurs, which by the way can astonish many of us, and still produce high quality images. Yet, the photographers, amateur or consider themselves a professional, need to reevaluate their work, if in fact cell phone pictures are a higher, or even equal quality to their work. I've seen photographers with all this expensive equipment, and high skill level, produce the higest I've ever been given of me. Then I've seen a photographer set up all this lighting, and produce not just a lower quality, but way lower quality. I've been photographed by a photographer who had their camera and that was it, and every shoot indoors or out, produced high quality images. I've had a photographer with only a camera, and couldn't take an in focus, clear shot, to save their lives! I've actually been given unedited images that blew me out of the water, because no editing was done what so ever, and if I did any editing it was very light. Like skin smoothing, to take away shine and even out my skin tone. Very, very minor editing. The angles were excellent and flattering, plus a variety. The lighting was excellent, and every shot well lite and crystal clear. This is rare, but my point is, it happens. Just like waiting months to receive low quality images. Out of focus, edited but need additional editing, inconsistencies from image to image, small but visible flaws left, smooth the face but not the skin on the body, natural skin color altered, and more! There's no way on God's green earth I'd feel comfortable lying, and saying professional photographers do those things, because they DON'T! I do agree there must be a type of photographer between a true amateur, by definition, and an actual professional, by definition. But my entire point in this blog is, #1 cell phones these days have great cameras and excellent lenses. A nice cell phone can run 900 bucks. A starter camera, or an additional lens can cost that much or less. There's no doubt that cell phones can produce high quality images. This is why, with social media careers, such as product models, social media influencers, and more, aren't paying amateur photographers anymore. Unless you can personally produce a visibly higher quality than, that person in need of images, especially for social media purposes, then they won't invest. Folks are always finding ways to cut out the middle man, that's just reality. That is EXACTLY why to be irreplaceable, you must be unique! Look at all the dolls with YouTube channels, fir example. They have hundreds of thousands of followers on their channel. They are making money, and have been, from their videos. Usually it's how to style hair or makeup, and they are getting paid every time someone views a video! Funny how, so many people don't even know that! They invested in props, maybe microphone, table, backdrop cloth, lighting, all the makeup or hair tools and supplies needed, a tripod, and most likely using their cell phone, which wasn't cheap. So instead of just modeling, just presenting a product, just showing how - to, they are now set decorator, director, camera crew and videographer. Plus do the editing and promotion! If that's not, " cutting out the middle man ", frankly I don't know what is, it's budgeting. That example above is the reality of modern day photography. I'm not saying everyone can, but pretty much anyone with an expensive cell phone, great lighting or excellent natural light, and a tripod or a good eye, can take more than just a decent image. Clear, crisp images, that when edited like professional images are, look fantastic. I've seen cell phone pictures that were more than just good, too. It's becoming less and less rare, and obviously common in social media. Social media advertising, networking, promoting and showcasing your work, is extremely popular and will not go away! Everyone from dental centers, insurance companies, clothing companies, performers, designers, restaurants, etc., etc., all use social media. It's like this uproar over the new term, " social media model ". Or Instagram model. Sure it sounds silly, sophomoric, like a joke not to be taken, or considered with any merit. It's actually not a joke at all! Social media influencers are people from all walks of life, and every biz you can think of, that advertises on social media. No you won't see the average, non celebrity, who's a big time social media influencer, on the cover of Vogue, or starring in a major motion picture. But, the term social media model, Instagram model, or social media influencer, are real careers now! People who have skills to teach, can do so from home. No renting studios, no paying a photographer or videographer, if they can produce the quality level they need on their own! Still investing in alot, plus skill and time, but the middle man or hiring professionals is now eliminated. No sharing profits, no getting permission to sell, print, make money from, or getting permission to have published in a magazine. They produced it all, they own the copyrights, and they keep any and all profits. Takes serious time and tons of production to acquire hundreds of thousands of followers and fans! No I don't see cell phone photography ending up in an art gallery, or winning awards. I damn sure don't se them being published in any major fashion magazine. The top companies in the world, billboards, no. But social media is major and so is the advertising. If someone with a great cell phone can take an image equal in quality as you, or a visibly higher quality than you, realize amateur photographers are being replaced! Evolution never stops!!!! Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Julie Newmar
Audrey Hepburn Becoming a social media influencer. Talk about cold hard competition! I was recently asked, how does someone become a social media influencer and model. Let me 1st say, I offer pinup classes on posing and facial expressions, as well as classes covering the biz side of the pinup industry. I also offer Artist Development classes, and have for 2 years. All the pinup classes I've been offering are super informative and inexpensive. The 1st thing you can't be doing is posting images without crediting your stylist and photographer! That's a huge, no no, in modeling, period! It shows direct lack of professionalism and extremely noticeable to professionals. ALWAYS credit the images you do NOT own the copyrights to! You must be prepared for competition, and your competitors know how to act professional, because they are already professionals, who've worked hard in this industry and in their fields, years now. You must already have a huge social media presence and following. This usually takes several years, and years of daily work promoting and gaining new fans, as well as keeping the ones you already have gained. Yes, years. I've yet to see someone waltz up and gain 100k followers, 300k or a million, overnight. So, plan to invest a few years, and once you have gained tons of followers, you still have to keep working to keep them, the work never ends to maintain your fan base. With most social media influencers, they are sponsoring and advertising a product, possibly a beauty related service, so beauty plays a factor. However no matter how beautiful you may be, how many photographers