As someone who is passionate about tattoos, and tries to reflect that in my images, how does a photographer see this? Is it a work of art, or do you view it as a 'tarnished canvas'?
Tattoos and scars are part and parcel of the person themselves and something that only adds to the mystery of the image and asks the viewer to wonder what the persons story is. At least that is the way I have always seen it. I have been lucky enough to take photos of some models with amazing ink in the past, and likewise some models with stretch marks from pregnancy who wore those scars like trophies and rightly so.
As for tarnished canvas the only thing that I feel personally that ever tarnishes a body is fake tan,it is always off putting when you see a model who looks like they have been stood by a garden fence when it has been painted. Marc
All depends of the job (if the tog is being paid by a mag for example), or what the photographer is looking for in the shoot.
Many years ago (many) when I was training to be a model, I was taught to keep some camouflage makeup to hand, as its used in the industry to cover up tattoos and blemishes.
But as I said, it really all depends on the shoot. There is a lot of demand for the 'suicide girl' esc look, so it isn't anything to worry about, and is purely and matter of personal preference. Very much a case of 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. Some people like the tattoo look, and some don't, you just can't please everyone.
On another note, I always fancied having the crying freeman tattoo (google it) done on my back, but chances are it would cost a bundle, and I would pass out half way through
It's a very personal choice, and for myself I dislike them very much. If there is a choice between a model with tattoos and one without (and when isn't there a choice?), I will almost always go for one without. Other photographers may well take the exact opposite view or not mind either way.
It all depends on what is required in the finished images.... Tattoos are almost obligatory is many style's of photography, including "Alt fashion", so not a problem.
However, i would not consider a model with visible tattoos for any images where i feel tattoos would detract or are not appropriate in the final images.
So for me it is all about "The Image", what i want the final images for or the overall look i am after.
I agree that tattoos will be common in some shoots, gothic, etc, but I do believe a model is taking quite a risk in getting tattoos which preclude her from softer, more romantic/artistic styles. Keep a few stick-on tattoos in your make-up box for when you need them, and be ready to take them off when they would be a hindrance. Work is in short supply these days, so you need to make yourself as flexible as possible if you are aiming to make modelling a real career and not just a fill-in.
Personally i think tattoo's such as the one on your back are a work of art. I am seriously considering doing a set of photo's based on female's with tattoo's sometime this year. I will keep you informed.
Given that these days three years ago nearly 15% of all women have tattoos and this is growing year on year, it seems that the way we percive the body beautiful is changing. With some of the most iconic women in fashion, music and film having tattoos or piercings (prime example Angelina Jollie who has been voted the most beautiful woman in the world on more than one occasion) I think it is time that the media takes a different look.
The body as a canvas is not a new idea and I find the art of a tattooist often as stunning as the old masters and love to work with people who are inked or pierced as they are often very comfortable in their own bodies.
Then I think I had better shut up! Because I couldn't disagree more on almost every level but I know it is something that many people feel very strongly about.
The number of models with tattoos has been rising and the skinny stereo typical model has been fading for the same amount of time it all comes down to a matter of preference each to there own and all that.
I do feel when looking around at the many many many images being uploaded and published these days tattoos scars and birth marks are now on top! and what many people want to see.
but as Timbee has said a fresh skin model with no tattoos can always have fake tattoos and adapt to a shoot that calls for them its very hard for a model with many tattoos and ones that cover very large areas to cover them up and adapt to a shoot that needs to be tattoo free.
I will say tho if I had 2 models one with tattoos and one with out and was asked which one to pick to do a shoot with....
I would say Im not picking Book them both and ill do 2 shoots!!
Also people with tattoos can be and fit in well to the softer, romantic/artistic styles.
After all they are just like any other model what is that saying Oh yes "don't judge a book by its cover" it all comes down to the way you shoot the image and how you portray the models within it!
Maybe, but the two main commissions I have at the moment, one for a website, one for some book-covers, both specify no tattoos/piercings. The last time I did offer images of a tattooed model, the magazine rejected them and I had to re-shoot. At the hobby level maybe its ok, but in the commercial area, I think a tattooed model is greatly reducing her potential for work.
Well obviously No one would shoot a model with tattoos for a Client that Specify No tattoos/piercings as that would be a pointless shoot! and not within the clients Requested requirements!
