Working with Groups

How many of you have worked with large groups of models? Before yesterday I've done twos and threes, but yesterday worked with five models for the first time. It was very fun, and VERY hard work... Thankfully Heather helped lighten the load - including bringing home made cookies (which keep models happy) and fixing my Holga which jammed mid-roll (which keeps photographers happy) - thanks Heather

I've not developed the film yet (I've run out of developer) but will post some things here if they come out as well as I hope. (If you can't wait then there are a few digital shots on my MM profile page, #420949, and some of the models' pages.)

I thought it would be interesting to hear people's experiences of working with groups of models. The top lessons from my limited experience so far are:

• Every model you add doubles the difficulty... (try watching 5 pairs of eyes, 5 mouths, 10 hands, and 5 people breathing all at the same time!)
• Good preparation is essential
• Matching multiple models is really difficult unless you've worked with every model before (and even then mistakes happen)
• Have a spare of everything to hand (yes, even a spare Holga!)
• Worry more about depth of field

Does anyone else have any suggestions?

Hi Ian,

Congrats on a successful shoot!

Wow, 5 models at the same time. I have never had so many. 3 was the most I've had at the same time, but also those times, none were for fine art nudes. I guess the principles are the same though, so for me it's all about clear, concise direction during the shoot. I also find that I have a 'pep' talk before the shoot to articulate the image that I am trying to get and tell each model what I am expecting from each of them and how they should interact with the other models.

I went to your MM port and saw some the outake digisnaps and they look good. I think everyone in the FAN social group is eagerly awaiting your images.

Regards, Art.

gr82bart said:

... clear, concise direction during the shoot...

Click to expand...

Yes - and using their names too. Saying, "Katie, can you look to your left," is better than, "Can you look to your left, Katie," because the latter confuses all the other models. But just saying, "Look to your left," unleashes mayhem

Yes, a spare holga would have been good but since I just developed the roll from my holga and it has *really weird* marks on the film, I think you probably don't want to use mine as a backup Not totally sure what upset it but the marks go all the way to the film edge so it's not the image or shutter, it's something within the body causing strange irregular bar-code thin lines... that went from next to no marks to lots and lots of marks by the end of the roll so I'm guessing it's a problem with the winding on and probably my electrical tape filmgates (old holga, no 6x6 mask in it). I'll try to troubleshoot it and fix it and then you can use it as a backup if it's not more hassle connecting the hotshoe sync to it.

I liked the images, or at least the concept of some of them, even if they're not as technically perfect as you wish them to be. The models do work well together mostly and were quite creative. It does start to become a bit busy in your kitchen with that many models! Maybe having a small table set up for cookies, nattering, and teapot with milk jug and sugar pot would work better for next time. It's well organised chaos to watch...

I think the most I've ever worked with in a group was three, also. If you have a good group of models, and a clear, articulated vision of what you want to accomplish, it goes pretty smoothly. If you don't have both the above, it's just going to be a torture session for all involved. I've been very fortunate that when I've worked with a group, everyone has been on the same page, and very comfortable working with other models. One thing I've found with a lot of models, especially male models, is that often they're aok with shooting nude alone, but add another model into the photo and they freak out and can't/won't do it.

I tried doing some male groups for a charity a while ago, but it was so hard to find and match models that we ended up doing singles. The guy who was organising the models actually got banned from one of the sites for placing his casting call! A ridiculous reaction when you think about what's deemed 'normal' in those places.

Heather - Could it be a light leak from one side? As the spools turn the film would get closer to or further away from the edge of the case depending on which side they're on.