Reviews (10)

Lots of filler and not enough insight
I'm very disappointed by the lack of content in this book. After breezing through it in one night I felt like there was so much more that can be covered. Most of the book were pictures the author has taken for portfolios he's build. The quality of pictures are ok at best. It would have been more useful if he used portraits from photographers to contrast to his own style. The reader had to take the authors word on what looks right and wrong. 1 or 2 more view points would have made a huge difference.
A nicely comprehensive guide!
Pegram does an eminently readable job in covering the modeling portfolio process ~ I own several books on the subject, and this volume has superseded them all to become my "go-to" reference.

Best for beginners
Model portfolio photography tends to be a seductive pursuit that attracts photographers who either lack the necessary experience, or shouldn't be doing it in the first place. Portfolios are properly shot by working fashion or product illustration photographers who understand the challenges.
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Subjects:  1. Careers    2. Modeling    3. Photo Techniques    4. Photography    5. Portraiture    6. Subjects & Themes - Fashion    7. Techniques - General    8. Photographs: portraits    9. Photography / Techniques   

Reviews (43)

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints by Montiel
This work provides a pictorial presentation of street life in
whearfor art though Father Angelo?
Well, the times are changing for Mr. Miller, but for Dito, the best bookwriter we have seen in a generation, things are changing too... for the better.So far he has won multiple awards at Sundance, but will he dance his way into the sunset? The film wasnt entered in Cannes, but Cannes you imagine a better movie if it did? There's a high expectation for the release of "Saints", but Dito's books and movieSaint gonna leave our heart anytime soon!We all know and love Robert Downey, but when Dito is Downey aint out! And how about his co-star Rosario Dawson? We should start callin her Rosario Dawsome, not for her looks or acting, but for being part of such an excellent, award winning vehicle!
now hear this
now hear this, to anyone who dis -respects the best book ever written. A guie to reconizing your saits, or as we "in the know" call it, "saints", may be the best book ever written. Now you ask: Why?Ok, here goes! You can't stop this train rolling! I can't wait for the movie. It is, as they say in ALL the major newspapers of this land, the greatest movie of our generation. Ebert and roper all agree: Two thumbs WAY up! There I said it. to the BS artist below who says he grew up ina greek and italian neighborhood: i say this: "Blow me". You got beaten up in that neighborhood.I have written way more booksthan dito. Most of them better, some just as good. He is still a decent person. I can't deny facts in black and white. All I know is that if Robert Downey Jr and Rosario dawson are in it, it is a guaranteed block buster.
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Subjects:  1. Artists, Architects, Photographers    2. Authors, American    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    8. Genres & Styles - Rock    9. Literary    10. Modeling    11. Models (Persons)    12. Montiel, Dito    13. Musicians    14. Personal Memoirs    15. Rock Music    16. United States    17. Biography & Autobiography / Artists, Architects, Photographers   

Reviews (2)

VERY PLEASED
This book is elegant.It make women look like elegant and INTELIGENT people, which they are. The fashions are dignified and wonderful.This book features one model that had the ideal elegant look of that time along with the top designerat the time that still infuence great ladies of today.It is tragic that this image in not sought after today by most.Even though it is not, we can look on these pages and see real beauty and grace.
Classic photographs of elegant 1950's fashions
In the 1950's, fashion designers and photographers produced commercial images that are now appreciated as fine art.Comparatively few books have concentrate on this work.This book, a collection of photos from the personal album of a leading Paris model of the period, is one of the best.Most of the photos show the model (Stella) in Jacques Fath, some are in Adele Simpson and others.Various types of images are included: studio, runway, etc.Many exemplify a particularly 1950's style - the model is photographed outdoors, on the sidewalks of Paris, lounging against a parked car, in a park, etc.Always gracefully posed in extremely elegant clothes. The photos are almost exclusively from 1953-55 and in black and white.Text is minimal.The book is produced to a high standard; photo reproductions are very high quality, paper is heavy matte stock, the binding is sewn.Most photos have captions identifying the designer, photographer, and date. Highly recommended to those interested in classic black and white photography and 1950's style. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Commercial Photography    3. Fashion    4. Individual Photographer    5. Modeling    6. Photo Essays    7. Photography    8. Subjects & Themes - Fashion   

