penndragon72 Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 I'm extremely interested in doing photographs of tattoos. The problem being is I'm a poor college student and can't afford to pay big bucks on models while trying to put my portfolio together. Does anyone have suggestions on how to find people to model, preferably on the cheap, especialy when you are looking for a specific demographic? Also would like to do some nude photography which is also hard to find people willing. Any suggestions would be much appreciated! thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richsimmons Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Hit the tattoo shops and barter. They let you shoot, you give them some prints for adversiting, etc. Be up front and honest, you'll get shot down, but you'll probably get a lot of positive responsese too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toreli Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 ask theam for T.F.P time for prints or TFCD thear time for all images on a cd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Are there places where there aren't people with tattoos? How about people working at Starbuck's, people at any local nightclub, people walking down the street. Most people are proud to have their tattoos photographed, it's not a big deal to them. I've never paid anyone to take photos of their tattoos, and they don't ask for prints. Usually they thank me for taking their photos.<p>Nude is a little different. I would recommend having a decent portfolio of clothed shots and then showing that when you are looking for nude models.<p>I took this one at the front desk at a gym:<p><center><img src="http://www.spirer.com/images/appetite.jpg"><br><i>Appetite for Destruction, Copyright 2005 Jeff Spirer</i></center><p>I've probably asked 100 people to photograph their tattoos and never had anyone say no or ask for something in return. I even shot a guy with very obvious prison tattoos, he was a little hostile in general but let me shoot anyway. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beauh44 Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 This is just for fun - for the tat fans and even programmers. I haven't a clue how they do it. It's just a clever, online beer ad that's in Spanish. It's best to have high-speed Internet access because it takes a minute to load. Once it does, turn your speakers on, put your first name in the first box, and your last name in the second, then press the "Visualizar" button. (You can make up a name but it's not as fun) Here's the link: http://www.tatuagemdaboa.com.br/ Pretty amazing as well as amusing. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beauh44 Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Sorry... Forgot to mention: Jeremy, try Myspace. Seriously. Search in your geographical area and offer to photograph whoever strikes your fancy and/or their tatts in exchange for some photos. The worst that'll happen is they'll say no or won't write back. I wouldn't even bring up nudes but after you've hopefully met a few willing subjects and they see you're not a psycho, well it can happen, sometimes. I wasn't trying to shoot her tatts, but I met (name-witheld) on Myspace (this shot's obviously not a nude): http://www.photo.net/photo/5627667 Here's a different shot, same model: http://www.photo.net/photo/5002530 Here's a different model from Myspace, no (visible) tatts but who cares: http://www.photo.net/photo/4825841 Anyway, you get the idea. You could also try one of the "modeling" sites like OMP - http://www.onemodelplace.com - but I don't think a photographer can sign up for a free account. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 <i>It's just a clever, online beer ad that's in Spanish.</i><p>It's very well-done, but I think it's in Portuguese. Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beauh44 Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 D'oh! Thanks, Jeff. I'm a real worldly guy! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda guerra Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Ummmm yeah...that's not Spanish, it's Portugese, Beau! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda guerra Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Oh, Hi Jeff, I didn't see you'd already done the correcting! :o) Gracias por rescatar a nuestra gente que no sabe leer en Espanol...:o) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch_tbhotmail.com Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 You could always get tattooed then set up for some self portraiture... if not, try an ad on Craigslist. Who knows, its worth a shot. By the way Beau, that second shot is SWEET. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
payal_parikh Posted January 3, 2008 Share Posted January 3, 2008 Just ask. Broadly speaking, people don't get tattoos to hide them. They'd be proud to show it off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beauh44 Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 Thanks Ryan - it's her "fault". ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Goose Posted January 4, 2008 Share Posted January 4, 2008 If you really want to see a lot of tattoos then go to a Gothic Party, tattoos are a part of the lifestyle and many won't mind to let it photographed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penndragon72 Posted January 4, 2008 Author Share Posted January 4, 2008 Thanks everyone for your Feedback! It's always great to hear such a variety of awnsers from such a broad selection of artists. The more info and the more I can learn the better. Thanks again! J.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milton-chris Posted January 5, 2008 Share Posted January 5, 2008 Wow, what coincidence! My neice (18) has many tattoo's and I ased her to let me photo some of them. The one's I am most interested in shooting are in her armpit and on the top of her feet. For the armpit one, which is a 1950's pin-up girl with a broken heart and tears, are there any special things I should think of in terms of lighting, etc.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penndragon72 Posted January 14, 2008 Author Share Posted January 14, 2008 Chris, The armpit shot would be a little tough but not too bad. Try having her lay down with her arm behind her head in the typical pin-up girl pose. If she is dressed similarly as the girl in tat that would be especialy cool! Lighting shouldn't be an issue just make sure you have a simple background. The point of the photo should be to focus on the tattoo but also to show why the person got that particular tattoo and how it relates to them. Every tattoo I have seen, the person has felt connected to that tattoo for a reason. My photo's try to show the relationship between the person and the tat. Let me know if you have any questions or need some advice. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyography Posted August 29, 2008 Share Posted August 29, 2008 I use either myspace.com or craigslist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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