you've worked with, or modeling gigs you've landed, times you've been published, etc., will only be a small requirement to qualify. You must know the biz side of the industry your modeling in, you must know a lot about promotion and advertising. That's how you begin to build your brand and fan base to begin with, lots and lots of marketing knowledge and experience promoting. You can't build a fan base to the tune of hundreds of thousands, by modeling here and there, modeling as a hobby, modeling part time. In my opinion and experience, you need to be active in modeling, build resources and connections that take years, and literally spend time, pretty much every single day, promoting. When you approach and contact the companies you see using social media influencers, it will be almost pointless unless you already have 100k or more followers. This can be on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram or Facebook. Theres just really no way around that, because all the models they are already paying have hundreds of thousands, or at least 100k. So any models they would even consider, must already have tons of fans. What you've done in your modeling, people you've worked with, magazines you've been in, etc., is what will directly aid you in building your brand and social media following. But there basically no point in even trying to land a position as a social media influencer, no matter what the company is, until you have at least tens of thousands, I say 100k. We see these ads all day on social media, with a beautiful gal promoting a product. No clue who the model is, never heard of her, never saw her in movies, on tv, on magazine covers, and the images used to advertise are usually cell phone looking images. So, it may appear easy and simple to be them, but I guarantee you they have a huge following, that took years and or so much time to build, before becoming a model and social media influencer. Once you have done that, then you qualify to compete with others, for those positions as a social media influencer. There are gals who could easily land the position because they have already spent years building their brand, so they know about marketing and have the proof in numbers and stats. Plenty of them don't know how easy it would be for them, because they are already qualified. Then there are those that haven't researched or contacted a single company, and assume wrongfully they'll have no problem landing a position. If becoming a social media influencer and model is a goal for you, plan to spend years modeling and building up your fan base and brand! Years of daily or weekly promotion, and a long term plan to achieve your goals. As long as you're qualified, then your competition won't matter too much. But people who already have a huge social media presence, aren't your competitors UNLESS you are 1st qualified to compete! There's basically and really no quick fix, no way to become popular on social media overnight, unless you either work with someone major in your industry, or land a major movie role, cover of Vogue, etc. If you work with someone who's already a heavy hitter, already has a huge social media following, or it's a major company or major magazine, then your following will increase fast. You still must plan to work to keep them, either way! Based upon researching heavily and by 1st hand experience as a social media influencer and model, if you aren't modeling, acting, dancing, singing or performing often, do not have a social media fan base with tens of thousands of more followers, I say drop the idea of becoming a social media influencer. You have to be active, promoting and advertising on a regular basis, without fail, to 1st build your brand. Companies looking for models to be their social media influencer, have an endless amount of gals already qualified, waiting to be chosen. Beauty is just an essential part of the equation. If you have no knowledge on marketing, no knowledge on how to conduct biz in a professional manner, to begin with, good luck building a solid brand and working with top professionals in your industry. Gotta learn the basics, reseach and spend a tremendous amount of time and money too, often, NOT here and there. If someone in fact, handed you 100k followers overnight, then what? Are you realistically prepared to maintain that huge fan base, are you prepared and knowledgeable on how to, as well as gain even more fans? Whether building your brand and fan base seems easy or difficult, make no mistake, it takes time, and often several years!! If you're dipping in and out of pinup for fun, a few times a year, or it's a once a month deal, if you haven't learned the biz side, haven't learned anything about marketing, aren't working with high quality producing people who are making big moves, being a social media influencer isn't for you. If you have little to no clue on how to build your brand and fan base, no company will hire you to sponsor their business or products. I rarely think about my competitors. I focus on myself, my career, my goals and my success already achieved, after years of very hard work. But I'm totally and fully aware of my competitors, and that there is an endless amount of successful, established, experienced and skilled professional pinups, all over the globe. Reseach and you'll find that, although it looks so simple and the images used for advertising aren't always professional quality, it's not easy to land the positions available, as a social media influencer. It has become a real career. Major stars are the ones really racking it in, and are sought out by companies. Obviously major stars and performers, almost all have millions of followers. Lastly. It takes every individual model, a different length of time to develope, and create a solid pinup look. Those that already live a vintage lifestyle, can and do dress that way already, are the ones who usually develop their overall look, the fastest. They've been doing their hair and makeup in vintage styles for years, they have vintage and pinup wardrobe already, because that's what they wear daily. Once pinup becomes a career, or you set goals within pinup, a solid pinup look is ESSENTIAL! That's also a major aspect of competition. You must know what looks flatter you, what styles and themes, within pinup, that flatter you! Can't smile with confidence, look uncomfortable?, Cheesecake pinup isn't for you, etc. Choosing wardrobe that flatters your body type, and wardrobe testing, alllll a major part of developing a solid pinup look. I've seen gals do shoot after shoot, and never develop essential skills to compete. I've seen gals do shoot after shoot and never improve and failing at the goals they've set. Once you set goals, you must invest time and money. Money alone won't ensure success, development or enable you to compete with professionals. Skills in your styling, choosing the proper wardrobe, researching and training, and YEARS or repeating all the above. Years people. Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Las Vegas Marilyn Monroe
