Friday, May 24, 2013

To Model or not to Model? That is the Question....

In the culture I grew up in, involving oneself in spirited theological discussions, and debates was about as common as dog poop on the sidewalks of Paris (and I like Paris). With apologies to my parents, who have invested so much time and effort in me throughout the years, I would like to bring attention to a question of great importance that continues to be debated in the great beading academies around the world...

Do pretty models enhance and elevate, or distract and detract in the photographic presentation of a design? Can a model be so pretty that he or she creates a disconnect with the average man or woman, who may not have the high cheekbones and chiseled abs, but have great personalities?

I have spent many hours quietly contemplating this issue as the battle 2013 fast approaches. The early entries I have received for BOTB13 have been split down the middle. Some of the designs are pictured with models to accentuate scale, while many others do not.  

I have decided this requires much further study.    

What do you think?

Add caption




































11 comments:

  1. It is difficult to decide. Sometimes the model helps the piece, enhances the colors; but it can also diminish the beauty of the bead work. The artist should be the one who knows what is best for the piece. In my opinion the piece by itself is most important, even if you decide to have fun by presenting it on a model as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think I prefer seeing the pieces without a model so I can study and enjoy the beadwork itself.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I think, we as artists will always appreciate a piece itself without a model, and this question que be answered better with the public in general, the customers, when I use models in my designs is with the purpose of showing how it looks like in a person, so people can see how it fits...remember my firs lenguage is spanish, I hope I am not writhing nonsense things... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like to see the piece first and then to check how it looks on a model, but actually it works also opposite..first to see a creation on a model and then to check how it looks by itself..pure art..i think both are good - with and without a model. I will have my piece presented both ways...and the model will be very well known person...me)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Now I am second guessing myself! I really like the pix without models as you can see the work better....but there was so much earlier chatter about using models, that I went with the flow....wondering now, Steven, if I should take more pix to send to you!

    ReplyDelete
  6. If we are talking about these pictures, I like the first necklace without the model and the second necklace looks nice either way.

    ReplyDelete
  7. For my jewels - it is strongly depends on the actual designs. There are necklaces that you just can not understand unless it is shown on a model.
    But for the BOTB i´d like to see the pieces both ways. You can show the small details better without models. But for the overall impression it is nice to see them on a person. If she should be a model or not - that is another question ;)

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm suppose I'm a bit in between on this subject. My main opinion in this is to showcase the jewelry pieces and looking at these four different pictures of two different, stunning pieces I can say that the second piece by Maryanne works great in both ways, cause they both showcase the main product in a great way. The Model photo is great cause it's a really clean picture without any distractions whatsoever.
    Now... The first piece I prefer to see on its own compared to the photo with a model. Why? I think the styling is really, really distraction and the first thing I looked at was the dress and the necklace just really disappeared into it, and it should stand out.
    I think it depends on how the styling is executed when it comes to using the jewelry together with a model and not really "if" it should be together with a model or not.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I feel both "for and against" opinions make valid points. I think as beaders, we look beyond the model and search the piece for color, quality, design, etc. Whereas, perhaps the general public might be viewing this merely as a piece of jewelry, regardless of how spectacular it is, and wants to see how it might look on themselves. When using a model I think there is a fine line to be observed...keep the focus on the jewelry, yet show how "wearable" the piece is. Not every photo shoot needs a tiger!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love seeing the work without the model. The girls are beautiful and their apparel fantastic, but they add nothing to the merits of the piece. I prefer to enjoy the sensibilities of the art on its own so that I can take in every little nuance of the artist's work.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think if they use a model to show how the piece is to be worn that is great, but the emphasis should still be on the piece, not the model. Also, it can be a big expense to try and get the perfect picture with a model and may limit some truly talented people.

    ReplyDelete