Should I bother editing pics?
 

OK, so here is the dilema, and I am hoping I can get some advice on this...

All the pictures on Cal Models I take myself in my own amateur way, and lest to say, they are not professional... I used to edit the pics (and in most cases do a real crappy job) thinking I shall atleast put in a background because the shadows of the studio lights (and by studio, I mean a glorified room next to our server room that I use an an amateur studio)...

Now editing the pictures is boring as hell, and takes a lot of time specially since usually I dont know what the hell I am doing in the first place, and in doing up a freesite and looking over the sponsor, they are actually touting that the pictures are not airbrushed or touched up (but then again the pictures are very professional and dont look anything like mine)...

So I got to thinking, maybe the way I should be placing Cal Models is amateur models by amateur photographer (I was kinda thinking along those lines already) but now I'm thinking, why not take this a step further and not bother doing anything more than a cursory light adjustment and crop of the pics, and dont bother with backgrounds? And even though this may not qualify as a niche, but maybe it would get people interested enough if say for example I use the "amateurs by an amateur" link on freesites that I do (of the three per page that I am allowed) and maybe people may be more inclined to click and visit?

Attached are two pics to illustrate what Im talking about, one is actually on Cal Models right now, and the other is the raw picture with just crop... Im hoping for some advice :)

EDIT: Ok so apparently I am allowed to attach just one file per post, so the other pic is here

http://www.calgarymodels.com/index.p...g2_itemId=1324

Why edit? You are targeting surfers looking for amateurs so why not make the pics look amateurish as you can. Just make sure you use PPS and not recurring :D

Learning some simple lighting techniques would save you a lot of time in PS, and look better too.

Try to make an automated batch out of it. I you are going to use the photos for teasing, you probably better edit them. If you put them into the member area to fill it up, well a batch job can probably do the job

I agree with all three of the previous posts. First of all, work on your lighting a little, and you will probably eliminate a lot of your need to edit. Second, amateur is amateur and people like to connect with people that they feel are REAL. Third, You might want to touch up the pics on the front page, and stuff you'll use for some promotions, but no way should you need to edit all of them.

Just my opinion though.

If you want to make them look more amateur, get them out of the studio & into a normal everyday setting.

Thanks a lot guys...

GG Ive been wanting to take it on location for a while now and the only thing thats been keeping me back has been time required to set it up...

Lemmy & Amy I know exactly what you guys mean by lighting, and Im gonna invest in a better set of lights so I can eliminate the stupid shadows on the back wall... thats always been the thing thats bothered me and thats what I have been attempting to get rid of with the backgrounds, but extracting the model and layering her on another background is painful :)

Servhot.. "d-oh" question... how'd I automated batch it? Does PS do that?

You have issues of color balance, and some lighting issues (it would appear your two strobes are as strong one side as the other, which gives you a very flat and unappealing look to the model).

Either you are shooting with a warming filter, have your white balance on a digital camera set incorrectly, or you are using photoshop to "warm" it after the fact. Either way, your whites are not white (the background) and the model's skin is a very unhealthy color.

Work hard to shoot correctly, cleanly, and without issues, and you will get better net results that require much less attention after the fact.

Alex

I look forward to seeing you new batch or professional amateur pics :D

the same thought keep it real

bedroom,kitchen.office etc

Your pics are fine. Focus on marketing. Take a look at Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photos. They have plenty of flaws. A sexy pic, is a Sexy Pic

Just make sure we can see the good stuff !!!

best
Eugene