I've already covered the topic of, " do you need a manager ". Now I'd like to quickly go over the top 5 things you can be, need to be, and undoubtedly should be doing it you are a model and have a manager or agent. I want to say that these are things that are very much standard, expected and often, required. I'm a pinup manager and pinup stylist. I offer many services and perform several duryes for my clients. I feel there is often some confusion between my role as a personal stylist, and my role as a manager. They are 2 completely different positions, and both come with different responsibilities. The resources, connections and services I offer as a manager are beyond and different, than my services as a pinup stylist. With that said, a mangers main focus is to manage your career, as well as help you develop skills and create a plan to succeed at all your goals. They aren't simply submitting your images. They aren't simply promoting your modeling page. There are so many things they do, not simply one thing. Managers are responsible for helping the talent become marketable. This means helping you create a solid pinup look. This means advising you and working with your stylists and photographers. This means being involved in every single aspect of your pinup career. Now, I keep using the word pinup, because I am a pinup stylist and pinup manager. I feel all these things definitely apply to any type of modeling, as well as the entertainment industry. Managing your career, key and just that, managing. Any plan or plans, any choices or decisions, goals, shoots, events,.... any and everything that applies directly to your career, your manager or agent needs to be involved! If you aren't active in pinup, you don't need a manager. If you don't have the funds, and or the time specifically for your goals, you don't need a manager. If you are against, above or clueless about the importance of reseach, AND TRAINING, you don't need a manager. If you don't take constructive criticism well, you don't need a manager. If you can't see, or willing to accept the areas you need improvements on, you don't need a manager. If you don't have a long term plan, to be involved in pinup, and succeed at your goals, you don't need a manager. And then there's the obvious. If you are constantly late or rushing, that will undoubtedly effect your biz relationship with a manager or agent, and anyone, in business. Horrible communication. Unorganized all or most of the time, unprepared. Make commitments and break them. Cancel last minute, often. Etc.,etc. There are literally singers, models, actresses, performers, etc., that allow their managers or agent's to control each and every aspect of their career. Their managers or agents work hand and hand with the stylists, designers and photographers. They give total control to their managers on their styling and looks, they allow them to decide what events to attend, what photographers to shoot with, and which publications they shoot for, and way more! How many times have we heard a huge, big name celebrity say, they did this or that, because of their manager or publicity agent?! Why did they wear that outfit to an event or shoot? Because their manager and stylist made that decision. Why didn't theyattend that event or take that gig? Their manager. Why did they color their hair black? Their agent or manager. I don't care what level you're at, if you felt the need to hire and seek representation, you must give power to those, YOU chose to represent you! You must be at the level of even needing an actual manager. You must be ready to fully take advantage of all their services, resources, and connections. You must trust in their professional judgment and knowledge. I've learned over the years, that plenty of amateur pin-ups, do not know the actual definition of a talent manager. Managers help create opportunities, they already have resources, connections and experience. They also find out about biz opportunities, that you are qualified to do. They promote all you do. They connect you with the exact individuals, you need in your career yo succeed. They must be directly and completely involved in, EVERY aspect of your career, career plans, and goals. Here are the top 5 things, you should be actively and constantly doing, if you have a manager or agent, or both. 1. Schedule meeting, every month. ( this obviously increases depending on the talent, and all they are involved in ). This may be a hour meeting once a month. Unless you're out of town, these are in - person meetings. The ones I offer, for free, are called Artist Development classes. In between these face to face meetings, will be lots of communication, when needed. Follow ups, updates, planning photo shoots etc. But a professional buz meeting is essential and often required. In these meetings you go over everything. Your goals, a plan to achieve them, your upcoming shoots, your looks for your upcoming shoots, what your plans and schedule are for the next month, 3 months, etc. You're actually sitting down together, both focused solely and directly on YOUR career. Not whole you're at work, on your cell. Not while you're out with friends and family. Not while you're in the middle of something, non biz related. Pen to paper, taking notes, asking questions, and giving information. 2. Really everything I can list further are all above. You decide to change your look, or shoot a new look, you should be informing your manager, BEFORE you do that. 3. You decide you want a new photographer, or any photographer to photograph you, you should be informing your manager, BEFORE the shoot, before you even book a date. 4. You decide to attend an event that's related to pinup, or enter a contest, etc., your manager or agent should be informed, BEFORE you attend, and should be apart of the planning. 5. Any magazines you want to be in, any calendars, anything that has to do with publicity or publication, should never be decided upon by you, without consulting who represents you. Lastly. If you have a manager or agent, the last way they should be finding out any of your plans are as follows: 1. By reading social media posts 2. From someone you've've ALREADY made plans to work with If your manager or agent decides not to ask you about your plans for the upcoming month, or an upcoming event, photo shoot, etc., then what? What if they require an actual biz meeting in person, and if you don't book any, they won't ask you via Facebook? It's your responsibility to MAKE the time to inform them, and more importantly, not making those decisions, until you've consulted them FIRST! Do you think the top pinup models, or any professional models, actually make all these decisions, minus talking with their manager or agent?!! Sorry, no. What events, what shoots, what photographer's, what looks, what companies,....... NOTHING is ever planned BEFORE a meeting with whoever represents you. A personal stylist is directly involved in the planning of every detail, of every look, for every shoot or event. They work directly with your manager or agent. They may work directly with producers or designers. An agent takes an already developed talent, or talent with huge potential, helps them gain the tools needed, and books them on paid gigs. They are directly involved in every aspect of your career. They work with your manager, stylist and photographers, including any companies you represent. Manager's