Reviews (221)

One of the worst books published. Ever.
I can't believe that someone would actually consider Paris Hilton to be their role model, especially after reading this book. Spoiled, lazy, obnoxious, and full of her so called "accomplishments", Paris is a product of her upbringing and life style that is unattainable and simply unrealistic for the most people who have to earn their living. She actually thinks that earning a living is an insult.
Well driven and sophisticated
After reading this book though, you'll find out how amazing, driven, sophisticated,meaningful, and hardworking Hilton really is! Hilton has always been my role model and this book gave me an even bigger reason to appreciate her. Not only did it offer fantastic fashion, love, and life advice, but it also showed me who Paris Hilton really is. I loved this book.Her advices might work, if you really want to believe.I think peoepl who dont understand her should read her book and get a different attitude towards her, she is intelligent.

PARIS=FAMILY GIRL,MODEL,ACTRESS,DUMB BLONDE AND WANNABE?
I lurve this book and because of it,i now see Paris Hilton in a different light and i think i do idolise her now.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Celebrities    6. Modeling    7. Models (Persons)    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Rich & Famous    10. Socialites    11. United States    12. Women    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: general    15. Performing Arts    16. USA   

Reviews (26)

How to Become a Successful Commercial Model:The Complete Commercial Modeling Handbook
This book is a great resource for aspiring commercial models.It is laid out in simple terms with detailed step by step instructions to get you through the processes of putting together a composite sheet, finding an agent and photographers, and even finding work on your own.If you believe (like most people do) that you have to be 5'11" tall and a size 2 to work in the modeling field, you will soon see you are wrong.Most of the modeling going on in the advertising world today is done by commercial models, like Aaron.Here is a unique opportunity to take advice from someone who has worked in the industry and can point you in the direction of real success.If you buy this book, you are laying the groundwork for a successful career.I recommend skimming over it once, then going through it with a highlighter and pen to put in notes and highlight terms and things you want to remember.It is an invaluable resource for those of us in the commercial modeling field.

A Great Guide
This book is an easy to read, comprehensive guide on what a beginner needs to know to launch a career in commercial modeling.It covers a variety of areas and gives specific examples of whatever it is they are referencing ex) contracts, checklist, etc.It was the best investment I have made so far!

How to Become a Successful Commercial Model: The Complete Commercial Modeling Handbook
This book is NOT worth the money that the publisher has set. The Complete Idiot's Guide to being a Model is $10 cheeper and ten times better. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Career/Job    2. Careers - General    3. Careers / Job Opportunities    4. Advice on careers & achieving success    5. Fashion & beauty industries    6. Modeling    7. Models (Persons)    8. Vocational guidance    9. Fashion   

Reviews (1)

A Fashion Fly on the Wall
It's something of a misnomer, the title of Larry Fink's hilariously gruesome portrait of the fashion world. In Runway, his latest and most spectacular book of photographs, the much-celebrated "catwalk"barely figures at all. Fink's much more interested in the backstage drama,and in this behind-the-scenes record of the culminating moments in theseasonal paroxysms devoted to ready-to-wear and haute couture, he findstheater aplenty. Read more

Subjects:  1. Clothing trade    2. Documentary Photo Collections    3. Documentary photography    4. Fashion design    5. Fashion shows    6. Individual Photographer    7. Modeling    8. Photo Essays    9. Photography    10. Pictorial works    11. Subjects & Themes - Fashion    12. Photographs: collections   

