How to Effectively Communicate with models?

[TheFlyingCamera]

Matt-

I think there is a different dynamic with male models, that a touch does not per-se bring to mind thoughts of sexual harassment or other unwanted advances. That said, however, discretion is still the better part of valor and professionalism, and I refrain from making contact with models unless it is necessary (lint removal, stubborn posing issues). I try to verbally describe the pose I'm looking for, illustrate it with photos or drawings from books, and I'll even have them don the focusing cloth and look at me making a fool of myself trying to emulate the pose I want in the ground glass so they can get a better idea of what I'm looking for sometimes.
When I do touch a model to correct a pose, I'll make sure I tell them exactly where I'm planning to touch them, why I'm doing it, and what I'm trying to achieve. I make sure the contact is firm and direct, without being forceful. As Tkamiya mentioned, sometimes a light touch is much easier to mis-interpret than a direct one. I've never had a problem with it so far, because I put in a lot of work up front to build trust and rapport with the models so there isn't a question in their head about what I'm doing, even when I ask first.

 

[benjiboy]

I'd be interested to hear from TheFlyingCamera on this issue, given that he works with male models.

And I find it curious this is in the "Ethics and Philosophy" forum.

My only input on the subject itself is that it works better for me to use hand gestures ("turn this way") than to describe ("turn to the right").

This is particularly effective with models who don't know their left from their right, and believe me some of them don't.

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Also, you're seeing the model in reverse from the way they're thinking about themselves in relation to you. Your left is their right, and vice versa. It lends itself to a lot of potential confusion. In some ways it helps if you're shooting large format because you're seeing them reversed too, so in a way it's right way round!