are responsible for managing! To be the talent, you must have talent. To be a professional stylist you must be skilled, knowledgeable and experienced. Everyone at a professional level are a part of a team. A team designed to create our success and positive results, period! Developing a solid pinup look and becoming a well rounded, marketable pinup, with knowledge, experience, skill, accomplishments,.... all that takes time and invoices the help from real professionals. If you are skilled at one thing, that doesn't automatically mean you're skilled at other essential things. Just because your been published, doesn't automatically mean or ensure it'll keep happening, or in higher quality magazines. If one element is lacking in high quality, within your images, then EVERYTHING will decrease in quality. Great styling and wardrobe, no skilled facial expressions or poses. Hair, wardrobe, makeup on point, photography great, low quality makeup skills. All styling and poses on point, low quality photography. Styling on point, great photography, variety of facial expressions and poses, fabulous wardrobe, but it doesn't fit you well. Looking uncomfortable, looking like you have no energy, looking rushed, rushed edits,......... They are people who are professionals because they specialize and have expertise in that field. You're either paying for their services or wanting to do trade for their services. Stylists are paid to style, nothing more. No advice, no anything besides styling. Many photographers just take photos. You pay them to photograph you, nothing more. Neither are responsible for helping you create a plan. They aren't consulting you on developing your skills, developing your social media presence, connecting you with important people. So, before you think you know what a manager or agent does, 1st research and ask questions directly to managers and agents. Consider your professionalism in the past, consider if you'll be able to take constructive criticism and follow it! Consider if pinup is only a hobby for you. Consider if your goals are actually realistic with your commitment level. Consider how long you plan to be in pinup actively. If you aren't already used to, comfortable doing, or scheduling, wardrobe tests, styling consultations, classes, meetings, and things that I now require, Artist Development classes, have no plan for your goals, aren't willing to train,.... I say again and lastly,.... YOU DON'T NEED A MANAGER! Keep in mind every decision you make, with or without consulting your representation, it directly reflects them. Every shoot you do, whether they book it or you booked it, every event, anyone you decide to also work with, DIRECTLY reflects on your manager or agent. Seriously think about that. This is why if when you plan shoots, your manager should be involved in the planning. You plan to attend an event involving in industry you're in, your manager should be involved in the planning. Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Sophia Loren
4/13/2018 0 Comments Why I Decided Not To Submit,....Finally decided what I'm going to do with 2 old set's of me by one photographer. I've held onto them because I was on the fence, on whether to submit, or post and reshoot both looks,.... with a different photographer! I won't suggest this to them, what's done is done. They obviously felt comfortable and ok with providing the edits, they did. Unsure if anything I have to say would be valued or make them rethink about what high quality really is, and the major difference between high and low quality photography. I feel they shoukd reconsider providing professional model's with low quality, like the sent me, of me. If all their other clients are happy, more power to them! But theres no way any top pinup magazine would ever accept such low quality images. As far as the small, not so selective mags, I see no real point or purpose it will serve. I can post images on my own, blog and share it, etc., and reach tens of thousands of people. Not that I really want to post low quality. The thing is, the inconsistencies! Many flaws left in every image, lighting was light in a few images, then with the same set and even same angle, other images are substantially darker. Some images my skin looks it's natural shade, other images, by skin tone is way lighter. Some images my facial features were altered, and in others they weren't. Those things combined, are inconsistencies and directly effect each image as a complete set! Why would I even want a single pic, where flaws are left? Why would I want a single pic where my facial features are altered? Why would I want my skin tone to appear way lighter than it is naturally? Most magazines want sets. Sets, where it's the same model, same set or background, same wardrobe, etc. The lighting must also be the same, for every single pic within a set! It's called a uniformed set. Whatever editing you do to my face, body and image, needs to be done to every single image, within that set. I totally realize that some professional photographers deal in advertising. They are hired to produce a single or just a couple of flawless, perfect, high quality images, for their clients. A billboard ad, a magazine ad, a printed biz card, a single head shot, digital or printed flyer, promotional ad, etc., etc. But the end result, no matter how many images are needed by the client, the one's you edit, provide and are selected, will be and will only be the highest quality one's! Even if a set isn't uniform, each individual image still has to be high quality, no visible flaws. The set's I'm referring to had bad lighting while taking the images. Some shots very bright, other shots dark. Visible flaws left. Now, things like shiny skin, bruises, scars, wrinkles on the face or fabric, harsh shadows under the eyes, veins, uneven skin tone,.. those are fixable flaws, common flaws, and standard to edit out by any professional photographer. I'm going to end this blog before I continue to repeat what I already covered in other blogs. I want to give 2 quick examples, minus my personal thoughts and emotions. I've landed a cover from shoots that were done in my home. Different photographer's, as well. The images were high quality, because they were without visible flaws, my skin tone was kept natural and didn't vary from pic to pic. My facial features weren't altered. The lighting was excellent. And whatever editing was done to a single pic was done to them all! All the original images were crystal clear, totally in focus. So, then I shoot in 2 different areas of my home, with the same photographer, a different photographer than above. Low quality, visible flaws, horrible lighting, inconsistencies from pic to pic. Many unclear images that were edited anyway. There's not a single pic, from either set that's totally flawless and high quality. Same me, same level of quality styling and wardrobe. Same exact location, same areas in my home. High quality from one photographer, several actually, and low, not just a lower quality, but low quality from another. Rarely do I repeat an outfit when shooting, because my shoots are for publication. Rarely do I feel the need to repeat an entire look, because the edits were low quality. Usually I'm