Excessive tattoos on models

[imagesbyeduard]

Individuality is the most important aspect in art. I consider a model as a living, breathing work of art. Many of the models I have come across emphasize their individuality by what I feel is excessive body art. I don't begrudge their decision to decorate their bodies, but there are occasions when I need to shoot a model with minimum to no body art. I'm finding it difficult to locate such models. As a point of curiosity, what is the consensus of other photog, models regarding body art?

[Mister Sith]

Honestly, I can't imagine it'd be that hard to find models who don't have ink. Think about it: unless they're going into that niche modeling market where more ink is better, most would tend to have smaller subtle tattoos (if any) which should be easy to remove in post. Or just look for other models to photograph if you don't want any ink in your photos at all.

That aside, I personally, am a big fan of tattoos. I do intend to acquire several as soon as I legally can, and if a model has a tattoo located on an area of his/her body that I am photographing, I'll probably just find a way to incorporate it into my photographic vision. It's as much of a part of them as much as anything else on their body, right? I personally would never remove or go out of my way to cover up a tattoo unless the model or a client specifically requests it.

[scoundrel1728]

Tattoos are popular now, but they are also very difficult to remove, hence are a lifetime commitment. They can also change in undesirable ways as a person ages. Therefore, take care when deciding on a tattoo that you can live with its content, size, and location for a long time. The practice of tattooing also goes in cycles. I expect that it is pretty much at its maximum popularity but I predict that it will be much less so for the generation being born right about now.

I also find it hard to believe that suitable models with little or no ink are that difficult to find, even now.

[JackAZ]

Even professionals shooting commercial photography are running into similar problems (read Kirk Tuck's The Fake Baker). Part of societal change. I'm sure photographers of the 60's said the same thing about hair. "I can't find any models with nice hair; they're all hippies." I jest, and sadly don't have a solution to solving this problem. I guess high quality retouchers who specialize in removing tattoos in post production will be in high demand in the not too distant future.

[Steven G Webb]

I've never tried to find models, inked or not so I have no input on how difficult or easy it should be or is to find a clean skinned model. My guess is with the popularity of body art among the age group most sought after for modeling it could be a challenge. For me to say it is one way or another doesn't change the reality I know nothing about.

I do not care for tattooing. The colors have historically turned an awful color of green and they don't stay pretty nearly as long as they stay. I suspect in a few years there will be as many laser tattoo removal clinics as there are tattoo shops today. They do seem to run in cycles, popularity wise. Suntans have a bad name now and a generation ago bronze beauty was fashion nirvana. Ink will doubtless go the same way in time. Thank goodness photos are no longer the permanent thing they used to be either.

[stef@apl]

Anyone under 30 has a pretty good chance of having ink, increasing in frequency as you get closer to 20 or so. I've noticed this myself.

Most people don't have "excessive" tattoos, so it shouldn't be too tough to find some with few or none.

Here's one I did... Suspension Body Art (squeamish viewer beware)

[Rain Lily]

Originally Posted by JackAZ

Even professionals shooting commercial photography are running into similar problems (read Kirk Tuck's The Fake Baker).

Jack, I checked out that link - WOW! I want to do this kind of photography! Karma for providing the link.

[korman]

I think, people having tattoos have a higher chance of wanting to show themselves (and their decorations) than the average. They already make some kind of statement with their bodies by the modifications they put on it. So it isn't very surprising, if you find a disproportionate high number of people with tattoos and piercings in the amateur modelling scene.

For professionals, I guess tattoos will just be treated as blemishes and a reason for not being eligible for certain jobs. So the clever model will stay away from them. Specially bad is having last years tattoo fad and not the current one. For example tribal tramp stamps seem to be totally out and now ranking flower patters seem to be the craze. Hard to be hip when the former decorates your lower back.

Interestingly enough on Model Mayhem and such sites, models start to find it worth mentioning if they have a clear skin without tattoos to set them apart from the crowd.

Korman

[tomrit]

Tattoos, body piercings, trashy clothes. I drove by a funeral crowd getting into their cars to go to the cemetery the other day; not a dark suit in sight, everyone was wearing tee shirts, and jeans or shorts. We truly have a classless society today, no one has any class at all.

[Rain Lily]

you know what, I'm removing my response to Tom because it really doesn't have anything to do with the original intent of the thread, it was just a reaction to the above post. Sorry to clutter up the thread even more.