Shy model!

I heard the discussion on the Jeremy Vine show yesterday. The photographer put the airbrushing down to a 'technical error'. I suppose it would make sense to ask the client in advance whether they want blemishes dealt with. Some would, some wouldn't. It did seem a bit ridiculous that it had become a national news story though since the photographer had apologised and provided a new version. I agree that the photographer can do as they wish but maybe the subject should know they might be on display to the world. I don't know on this point, I don't ask for permission myself and probably won't change that.

I like the photos of Vera, very natural. The third is my pick.

I've yet to photograph a female model who didn't volunteer the request to 'airbrush me as much as you like', 'guffaw'.
I often ask women not to use concealers and foundation as I can do that in Photoshop, and I need clear translucent skin, especially for black and white.
If they turn up in make-up, they clearly want to be enhanced, but I would always ask and I draw the line at modifying permanent features, unless that is my brief. Spots are here today gone tomorrow, so my view is why would you leave them in place unless you want to record that for some reason? A moment in time, an era of someone's life etc.

Ken, I love the smiley one. Beautiful.

I've been watching the comments about the portraits of Vera.

I think the last one of her that beginner got is absolutely stunning .

I know there's a huge controversy about removing blemishes etc - that should be done following a discussion between the subject and the photographer - in my very humble opinion of course

Vera - I'd love to see more portraits of you

Dead right IMO too, but in this case there was no ongoing relationship between the tog and the model, she gave him permission to take her picture and that was the end of it, so from that point it's up to the photographer what he wants to do with the shot. He can treat the shot as if it was a commercial shoot and practise touching up blemishes, or retain it as a candid portrait of an indivual, spots and all.

Poor Vera must be getting paranoid about this thread - let's just be clear: her spots were not at all that bad and you wouldn't look twice at them - you'd just see her rather nice looking face! The discussion of removing spots is part of what you might do for a commercial shoot or a portrait shoot, and would normally be the sort of thing a client would request.

Re the whole blemish removal debate, I think it's long established practice for photographers to give reality a helping hand with the use of soft focus and darkroom/PP techniques. I am, however, uncomfortable with the extremes this has gone too when it comes to actually altering body shapes, particularly when these images are known to be primarily consumed by young women who insist upon comparing themselves to these digitally enhanced models.

I had spots and I hated them, they've cleared up so much now thankyou for all the lovely comments everyone. Here's me without the spots!! https://www.pentaxuser.com/photo/shy-model-38633

Very nice indeed. Speaking as an old git with the experience to know, you're more beautiful now (or at least for the next 5-10 years!) than you ever will be again. Don't make the mistake that I did when I was your age, of torturing yourself with every flaw you can find with your appearance. I didn't like the size of my nose, my height, my hair, the weird sneer that my lip does when I smile. I stressed constantly about whether I looked Ok. And spots.. don't talk to me about spots.

And I'm a bloke! You girls don't have a monopoly on vanity, you know. Little did I know at the time how pointless and trivial all that worry was.

None of that has anything to do with whether or not it's Ok to do a bit of photo-editing. That's entirely down to personal taste, and that varies.

If I take a picture of myself, I improve it a bit. If I take a picture of a woman, and the picture reveals some temporary imperfections, I may remove them on the computer, so that the end result more closely matches the image of that person that is the composite of many different memories of her.

So don't take it personally, and let the photographer make you look as good as (s)he can, and as you want.

Did the photographer use spot metering or pattern

I'll get your coat....

I think some of the comments are a little patronising. She looks like an attractive young woman to me, with skin very much like 99% of the population. She has great facial structure and the portrait although straight on is very strong. I think you have done her proud and I wouldn't change anything on your pictures. This was not a fashion shoot.

Regards
David

I love the shots. The second is especially appealing and different. I wouldn't touch them with photoshop at all! They are great the way they are. Well done

I get the feeling that this thread is really saying

"beginner did you proud Vera - we love the shots "