Hi Zhoufang...
I guess I would really need to clarify some facts here. Hope that you will take it in a positive light and that I'm not trying to start some flame war here..
First of all, I believe you have probably mixed up clubs between PSS and Photo-Art... While I have been a member at PSS for less than a year, I have not quite seen any 'typical' setup of stuffs like old man smoking, young girl with plastic fruit, etc etc (i.e. salon type photos). Before choosing the club to join, I have noticed a lot of the above type of shots in Photo-Art and it too, isn't my cup of tea..
So far in PSS, the studio lighting are set-up by them. And since that it's a studio shoot, each photographer will take his/her turn to shoot. The posing is therefore suggested by the photographers themselves (or to leave it up to the model to pose). As for outdoor shoots, it is often up to the photographer to get his/her own angle and settings. Therefore, there can probably be a drastic differences in the quality of the photo between the photographers for the same scenario. However, that can often be improved upon with time and experience. PSS also does conduct weekly photo workshops where members can have their photos commented upon and hence learning through the process.
While I agree that their practice is not totally perfect, but it nevertheless, is doing it's part in promoting photography in Singapore. With regards to the portraits, it does offer photographer who does not have access to their own models/friends who are willing to pose for them, a chance to practice their skills in taking portraiture shots.
Lastly, with regards to the 'very fake' setups, I must comment that the set-up aren't quite to the extreme where some other clubs are currently adopting. I certainly also dislike posed shots such as the types with the old man smoking. In the case of the Kachin Lady shots that I have recently taken, the lady is indeed from Myanma and I've overheard that she's studying in one of the polytechnic here. Having look up the web, it is also confirmed that the costume is indeed the traditional costume from the Kachin state in Myanma. As for the poses, quite a number of the poses that I've posted in the forums are requested by myself and is in not part directed by PSS. The rest of them are poses put up by the model herself.
Hope that you do not feel offended by the very long post above. Everyone is encouraged to speak their minds and the above is just my thoughts on the issue. Meanwhile, happy shooting!
KS
Originally posted by zhoufang
Why traditional PSes like PSS alway only know how to setup such "typical scene"?
-very old man smocking
-topless Kongfu master kicking watermelon
-young girl putting props (eg mini plastic fruit model) on head and post act cute.
-now this girl in tradional costume (also act cute)
all setup are so fake that I cannot teh han.
I think they really need to seek for some breakthroughs.