very unhappy when I've felt the need to do so. Yet, at the same time, it is what it is. I don't invest my hard earned money to end up wasting my time, wasting my money on styling tools and products, and brand new wardrobe for every single shoot! So I'd be way more unhappier if I wasn't able to reshoot in both vintage lingerie outfits. It's all a matter of perspective. I'm happy enough, with the quality of a few and feel they're at least social media ok. My fans adore anything I post of me, and I love them for that. To add this in, it was fun working with that photographer, just as much as it is with all my favorite photographers. Fun and really liking my photographers, obviously has NOTHING to do with quality being produced to a high level. I also need to mention that every single time, all 600+ times I've been published, alllll 43 covers, mean the world to me. Individually they are a direct success, combined it means so very much! I value it every time I'm featured in a pinup magazine. I invest time and money in every single shoot, to gain publication, so of course they all matter. However, like I said above, I have the ability to reach tens of thousands of people with a single post, and it's not rare for me to do that. Who knows exactly how many readers a small or fairly small pinup magazine has, verses his many they have following their page. I just don't see any real point, or positivity coming my way by allowing low quality images of me to be published, period! Then for it to only be a small, not very selective magazine,..... what's really the point, when I can reach, probably more or way more people on my own, than that mag can?!!! I'm actually not upset because I can use a few for blogs and to post for my fans. But, for use of publishing, I'll pass, im happy to make this decision, finally! It has been more about me adoring my styling, my vintage wardrobe, vintage props abd that set. There was never, me questioning my styling, or the fact that the images are poor quality. Right when I 1st looked at the edits, until just now, it was ALWAYS clear they weren't and not high quality. Columnist Dianna Prince Vintage Stylist Dianna Prince Above is Eartha Kitt
4/11/2018 0 Comments Preparation equals success!Aside from this being the first year the Viva car show's main day got sold out early, everything looks the same. It's clear that so many people attending have planned ahead. I've seen countless flyers, event pages set up and tons of advertising and promotion, by everyone who's offering services or having shoots. I just can't get it out of my head, I can't grasp the concept of winging it! I guess its because in all aspects of my life, I'm the same way. I can't feel solid about anything, an event, a shoot, etc , unless I've planned details ahead of time. I can't have fun, or even imagine having fun, unless I'm prepared and organized. I don't associate myself with folks who are known for not planning ahead, known for being unorganized, known for being late, or constantly rushing! At my academy I deal with all that and more, but not in my career or my personal life. Those are all negative things that effect every shoot, and are bad habits to develop. I look at goals. There must be a plan for success, a plan that includes planning ahead. To me, you're directly showing you don't really care about your goals if you are constantly winging it, with your shoots. If you're not planning every detail, being unprepared will effect your shoot and your images. If you've set goals, have tried and failed, after the 1st time you should be evaluating why. If you've tried a few times, you should then reevaluate why you haven't succeed yet. Once you have, you should see where YOU need improvements. Not where any other model needs improvement, but where YOU need it. When I look at pinup magazine covers, especially the top pinup magazines, I not only see the money that was obviously invested, I see the time and skill!!! Unless you are booking shoots where makeup and hair styling are included, plus wardrobe, its obvious that you will be responsible for those things, and your skill level will clearly show. It's almost like you can see when someone wasn't prepared, or they were rushing. You can see when edits are rushed, same applies. I just can't see the kind of shoots that land covers, being winged or rushed. Appears to me those shoots were planned ahead of time, and in detail. Looks like high quality styling was involved which takes time, or time and money to hire a professional. The wardrobe is not only fabulous, match the era of makeup and hair, but it fits well and flatters the model. There should always be scheduled time to test out wardrobe before every shoot. If you're leaving it up to a pinup studio to provide wardrobe, then they'll have that time planned, for when you're there. A garment can be beautiful, still doesn't mean it flatters you, or anyone just because they like it, or it fits. When someone tells me their goals, I'm automatically going to ask myself, if I feel it's a realistic goal or not. I'm going to think back to what I've seen them do, my biz experiences with them, and what I see them doing, or not doing currently. Its obvious any race, age, height, weight, social class, etc., can be on magazine covers and in them. If you want to be in the top pinup magazines in the world, and or land their cover, or even smaller ones that feature high quality images, you must be preparing for every shoot! Your styling is as important as your skill level, as important as the quality of the photography. It all must be high quality or the images won't be! So, back to Viva. A few months after last Viva, people were already talking about and lightly planning for this year's Viva. Once January hit, photographer's had already been promoting. Same with hairstylists, pinup contestants, bands, pinup clothing companies, and more. Viva is a major event. It's the biggest pinup and rockabilly event in the world, and only once a year! Its like submitting to the biggest pinup magazine in the world, there must be preparation, and high quality involved to achieve success. Looking at all the pin-ups, professional pinups, and those that actually live a vintage lifestyle, its crystal clear, when attending Viva they didn't wing it! I'd venture to say, they are like that with photo shoots as well, always planning ahead and every detail. If you know how to do high quality styling on yourself, and have an idea of exactly what styles you'll be doing, you still must plan exactly what clothing and accessories will match. You have to sit and imagine it, unless you test it before an event or shoot. Then there's clothes. Do you already have brand new wardrobe, or an outfit you can piece together? If you already have it, or have to order it, it still should be tried on. What if it used to fit well and now does not! What if it looked great on the model in the ad, but is unflattering on YOU?! If your choice in wardrobe doesn't fit right, didn't arrive in time, etc., this means finding something else to wear. That may also mean, coming up with a different hairstyle! If you wait until the last minute to test, or fail to do it at all, all those, " what if's ", WILL cause issues and delays. It