The second question and funny anecdote
Past week has been crazy. Literally. I was (am?) going nuts.
So here's the answer to the second question by bobbysroom (first one was about math and computers, second one about..)
"I would ask you what you think about the use of Photoshop in your modeling carer but some how I think that is something best left to those people that have a personal opinion, at least that is what I would want to know. Rather than your professional opinion, not that it is any less important, it is just more interesting to know how a model feels about the raw image in comparison to what happens when image goes to print."
I've discussed this topic a thousand times, mostly on photography forums or with photographers. It's very difficult to keep short on this, because I know there are so many things to say and so many different points of view. This is mine :)
There are two different types of photography, the one that wants to "catch the moment" and the one that wants "to do something more" with the picture. Of course both are good, it's up to each person to choose when and if to use one or the another.
I like photoshop and all of those tools, if you ask me. I see gfx programs as a big resource. It's my chance to entering a fantasy world, to fly, to do anything that would not be possible in reality. So, I welcome photoshop to enrich images. There are moments in which you can't really use it (ie: for a model book) so it's up to the image creators not to exceed.
I like to consider myself an 'artist' more than a 'mannequin'. I like to create. I prefer my images to have something 'different'. More than photoshop, I work a lot on the styling part of the shoot. I have little means and big ideas. I do what I can :)
In short, I value a lot shoots with big styling efforts, that in the end will require little to none retouch. And I welcome photoshop, it will will bring a little pretty unicorn in my pictures. Why not :) As long as my face stays the same in pictures and my traits are not altered, all is well :)
[I am the master of weird angles. Ahr Ahr Ahr.]
I published this picture on facebook, while it was meant to stay private forever, and surprisingly people liked it o.O" omg.
I have a funny anecdote about something that happened at work couple of days ago. A guy from south Italy [right the opposite side of Italy, and I specify that because he clearly did not know the place and was used to something totally different] came to the office and went chitchatting, also asking about the city. I told him a few things about the place (which is quite close to the mountains and the Austrian borders) and he replied me, showing off the best-amazed-face-ever: "Oh yes. I was very surprised when i saw the city at first! I mean *pointing his finger to the closest Benetton's shop* you got shops! Shops selling well known brands!".
Weird guy.