But I wouldn't rely on Commissions that I have and let it limit my photography or my time shooting If I wanted to do something more then just add or refresh to my Portfolio I would make some calls and find a Client for them.
I have photographed models with modest tattoos and some of these are in my portfolio and on my website but in 25+ years in photography I have never been asked by a client to photograph a model with tattoos. My clients do not want models with tattoos and those models do restrict their saleability!
I'm not saying (nor is Graham) that tattoos are 'a good thing' or 'a bad thing'. There is a market for them, but it is smaller than the 'general' market for fashion/glamour/erotica (call it what you will). That means that a model who gets a lot of tattoos is, necessarily, ruling themselves out from a large part of the market, and ruling themselves in to a small part of the market. That is fine, if they are happy with that. However what concerns me, is that many younger models go and get tattoos without fully understanding what the consequences will be for their future earning potential. That is the point that Graham and I, as experienced photographers, are making and I do most earnestly wish we could make it more generally so that prospective models could make a better informed choice.
And bear in mind that is the position today. 10 years ago, tattoos were not very common; I don't know what things will be like in 10 years time, but I do know that the fashion will have moved on again, because fashions always do. But these models will still have the tattoos, and then things may be even harder for them.
Hey guys, great discussion, and so good that all opinions have an open forum like this to communicate. One thing I'm trying to reconcile...David Beckham is one of the most successful tattoo models on the planet (apart from his footballing skills so why is it different for a man?
I know, but it seems some users are repeatedly expressing their same opinion over and over. It is better sometimes to say your peace, then to foster a potential argument. And I've being bouncing around forums for long enough to see when an argument is brewing.
Timbee you sound as if you are making out your the only "experienced photographer" here, lol
At the end of the day if any one wants to get tattoos then its down to what they want be they working as a model or as a bus driver.
Its all well saying they should be better informed but I think you should give them more credit No one gets a tattoo without thinking hard about it, But its up to the model what they want to do. "I know I have ink"
The chances are that If a model is thinking about getting a tattoo or many tattoos that will cover a large part of there body in a way that can not be covered Then he/she will probably not be looking to become the Fresh faced model as your sugesting all clients want anyway!
In no way does it mean that He/she will make more or less money from modelling or limit the jobs they are called for.
the stats show that tattooed models are doing just as well as non tattooed models what with how Fashion if the fact that now as you have said Tattoos are very populer there are many web sites magazines devoted to them from fashion to fetish.
just to also ad that many of the top fasion runway models of 2011 have tattoos and anumber of NY and UK designers have put fake tattoos on the models to grace the runway!
Enola Gay originally asked what photographers think about tattoos. Each tog can only reply from their perspective and what their individual experience is - mine is above. Each photographer has to decide whether they need a 'greenfield site' or a 'brownfield site' to work on!
To answer Francispierre, I know that a model's earning potential will be reduced because that is supply and demand. It applies to all professions. I know that tattoos were not common 10 years ago because I was photographing loads of models 10 years ago: few had tattoos; (35 years ago - when I started - none did!). But as Graham has just said, I am only answering Enola Gay's (interesting name!!) question on how this photographer feels about tattoos. I don't like them mainly because commissioning editors don't like them. Tim
I do Understand the nature of the thread, as well as that you have your opinions,
I will never decide whether I need a greenfield or brownfield site as you put it graham, and I know many other Pro Photographers that would never Limit there work in such away,
I will Point out that although "35 years ago you may not have seen many Tattoos" People and models with tattoos have been widely Photographed and documented for well over 100 years so a little bit of A Reality Check is that there is many clients and phototographers that use and work with tattooed models
As I said before you only have to be at the Big fashions shows to know that even many of top models have tattoos and not all of them are small and can be covered.
tatoos may well limit the kinda work a model is called for but no way more than the, Age, race colour, sex and overall looks of the model.
Edit: just to point out that Timbee for someone that does not like tattoos says models with tattoos are limiting there work its Nice to see that the first model in your folio has a very Clear tattoo in a very prominent place.
I'd forgotten her! But actually that is a very good point. The reason the photo is there is because I wasn't able to use it. The publishers rejected her because of that tattoo. She's a lovely girl, a great model, great fun to work with and would have been ideal, but in the end I had to use somebody else for that commission.