will effect your overall shoot. Look at the models and images featured in the magazines you want to be in, and their cover images. You do honestly think those style shoots and high quality images, were cheap to produce? Do you think whoever did the styling wasn't skilled? Do you think there wasn't time scheduled to test out wardrobe, or at the studio, to try on wardrobe? Just like that high quality photography level, meant skill, planning ahead, investing money, and not rushing edits, it's exactly the same on the models end. She and or her stylist are responsible for high quality looks, everything from head to toe. I realize for 100% of the gals that shoot pinup, it's fun. That's the basis and what everyone has in common. Same with attending Viva, its 1st and foremost about having fun. If your're a pinup model, you're a walking billboard! You're representing your brand. Once you set goals, theres a biz side. If you're unable to prepare ahead of time and in detail, if you aren't good at planning ahead, aren't good at being organized, and aren't making the time to do those things, be prepared to fail. If you're constantly late, or rushing to leave, it will effect your shoot, and the quality of the overall images. It's a fact! Pinup magazine cover shoots were not winged, I guarantee you! Look at the top 3 pinup magazines and their covers, see what they feature inside. You can't sit there and tell me, time, money, skill, resources, high quality styling, fabulous and flattering wardrobe, high quality photography,....... weren't ALLLLL involved! I feel exactly the same way about Viva. Everyone will be having a blast. Everyone will look fabulous. But, I know darn well that they spent time and money, and they definitely planned their looks in detail, ahead time. Those that decide on hairdo's or wardrobe last minute, and create high quality, flattering and flawless looks, are usually either pro stylists, professional pinup models, or have created that style numerous times, and have mastered it. It's like what I learned in fashion school. Wardrobe usually dictates the hairstyle. Wardrobe is usually 1st planned with the theme of the shoot, and the location. But 1st, the wardrobe must fit you well! Not just fit. The color should also flatter your skin tone. Also era's. 1940's hair, 1940' makeup, and clothing style 1940's. Not 1960's makeup, with 1950's looking wardrobe. When there are stylists involved, or you hire one, they are specialists, experts, and you can leave most of the above, up to them to plan. However, if you're doing your own styling and using your own wardrobe, it's all up to you!! If a stylist you're about to work with soon, offers you a complimentary styling consultation, DO IT! If it includes testing various wardrobe pieces, and it's a free styling session, DO IT! If you're unable to pay for a professional stylist, or unable to attend a styling consultation, wardrobe test at home, DO IT! Never wing it, with any aspect that YOU have total control over, with any of your shoots or events you'll attend. If you have resources of a professional stylist, USE THEM! Never pass up an opportunity to get styling advice, feedback, constructive criticism, or tips, from a professional! Value their expertise, experience, knowledge, and skills ENOUGH, to actually take their advice. Vintage Stylist Dianna Prince Columnist Dianna Prince Gina Lollobrigida above. Marilyn Monroe Gina Lollobrigida prep·a·ra·tion ˌprepəˈrāSH(ə)n/ noun
Lucille Ball People prepare because their goals matter, their reputation and brand matter, who they are representing, and who represents them matters! If you invest time and money, all your shoots and events you attend, will matter enough to prepare in detail, ahead of time! Lucille Ball Audrey Hepburn There are and were, major productions that involved fully testing out an entire look, before the shoot. Makeup, hair and wardrobe, were all done exactly like, how it would be, but on a different date than the filming, event, or shoot. Similar to brides. Bridal consultants usually offer testing on a day other than, and before the wedding. Day of a wedding, movie production, event, or shoot, everything should ALREADY be planned!!! Sophia Loren Elizabeth Taylor Elizabeth Taylor Jayne Mansfield
4/7/2018 0 Comments The Turn Over Rate In PinupThe good ole turn over rate,..... so common when you own a biz that caters to the public. Even more so when you're working with amateur and aspiring models. I guess by now I'm used to it. Its really nice when clients return and I have styled them countless times over the years. However its also nice working with new gals too.
One thing I've learned to not do is get emotional when gals come to me to help them succeed at their goals, then don't follow thru. Get involved in the biz and directly involve me, then quit. It's happened more times than I can count, it's so common in modeling and it'll happen in the future. Not my goals, my career, my time or my money. Just like when I give sound advice, advice that comes with experience and knowledge, certain gals ignore it, others value it enough to actually take it. Either way, its not mine choice to make. The long run, the long haul, the big picture. Goals must come with a solid and realistic plan. To expect success overnight is unrealistic. To set goals and fail, then give up after barely trying, isn't a realistic way to become successful. Big or small, every goal needs to be accompanied by a plan, and that plan should include years of not giving up, not bailing before you even get established. Here's my thing. Its not difficult at all to submit to mags, once you learn the process and research each magazine. If you can be organized, plan ahead and communicate well, submitting and gaining publication isn't hard. It just takes knowledge and time. It's also not extremely hard, after time in this industry, to build solid biz relationships with great photographers. Can't say it'll automatically happen over night. But if you are active in pinup, work with some of the same photographers, eventually you'll build those neccessary resources and connections. Until that's achieved, you have to invest time and money to be photographed to get images for publication, and to build your port. Again, it's not difficult to build biz relationships with professional photographers, it simply takes time, and OBVIOUSLY being active in pinup. Another thing that isn't very hard, is building your brand and fan base. Knowledge on marketing and promotion is important, but can be obtained by researching. You can pay someone to promote, or you can do it. Just like you can pay someone to photograph you, or get to the level where you're offered trade by professional photographers. Takes time. Building your fan base alone, without any assistance, takes even longer. Lastly, styling and wardrobe! Not the hardest thing in the world to gain styling skills. Once again, it takes time! Some gals have been getting styled by me a long time, years even, and have never learned how to do a simple pinup hairdo. There are others that made the time to learn and practice, at home. Others have booked a pinup hair styling class from me, then practiced at home. Exactly the same with the importance of