The World of Model Mayhem
Posted on 16 July 2010
It seems that Model Mayhem is the go-to site if you want to find models for a shoot in your local area. In fact, I did a search and there are literally thousands of females in a 25 mile radius of my location in Tampa. But wait, you don’t exactly get thousands, or even hundreds of useful model portfolios. The good ones are far too rare. I used their search engine and did a search and then started looking through the results and I was shocked at the huge number of unprofessional sample images. The huge majority of the models don’t even have a single decent head shot! One out of 50 has a forward facing face shot that lets you see what the person looks like.
Shots like the one above are all too common. (Relax, I didn’t rip off somebody’s portfolio image. This is a stock shot from iStock.) But you can see how the focus is NOT on her face and models expect you to pick them based on these “lifestyle” type shots. Now, I’m sure this girl has very nice proportions and a very cute, if not pretty, face. But based on this shot, I’d be hiring ‘the girl with big legs.’ Not that she really has big legs. Just that the camera angle in this shot makes it seem so. You can’t really tell what her hair looks like. You don’t really know what her face shape is like. Heck, her skin color is even indeterminate based on this exposure. And the other problem with LOTS of the close up shots is that the retouching is so over-the-top that all skin texture is blurred to the texture of a warm lump of wax.
In the end, Model Mayhem is a good resource and seems to be somewhat helpful, but I’m thinking they should have some kind of rating system to help photographers weed out the totally unprofessional folks from the people who know what they’re doing. And it shouldn’t be based on the model’s self-description or how “new” they are.
And I’m checking out the effectiveness of the Casting Call features too. It will be interesting to see what kind of results come in. Once I have worked with Model Mayhem’s site for a little while, I’ll post an update on any tips and tricks I discover for making the system work for a photographer’s needs.
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5 responses to The World of Model Mayhem
Good post Larry,
Having used MM for a few years now it’s like anything else, you get what you pay for. MM is a FREE site. Just about anyone can register as a “model”, photographer, makeup artist, photoshop wizzard, etc. They are usually pretty good (now) about not letting “models” on the site with camera phone self portraits, but after that the quality of the model will vary drastically.
Their portfolio is a great starting point, but I’ve even learned to look beyond that. I look to see what other photographers they’ve worked with AND THEIR work. I also love to see the model’s Facebook, Myspace, etc. page because 9 times out of 10 they’ll have a “snapshot” of themselves so that you can see what they really look like
un Photoshopped.
I could do a class on finding models LOL or a book about the adventures of finding models.
Lastly, happy Friday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9r_4IF8q1s
Boy, you’ve opened a can of worms this time. I agree with Terry that you get what you pay for when using MM. There are a few people in every community who are actually pretty good and enjoy photography/modeling as a sideline or hobby. Then there are countless people who flake out when it comes time to actually shoot.
If there were a rating system, I’d want the ability to know if the person (model, photographer, etc.) actually did what they committed to doing.
If Terry does a class on finding models, I’d love to see it. Maybe I’m just doing it wrong, and I’ve pretty much given up on Model Mayhem as a resource.
Maybe this is an opportunity for upcoming photographers to help these models improve their images.
Will, I believe you’re right. I have an idea for a project to do that, but need to work out some logistical issues and find a location.
Whoah, the lack of a rating system is a serious drawback for a service like this. It’s Polish counterpart - http://www.maxmodels.pl - has a simple rating option plus a reference section, where photographers who already worked with a model can share their opinions.