Editorial Review

Michael Gross exposes the day-to-day business of beautiful young women, sex and drugs. Through hundreds of in-depth interviews with models, photographers and agents, he develops a flowing narrative history of the modeling industry from its birth to the present day supermodel craze. It's a story of serendipitous careers like that of industry creator Richard Powers, an out-of-work actor who created a niche for himself by providing beautiful people for the newly-developed fields of photography and advertising. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Great History Lesson on the Modeling Business
This book was less gossipy than I thought it would be.The first 2/3rds are great.The book serves as a wonderful primer for anyone going into the modeling industry or just interested in its origins.
Excellent book for anybody interested in the subject
Heard and enjoyed the taped version of MODEL by Michael Informative historic review of modeling
The strong points of this book become easily evident if even one only looks at the several-page-long bibliography. Mr. Gross has done a commendable job of research and has presented a voluminous material, including multiple interviews, pictures, etc. From a historical standpoint, there is probably no better book written on the modeling business (particularly in the US).( There is actually and afterward to the paperback edition, which brins some current news as of 2002.)Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Fashion    5. Industries - General    6. Modeling    7. Modeling agencies    8. Models (Persons)    9. Models, Fashion   

Reviews (15)

Aspiring Model
I am impressed with the amount of information this book gave. It really guides you step by step & made me realize that even though I'm short(5'2), I can still make it in beauty, print, petite & junior/teen modeling.

Basic advice.... little real information..
This book had no real advice. Most of it was just common sense advice any person shold know. Seemed geared for 15 year old girls only.

Very little substance.
Essentially this book, with its large fonts and generous helpings of superfluous pictures, contained scant information about the modeling industry.The pages are just filled with very shallow and unsubstantiated statements such as, "Your agent will navigate your career, setting in motion a business and promotional plan geared to market fully your unique looks and talent", with no further elaboration.Take for example its chapter on "Ethinic Modeling".It glazes over the subject on how its such a promising area of the industry and tops it off with two short interviews with 2 female black models - 7 pages in all, with plenty of pictures might I add.The interviews themselves were just as disappointing with superficial statements of little substance that only glamorizes the modelling industry. Above all, the author insults the reader's intelligence by shamelessly pitching the Wilhelmina modeling agency almost every other page.In fact, the entire book's message boils down to - try to sign up with an model agency (no less the Wilhelmina) and expect a 20% commission rate.Those who have rated this book 5 stars are obviously the author or Wilhemlmina employees. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Career Planning (General)    2. Career/Job    3. Careers - General    4. Careers / Job Opportunities    5. Fashion    6. Fashion models    7. Modeling    8. Models (Persons)    9. Reference    10. Vocational guidance    11. Careers guidance    12. Education / Reference    13. Fashion & beauty industries    14. Fashion design   

Reviews (2)

Souvenirs of Kiki's Memoirs
Being a veritable Kiki virgin before I read this book, I found Kiki'sMemoirs more than helpful in showing the atmosphere of 1920's Paris. I did,however, agree with Ernest Hemingway's sentiments from his introdution-itis impossible to translate Kiki's words very well. It seems like SamuelPutnam was unable to get more than four sentences out without putting in anexclamation mark. This breaks the narrative up considerably. I would havegiven this book three stars, but I loved the Man Ray photos in it. The realstrength of this book lies in the artwork.

Wonderful!
This is Kiki in Kiki's own voice, no one could say it better.This is a wonderful book for those who love Bohemian Paris, and even those who don't. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1901-1953    2. 20th century    3. Art Media (General)    4. Artists' models    5. Artists, Architects, Photographers    6. Biography    7. Biography & Autobiography    8. Biography / Autobiography    9. Biography/Autobiography    10. France    11. General    12. History    13. Kiki,    14. Modeling    15. Montparnasse (Paris, France)    16. Paris    17. Fashion design    18. Fiction / General    19. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    20. Kiki   

Reviews (2)

A great book for anyone trying to enter the business.
This book was a great help in understanding the business of commercial acting and modeling.It gives you a well rounded understanding of what to do in any given situation in this industry.