wardrobe. You're not only paying for someone's time, but also their knowledge, experience and skill level. If you can't do high quality styling on yourself, it will lower the quality of every picture you take that shoot, and any shoot if you fail to hire a professional. Wardrobe is essential and no point in booking a pinup shoot, that does not include use of wardrobe, if you don't have actual pinup clothing or true vintage clothes. Gotta have something you've never modeled in before, for every shoot you book. And do you know how to piece together pinup looking outfits, that also look great on YOU? I feel its terribly unrealistic to expect to compete with other pinups on a high level, gain publication in the top pinup magazines, land covers, work with high quality photographers for trade, and have an overall successful shoot every time, UNLESS you're investing in professionals. Magazine owners and professional photographers can clearly see quality. Has nothing to do with personal taste, when quality of photography is being judged. If you're makeup skills are lacking, if your facial expressions and posing skill level is lacking, if your choice of clothing is unflattering or non pinup styles, if you didn't plan ahead in detail, if you are rushing, if you are uncomfortable, etc., etc.,...... IT'LL SHOW! If anything listed above is lacking in high quality, EVERYTHING goes down in quality!!! Images can be high quality, yet your styling isn't, that simply equals low quality. If your styling and wardrobe are on point but you lack in skills with posing it'll equal a lower quality image. If everything about you is on point and high quality, but the images are low quality, that equals an overall low quality image. Everything I've covered is knowledge gained over years of experience and being heavily active in the pinup industry, not months or a year or 2, but several years. That's why it seems a bit foolish to seek my expertise and advice, the fail to follow it. I'm not saying I'm always right. But I've studied aspiring and amateur pinups. Those who asked my advice and don't take it, usually end up quitting pinup, or never succeeding at the goals they set for themselves. TRUTH!! Hobby, part time or career goal, without a plan, without planning ahead, without dedication and drive, without time invested and money,... no goals within pinup can be accomplished. That's my professional opinion. I adore styling the same gals often, yet I also adore styling new clients. I cater to the public so there's always been and always will be gals to enter pinup and for whatever reason, quit. I'm like any other stylist or photographer, as far as my time and my money. You pay me, I'll style and or photograph you, period. If I was selective then I wouldn't cratering to the public and working with amateurs. As far as the dolls I have selected to be in my columns, attend events with me, bring aboard to model for compares I model for, and the gals I chose to manage, it goes wayyyyy beyond merely paying me. When it's my column, my articles, a company I'm already established with, one of my personal pro photograoherels, or who I choose to involve in major projects, I'm very selective!!! And that will never change. Dolls I style and gain publication, are representing me as a stylist. Same when I photograph someone, no different than when I invite gals to attend events with me, or be involved in anything on a high level. I'm going to be extremely selective because my reputation is on the line!!! You look bad in your images, as your stylist that'll reflect on me directly! SERIOUSLY!!! If you look uncomfortable, no energy, rushed, upset, or have no pinup facial expressions and posing skills, it'll show and reflect on me as a pinup instructor. All the above and more directly reflects on me, when I'm managing someone. Failing at goals, poor communication, unorganized, breaking commitments, FAILING to plan ahead, FAILING to test photo shoot wardrobe ahead of time, rushing to shoot and leave, setting goals and never accomplishing them,...... I take it ALL to heart when it's a model I'm managing and representing, because it's MY BRAND! You look bad, I look bad, you're unprofessional, it makes me look that way too. You set goals then quit modeling, it reflects on me!!! Its impossible to help a gal develop a solid pinup look, develope important skills, build her brand and fan base become established and in demand, and succeed at major goals, if the model isn't planning to be active and active for the long haul! That's why it's called a hobby verses a career! Pinup as a hobby is exactly why pinup photography and pinup photography studios have a turn over rate. I say call it what it is, and move forward. Pay, invest, have fun, get pampered and dolled up, dress up, be photographed and get great pics. Once you set actual goals, EVERYTHING changes. Fun part still applies, but so many other factors are essential for success at any level. I've become more selective in who I choose to manage and represent, and there are several reasons why. Columnist Dianna Prince Image of the young Bettie Page! A subject I've wanted to cover awhile now.
In pinup and vintage we're constantly recreating past eras, looks, styles and starlet's. With pinup magazine owners, their personal taste, very much comes into play. One magazine can turn down a set, but another magazine wants to publish it. One magazine may not see your set as a cover, while another magazine will! Flaws are usually things left on the model or within the photograph that visibly stand out, in a negative way, by most people. To me, there's no denying visible flaws, big or small. However, there are those of us who've seriously studied vintage images, and its clear those images had many visible flaws left. I honestly can't see anyone who's a true fan of pinup and vintage, caring too much about the flaws that were left in vintage images we love. The model or starlet is beautiful, has sex appeal, great facial expressions and poses, top quality styling and fabulous wardrobe. Those things will automatically stand out, way above, and out shine any flaws, within the photo. I've been building mini sets for a few years now, using different color and different fabric, curtains. Satin looking curtains were extremely popular in the 50's and in pinup today. Yes, I would agree that when the curtains are steamed and hung correctly, they give off a more polished look. However, we are recreating the past, pinups and starlets of the past, and vintage photos that had flaws, and no one cared then, as no one cares now. I'm a huge supporter of editing, and photo shop! I see no point in shooting to gain publication, if you have no intentions of editing images well, or using any photo shop skills. Yet, that's why I'm personally not the biggest fan of modern - day pinup. Reason being is, the rough, edgy look is completely missing. The colors too bright and vibrant, the images too sharp and perfect looking. The models can be edited so much that it looks nothing at all like vintage styling was done on her. I remember a photographer who photographed me with my set - ups and curtains. He said he was spending so much time trying to edit the curtains to be perfect. I asked why he'd use