| Q: What graphic
novels have you published?
A: One published graphic novel is titled “THE
FALL: Q & A Fallen Angel Tell The Story Of Satan’s
Fall.” Another is titled
“BONEME:
How To Kiss A Monster.” Then the third
and most recent graphic novel is titled "BEAUTY
AND THE BEAST: Fantastic Deep Space Romances with the Stars
of Art Nihilism."
Q: Who is Joy Rip?
A: That's me above. I use rough reference photos for drawing
my illustrations. And I'll be using your self-portrait photos
to help me visualize and sketch the drawings for my next graphic
novels. Joy Rip is also the name of the fictitious girl author
I crafted solely for furthering the narrative power of my graphic
novel Boneme.
I use it as my professional name because I want to be free to
create any work I wish without having to worry about intruding
upon the privacy of friends and family. For example, it allows
my bio to appear on future works without
causing my mother pain.
Q: Why turn other
people's self-portraits into graphic novels?
A: To cut down on the time it takes to cast a graphic novel.
And to avoid the time it takes to schedule in-person photo shoots
once you've cast it. It becomes much easier to find the right
people for a particular graphic novel project when you can expand
this search to people who would otherwise be too far away --
don't have the time or means to attend an in-person photo shoot
-- and don't have to deal with unpredictable weather conditions
that affect shooting, traveling and, thus, scheduling. Plus
when you don't have to meet for an in-person photo shoot, it's
much easier for people who don't know each other and have not
worked together before to overcome security concerns and develop
a comfortable working relationship by working remotely.
Q: How do I participate?
A: If you have a 2MP or greater digital camera, let me commission
you to take photos of yourself for me. It's really very simple.
Take pictures of yourself outdoors in the daylight
-- you know, your arm(s) outstretched, camera pointing at you
-- but with the flash locked on even in the daylight.
We'll start with portraits. Whatever you can snap at arms length.
Then we can move on to wider shots if your camera has a self-timer
(most do). Send me everything you take. I can give you suggestions
along the way as to what I'm looking for. It'll be a form of
"remote directing." Then if I use the pictures, I'll
pay you and you can sign a model release for me.
Q: I've never taken
self-portraits before. Can I participate?
A: Of course! It's easy. Simple trial and error.
Q: I'm not very technical.
Can I take self-portraits?
A: Yes! No technical skills needed. Just do three things:
1. Set your camera to its automatic Portrait
scene mode.
2. Set camera Flash on
so it's always on.
3. Make sure you're facing the sun.
Q: What does the
Model Release form I'm supposed to sign look like?
A: MODEL RELEASE: In exchange for consideration received, I
hereby give permission to Joy Rip to use my name, photographic
likeness, and illustrations and art work based on that likeness,
in all forms and media for publication, exhibition, advertising,
trade, and any other lawful purposes.
Print Name:
Signature:
Date:
Note: You must be 18 years of age or older to participate and
sign this release.
Q: Can you use photos
of me I've already shot?
A: No. I can't use pre-existing photos of you due to the copyright
concerns of publishers. The photos you take of yourself must
be specifically commissioned by me in order for me to have the
copyright to them. Publishers sometimes want copyright to the
photos that my illustrations and art work are based on even
when the subject is unrecognizable in the form of an illustration
and even when it's a work of fiction. So I don’t want
to limit the publishers I can work with by not having the full
copyright. This graphic novel project FAQ page is specifically
geared only towards those interested in doing this type of commissioned
self-portrait photography work for me.
Q: What do you want
me to do for the self-portrait shots I take of myself?
A: I'm primarily interested in capturing emotional states of
being, especially as they appear on your face. So for this shoot
I'll need you to load your MP3 or CD player with whatever music
triggers subtle and strong feelings in you. You'll be shooting
yourself as you listen to it with your headphones. Whatever
other techniques you have to trigger your emotions are welcome.
I'll also need you to tie your hair back to expose all your
face.
Q: How do I send
you the pictures I take.
A: Burn and mail me a physical CD or DVD of your photos.
Q: Where do I mail
it?
A: Joy Rip, PO Box 1005, Buffalo, NY 14231-1005
Q: How much does this photography work pay?
A: $0.10 for every photo I use. Or we can negotiate a flat fee
for all the pictures you send me.
Q: When do I get paid?
A: When you sign and mail me your model release.
Q: How do I get paid?
A: PayPal.
Q: What hours are involved?
A: Daylight outdoors anytime. You work around your
schedule.
Q: Do I have to pose nude?
A: No.
Q: Where do I shoot?
A: Anyplace outdoors in the daylight. I need the light. We can
always experiment with indoor photography later on.
Q: Style of photography?
A: Photojournalistic. Think of it as a wordless photo diary
of your personal thoughts and feelings. Your unguarded moments
captured in images. Just you being you. Of course, I'm also
open to you getting creative with your appearance by getting
creative with your hair, makeup and wardrobe; experimenting
with new looks that aren't necessarily "just you being
you."
Q: Equipment?
A: Simple 2MP or greater point-and-shoot camera.
Q: What’s this graphic novel about?
A: Can’t say until after you send me some photos of you.
I work with both a prewritten script in mind and without one.
For example, most of the text for The
Fall was created before the images were. While most
of the images for Boneme
were created before the text. This next project will begin with
the images first. I’ll be taking the photos you send me
and letting my art work and narrative evolve from the pictures.
Here are 6 sample drawings
for the current graphic novel.
Q: What are you looking for in terms of the people you want
to photograph?
A: I’m open to anyone interested in being photographed.
I’m not working from a script that needs to be cast a
certain way and have no preconceived idea of my photographic
subject. Just send me one or two self-portrait photos of you
to get the ball rolling.
Q: What do I need to do to be considered for this graphic novel
project?
A: Just email me one
or two self-portrait photos. If you already did, you’re
all set.
Q: When will you get back to me?
A: All photographic candidates will be filed for this and future
graphic novels. Those photographic candidates I decide to use
for the current graphic novel will be contacted by me through
email for more samples. But even if I cannot use you for this
graphic novel, there is plenty of opportunity to appear in future
graphic novels. And your self-portrait will be on file for further
consideration.
Q: How do I get a copy(s) of the book I appear in?
A: When it's published, I'll email you a link to it's purchase
page. You'll get a free copy of the final book to include in your
portfolio if I have your current mailing address. If you want
to use it on your websites, please link back to my sites or the
book's amazon.com purchase page. |
Self-portrait FAQ