Awesome Book! Easy reading, easy system & educational!
I truley enjoyed the book, " How to Enter the business of CommercialModeling & Acting...Without Getting Ripped Off!"! I have learnedhow to act in college, but never how to make great money acting in thebusiness!I never realized how simple it was for someone to get started incommercial modeling and acting! This book is great because it holds yourhand throughout the book and makes it so simple to get started. I havealready loaned it to a few freinds and a stage mom or two!It was alsogreat to read the interviews from actors, models and the folks who hiretalent. The book coveredthe entire spectrum of the business. I wouldadvise that not only "new" talent read this but experienced aswell. I think it is awesome that the author took the time to write thisbook because anyone reading it CAN NOT GET SCAMMED IN THE INDUSTRY! LikeMorgan Creek Productions quoted on the back of the book, "Sharkrepellent for the sertious actor" it couldn't have been said better!So many people think that they have to be beautiful to model...WRONG! TheAuthor made a great point..He said that "real" people targetthe"real" consumer. As a matter of fact, when I watched TV afterreading the book, it was about 80% real people in the tv commercials. Evenradio commercials lately have the everyday type of voice as opposed to theradio announcer type of voice. I never realized there was such a demand forpeople like me in the commercial industry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Career Planning (General)    3. Careers - General    4. Careers / Job Opportunities    5. General    6. Performing Arts    7. Performing Arts (General)    8. Performing Arts/Dance    9. Career    10. Careers guidance    11. acting    12. modeling    13. scams    14. voice-overs   

Reviews (2)

too obvious
this book contains nothing new.just stuff you can find surfing in the internet for a few hours.not worth reading it-the things are too obvious.

Not many secrets revealed
The author tries to cover many subjects (skin, hair, body, cellulite, exercise, makeup, style, clothes, stress, spirituality...) in a small book (little over 150 pages). So, she doesn't go into any depth - you probably know almost everything written here. But, scattered throughout the book, there are some useful tips and product recommendations. Unfortunately, I am not sure if they are worth the 10 bucks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Beauty & Grooming - General    3. Fashion    4. Fashion & Grooming    5. Modeling    6. Health & Fitness / Women's Health    7. Personal appearance & beauty care   

Reviews (5)

Ambitious, but ultimately disappointing
The author has spent admirable energy collecting images, interviews, and historical data. But she has been ill-served by her editor and publisher. The text and images are made incoherent by not having been shaped, as if the author's note cards had spilled on to the page in no particular order (a simple chronological narrative might have been best). Sadly, the result is a book about beauty that is not beautiful. The publisher seems not to have hired a book designer; the images neither flow esthetically nor relate integrally to the text. Even the index shows lack of care for the material, with the font unadjusted to distinguish between pages with images and those containing only text. Black beauty deserves better than this. And yet, since this is the only book of its kind, it is still worth buying... It is a joy to see these fantastic women all in one place. Kudos to Barbara Summers for introducing them to each other and to us.

Compelling, comprehensive and enlightening
This is a first and the most compelling, comprehensive and enligtening book on the subject.I applaud the author and publisher for their vision, tenacity and courage. A must for every library.Kudos!!

It is called a writing class and the author missed it.
I was very excited to read this book and I was highly disappointed.The content was great but the editor and author needs to be slapped.The layout was ridiculously confusing, the chapters had no flow, pictures didn't correspond with the stories, some of the interviews bordered on the foolish, etc.... The was a two paragraph mention about black male models.what about children models? What about the effects of we are portrayed in advertisements through history? Where is the history? A chronological timeline? I've read articles in white mags about black models that gave more information that this book.Don't buy it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. African American fashion model    2. African American fashion models    3. African American models    4. Art    5. Art & Art Instruction    6. Black American Sociology    7. Career/Job    8. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    9. Fashion    10. Modeling   

Reviews (41)

Waste of time
To get into the inside life of being a supermodel, you might as well go talk to someone coming out of one of those instant photo boths at the mall.

