Thank you, thank you very much
[QUOTE=Noobalicious;3682152]Have you gone too far? That's a tough call. . .
I bet the girls you photograph are pleasantly surprised with the end result, assuming you catch up with them to show them the final product. I would expect that once they know how well they look in the end, word could get around to the other girls making either repeat photo sessions or new models (or new pairings) easier to set up. I have no doubt this forms a part of your street cred that you've developed over time with these ladies.
Does it make them harder to spot for other mongers? Yeah, probably. But after watching your work over time I haven't gotten the sense that you're making a documentary, or just trying to show "gritty reality" (though that came up at least a few times with $10-spot photo locations). Instead, I have the impression you have an overall positive attitude towards women in general, and because of that you want to show these girls in the best possible light to highlight their strengths. I know I have a regular who probably looks somewhat rough on the street, but cleans up incredibly well and my mind doesn't let me see the few flaws here & there.
What's more, great makeup, outfits, locations, and lighting all cater to your desire to make excellent photographs. Unless you have a degradation fetish to feed (by way of those "raw reality" type shoots), it's natural for you to compare your work to other photographers who take advantage of every aspect of the image to create great-looking work. So I see where there's a personal need you're fulfilling by helping your models look as good as they possibly can. Besides, no way someone would keep up the body of work you have for over 10 years without feeding their own need with it somehow.
I don't live in Philly, but I'm probably within range to make a visit sometime. But I'm not a guy you'd be helping find a particular girl on a particular stroll. Even in my own town, with other mongers who've posted pics of girls, the cheap & dirty ones taken with a cell phone are most useful for putting a name to a face. But they don't really help you find the girl.
The guy tells you where he saw her, maybe what time of day or what she was wearing. But clothes change, times the girl needs to be out to get her meds changes, maybe her stroll changes as her living situation moves around. Nothing seems to help finding the girl on the street except being out on the street. (Maybe 2 months ago, I told guys my exact location & time of day when I saw at least 15 different girls within a 3-4 block stretch. Girls were coming out of the woodwork! And others kept posting how that same stretch was dead, before, during, and after the day I was out there. Which just proves you gotta be on the street to find the girls on the street.)
My opinion is the most valuable photos for identifying a girl on the street are the ones that show which girls to avoid at all costs!
I think your goals with your photos, and perhaps your own personal needs from them, are best served with the way you're doing the pics now. Let another monger step up to get the quick & dirty street version for drive-by I'd. You have plenty of fans (whether you know it or not) who appreciate the way you elevate these ladies in your work.[/QUOTE]Finally, out of the darkness an understanding voice . It's not just about me or the girl, it's not just about the pictures - it's a process.
I hope you don't mind if I repost portions of you reply from time to time?
CookyJar.
10 photos
Who's going to do the laundry?
[QUOTE=Noobalicious;3682152]Have you gone too far? That's a tough call. . .
I bet the girls you photograph are pleasantly surprised with the end result, assuming you catch up with them to show them the final product. I would expect that once they know how well they look in the end, word could get around to the other girls making either repeat photo sessions or new models (or new pairings) easier to set up. I have no doubt this forms a part of your street cred that you've developed over time with these ladies.[/QUOTE]
Yes, most of them do get to see their pictures. Some manage to find the site themselves, they are not dummies. Others are shown the site by a friend or regular. And yes, when I can, I will show them their pictures. I usually pick out the best, few girls like to see nudes - that's a man thing.
Plus, on numerous occasions the girls will go out of their way to say how much fun they had. They are talking about the photo session, where they got the opportunity to play act and be something more than a street worker. It was obvious to me that Katie, from the way she knew her away around the outfit she was using for dress-up, was reliving better times. It's a one piece and not easy to figure out. She was very eager, for reasons of her own, to pose and offer suggestions. Sure it is mostly about the money and her needs, but that aside I could tell she was having fun. It's common sense, considering what most girl's day is like, waiting on a corner, in the cold for the opportunity to suck off some stranger in a car, for $20.
Trust me, they do show their appreciation.
And! The more I do, the more I have to do. When she stepped out of the bathroom, wearing that outfit, I barely recognized her. Even though I've photographed her 7,8 or maybe ten time before, I barely recognized her. And! The outfit she is wearing is the same worn by Vicki. We could debate for hours who looked best wearing it. However, there is no debating who took it home and hand washed it in a mild dish detergent. After all, the last thing I want is for a girl to get a hint of the previous wearer. So now I'm doing their f'ing laundry!
CookyJar.