that amount of time, just on curtains in the background, and requested he leave them, as is. The way they were edited, to me, stood out more than leaving them alone. From that shoot and images on another shoot, using the same curtains, I landed 2 covers, 2 feature in the biggest pinup magazine in the world, and one in a huge, very selective pinup magazine! Only 1 magazine owner mentioned the curtains not being perfect, yet still published several images, from 3 sets of photos, with those curtains. They also mentioned that my bangs, on my Bettie Page wig, looked a bit messy and could have been fixed in photo shop. As well as my wig looking too shiny. I agree the curtains weren't perfect, that my bangs were a bit messy, and shiny hair. All things I knew before, during and after the shoots. All things I purposely left, and either never requested to be fix, or asked to not be fixed. When recreating Bettie Page, you'd have to be blind, not to see the visible flaws left in every one of her images. Curtains were basically never ever perfect! In this blog are the actual images to prove that. Her hair was also not always exactly perfect and was often shiny! If you study the images below you can clearly see, my point is valid, and backed up by facts. So, back to magazine owners and their personal taste effecting which images they select to feature inside, and on the covers. If they personally don't like imperfections left in curtains or props, or imperfections left on the model, that's completely out of anyone else's control. I'm usually, all for a very polished look, and I notice every single flaw, always! However, to those of us who are truly vintage fans, have seriously studied vintage fashions, starlets and images, taking away every single flaw, takes away from a true vintage look overall. I see images with flaws that not only stand out, but don't help add to a true vintage looking photo. Like harsh lines and bags left under the eyes, shiny skin, clothing tags sticking out, bruises, veins or scars left on the model, etc. I've never felt those flaws have much of anything to do with personal taste. They are just plain out, visible flaws that lower the overall quality of the photos. To me, imperfect curtains, messy bangs, etc., are clearly and obviously a major part of vintage images. Same as imperfections left on a back drop. Study vintage images, and you'll see that. When I recreate a huge vintage icon such as Bettie Page, before I book the shoot date and begin to prepare looks, I ALWAYS research heavily!!! To recreate vintage images of her and her looks, means that ALL flaws will not be removed and no extensive amount of photo shop will be done to me. Study these images please. My goal wasn't to try and change ANYONE'S outlook, point of view, opinion, or personal preference and taste! Only, to merely point out that, Bettie Page didn't always have a flawless hairdo, with no imperfections. Her clothing wasn't always on properly And the sets she was photographed on, had many tiny flaws, never removed in editing. Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Pinup Talk by Dianna Prince. My featured model is Kara the official model of The Pinup Master Course and The Dianna Prince Pinup Academy 2018. Country Girl issue of Delicious Dolls Magazine, March 2018!!! Images by John Rettie. Las Vegas. Here's the link to purchase this issue. And my article. Thanks for reading. ***MARCH COUNTRY GIRL ISSUE ON SALE NOW*** Purchase Link: http://deliciousdollsmagazine.com/product/march-2018-se-country-girl-alli-peach-hamilton/ Pinup Talk host Dianna Prince Delicious Dolls Magazine Pinup Talk by Dianna Prince Las Vegas, NV " Fishnets, NUDE Panty Hose "
To this day, all through the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's, fishnet stockings have never went out of style. Maybe, not included in the most popular trends of today but always in style. I say especially in entertainment. Everyone from Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, to burlesque dancers, pinup models, dancers, and waitresses, wear nude color fishnets. They are basically transparent unless your skin is a darker tone, or extremely pail. Nude, full bottom pantyhose, are so common that there's many seller's on eBay selling them in, " regular " size and plus size. I've had a pair months before I had to buy a new pair. Wore them under bathing suits,...... yes 2 piece pinup bathing suits. As well as dresses, lingerie and more. I think even with the closer shots where we can visibly see they are fishnets, it looks great and goes. Then of course there's the ever so popular jet black fishnets. I can name 20 famous models, actresses, burlesque performers and starlets from the 1950's, and 1960's that wore black fishnets, were photographed, performed or went to events in them. 1. Marilyn Monroe 2. Ava Gardner 3. Jayne Mansfield 4. Bettie Page 5. Elizabeth Montgomery 6. Elizabeth Taylor 7. Jayne Russell 8. Betty Grable 9. Sophia Loren 10. Rita Hayworth 11. Bridget Bardot 12. Joan Collins 13. Mamie Von Doren 14. Diana Dors 15. Liza Minnelli 16. Julie Newmar 17. Gloria Talbott 18. Debra Paget 19. Gina Lollogbrigda 20. Anne Corbett I would say the same about bullet bra's as I would fishnets, usually the women who wore them had sex appeal. Classy depending on who you asked, but no doubt about it, sexy. There are full bottom, aka pantyhose, style fishnets. There are thigh high fishnets. Both an extremely popular fashion trend in the 1950's, in jet black. In the 80's, 90's and today there are so many colors, even neon. Body stockings, body suits, bathing suits, bras and panties, gloves, all made with fishnet material, sold today. There are fishnets with lace at the top, some without. Designs with a colored or jet black line up the back. And 2 tone, where the lace is one color, as the boarder at the top and fishnets are a different color. I personally prefer the classic jet black, thigh high with the black line up the back and no lace top. In 1995 pantyhose sales began decline steadily switch. In 2006 sales within United States were at half of what they had once been. Fishnets however became more and more popular. Patterns and colors very popular. Some I would refer to as , " tights ". 1. Fishnet Hose 2. Footless Shapewear 3. Low - Rise Pantyhose 4. Opaque Tights All key items every pinup invests in, whether these garments are seen under vintage lingerie or not seen and shape the body giving form to the wardrobe, panty hose, stockings, garter belts, bra's, panties, etc., all key elements to creating a flawless vintage look from head to toe! If you look closely at images of these famous performers you'll see they all have one major, wardrobe detail in common, nude fishnet pantyhose. Look at their performance and stage images, they all wear nude or jet black fishnets, full bottom, as well as nude pantyhose. Look closely. 1. Beyoncé 2. Mariah Carey 3. J Jo 4. Rihanna 5. Lady Gaga 6. Katy Perry And more! Such a popular wardrobe item with current performers. Burlesque also has many performers who wear fishnets, whether nude or black, colorful, pantyhose and thigh highs. Thank you for reading. Vintage Stylist Dianna Prince |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2019
Categories |