Good for anyone thinking of modeling
This book offers the dark side of the modeling business, a much needed account since we only see the beauty and glamour associated with it.The dark side consists of grueling shoot hours and strict diets forcing young models into cocaine and drug habits just to keep up with the pace.Then there is the gloomy life of prostitution many struggling models turn to with no help from the horny old agents who would drug or blackmail them to have sex.It is very sick, but intriguing reading since most people like to read about beautiful people.I gave it three stars because the price is pretty steep for such a book.I can't believe I bought it.The pictures are really bad so there was no point of including them in the book.Also, the author went undercover with the intent to expose dirt, but only offers stories from other people's accounts.Most of the sleezy stuff happen to the no-name models so the title of the book is quite misleading.I like the section about the up-and-coming supermodels.My favorite being Devon Aoki because she looks so exotic.You should search for her website...cool stuph.But the chapter on Jenny McCartney and Versace is irrelevant.I pay good money to read about supermodels [...]!

A Must Read!
If I could give 10 stars, I would.This book exposes the seedy underbelly of the fashion business.I learned so much by reading this book.I never realized how much dirt covers this corrupt business.I recommend anyone interested in modeling or fashion to go out and pick up a copy.It's essential to read this book to understand what really goes on behind the scenes.Models being drugged and raped repeatedly by men more than 30 years their senior.This made me want to vomit.Perhaps we can all learn a lesson by reading this book, no matter what industry we work in.It's vital to treat people equally and with respect.I highly commend the author for his courage to go undercover and expose this rather seedy business.I encourage any young kid who has aspirations of entering the modeling business to read this book first. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Fashion    3. Fashion models    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Modeling agencies    6. Models (Persons)    7. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    8. Popular Culture - General    9. Women's Studies - General   

Reviews (5)

Could have gotten this information online for free!!!
This book isn't worth the money.I bought it for my daughter who told me it was worthless.I was upset at her attitude but then read it myself.Sadly she was correct, if a bit ungrateful.

Good
Good tips but I was shocked at how few pages there were. Not worth its cost.

Stage-moms take notice
As the mother of a child model I found this book to be extremely helpful in avoiding the many pitfalls of this difficult industry. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Health    2. Self-Help    3. Careers    4. Fashion    5. Modeling   

Reviews (1)

Too Hot
This book has the greatest fashion and beauty photographs ever taken! If you've ever longed for a world in which men take better care of their appearance, let this book work it's magical, balmy spell.:) ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Commercial - Fashion Design    2. General    3. Modeling    4. Photo Essays    5. Photography   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Careers - General    3. Careers / Job Opportunities    4. Fashion    5. Modeling    6. Business & Economics / Careers   

Subjects:  1. Beauty & Grooming - Fashion    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Fashion    5. Fashion models    6. General    7. Modeling    8. Models (Persons)    9. Photography    10. Education / Multicultural Education    11. Fashion design    12. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    13. Trade fairs & exhibitions    14. c 1945 to c 1960    15. c 1960 to c 1970   

Subjects:  1. Personal Growth - Success    2. Self-Help    3. 1-55369-858-4,1553698584,Trafford Publishing,trafford,So You Want To Be A Model,modeling,agencies,model,fashion,learn,how,secrets,tips,acting,confidnce,agents,scouts,    4. Self-Help & Practical Interests    5. Self-Help / Success   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Fashion    5. Fiction    6. Modeling    7. Personal Memoirs    8. General & Literary Fiction    9. Modern fiction   

Reviews (34)

Not All Fun and Games
Models are fascinating and with television shows like America's Next Top Model and Project Runway, the industry seems glamorous and pure despite all the hard work that goes into it. Ian Halperin's book helps to ground the public a bit after being saturated with positive bias for the industry.
For Pete's (or Kate's) sake, Please Give This Book A Chance
Obviously, the review below is bogus, crafted by some bored dimwit with a nothing better to do in life.This book reads extremely well and is heavily documented.Frankly, I suggest that its lucidity and creative way it's presented makes it the top fashion book I've read, and I've read them all.Please, give it a chance, you won't regret.

STOP! a waste of time and money
The only reason this gets 1 star is you can't give 0.
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Subjects:  1. Business Aspects    2. Fashion models    3. Modeling agencies    4. Models (Persons)    5. Photo Essays    6. Photography    7. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    8. Popular Culture - General    9. Subjects & Themes - Fashion    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Biography: general    12. Fashion design