John Mitchell Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 I don't know much about commercial photography jargon, so I'm hoping someone can enlighten me. What exactly does "talent" mean? When a photo buyer says "all recognizable talent must be released," who/what does that refer to? Are only paid or unpaid models "talent"? Or does it refer to anyone in the picture? If I happen to show up by chance in someone's image as an innocent bystander, would I be "talent"? Would my unsuspecting dog also be "talent"? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Ventura Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 I worked for a commercial photographer in my early twenties and yes, all models were referred to as "talent". So I would assume that that person is referring anyone in the photo. It is a silly name, for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 I worked for a commercial photographer in my early twenties and yes, all models were referred to as "talent". So I would assume that that person is referring anyone in the photo. It is a silly name, for sure. That's what I figured -- i.e. anyone who happens to appear in the photo, models and even untalented types like myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Rooney Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 The meaning of the noun "talent" used as "a person possessing talent" is in Webs dictionary, so it's not just jargon. Using "creative" as a noun ("I'll get my creative to do it") has always ruffled my feathers, but that term too is in Webs now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 The meaning of the noun "talent" used as "a person possessing talent" is in Webs dictionary, so it's not just jargon. Using "creative" as a noun ("I'll get my creative to do it") has always ruffled my feathers, but that term too is in Webs now. Yes, I've never liked "creatives" either. It implies that everyone else isn't creative, which is hogwash (whatever that is). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin P Wilson Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Well the author of that requirement was showing no talent with English language. It is a meaningless statement except in that closeted talentless bubble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Rooney Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Too true, Martin. As a former copy editor I tend to be conservative in my own usage and punctuation. But English, yours and mine, are living languages and continue to change. I wonder if that's why they speak Latin (a dead language) at the Vatican . . . and I wonder if they still do? A friend in Rome told me that our newest Pope likes to speak in Italian. And is it now okay for me to begin a sentence with "but?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 The main reason I asked this question is because I recently saw a request for an image elsewhere in which the buyer stated that "all recognizable talent must be released." I found this odd because it was a street photography subject that would inevitably have some miscellaneous "talent" hanging around. I won't be submitting images for the request even though I have several appropriate shots. Running around asking everyone in sight to sign model releases just doesn't appeal. At least I now know what "talent" is. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wiskerke Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Talent is the US term for actors, musicians, models, and other people in various entertainment businesses. wim edit: Creative is the US term for fully released images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kuta Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 Sometimes you hear sports commentators refer to the "talent positions" on, say, a (US) football team--generally meaning anyone who carries, throws or catches the ball by design. But I wouldn't want to suggest to a lineman from either side of the ball that he was bereft of talent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 Talent is the US term for actors, musicians, models, and other people in various entertainment businesses. wim edit: Creative is the US term for fully released images. Wim, people who do something considered to be "creative" are also now often referred to as "creatives." Using verbs as nouns has become quite popular these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dyn Llun Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 I worked for a commercial photographer in my early twenties and yes, all models were referred to as "talent". So I would assume that that person is referring anyone in the photo. It is a silly name, for sure. Me too. In the '60's I was a fashion / advertising photographer and as well as releases from the models, we also obtained ones from the makeup people / stylists / cooks (for food photography) and from sometimes set designers and model makers etc. etc. The guy I worked for was from the USA and was used to this from his work there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell Watkins Posted September 20, 2014 Share Posted September 20, 2014 ...Using verbs as nouns has become quite popular these days. I love verbing nouns. (© some cartoon some time ago). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted September 20, 2014 Author Share Posted September 20, 2014 ...Using verbs as nouns has become quite popular these days. I love verbing nouns. (© some cartoon some time ago). Yes, but it's a beautiful sunny day here, and I should be out stocking rather than foruming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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