Part Two C - Posing Individuals
by Chuck Gardner
Photographing a Man
 For this
example there is natural lighting with a window to the
subject's left (right from camera position). A silver
reflector on a light stand is used to provide full for the
shadows. Position the subject so he's facing the window at
about a 45 degree angle. People will typically stand square
to the camera with their weight evenly distributed on both
legs. If they shift their weight to one hip and let the
other leg relax and bend slightly the hip and shoulder
bearing the weight will drop, and the other unweighted hip
and shoulder will rise. For a man you'll want the shoulder
nearest the light to drop so his shoulders will be angled
towards the light. So if the light is from his left as in
this picture ask him to place his feet like the letter "V"
with the left foot in back. Then ask him to then shift all
his weight to the left (rear) leg, letting the right leg
relax and bend slightly.
The foot position and weight shift will raise his right shoulder and drop the left one closest to the light from the window. It is also a comfortable position, so it should help to relax the subject. If he's wearing a suit coat, make sure it is buttoned. Next ask the subject hook both his thumbs in his pants pockets and cover them with the jacket. This will project his arms out to the side and add an element of triangular composition and also hide the hands which would be a distracting element. For a three-quarter length or full length portrait have the subject leave his right arm at his side rather than hooking the thumb in the pocket, but keep the hand out of view or inconspicuous to avoid visual distraction. When the hands are in the picture, position them so their edge rather than the broad and bright palms or backs are facing the camera and the fingers are curved rather than straight. Attention to small details like this result in much better photos. Be alert to the tendency of men, especially in group shots, to stand in the "fig leaf" pose with hands grasped together in front of them. Goto Next Page > Goto < Previous Page Goto Class Outline Goto super.nova.org my home page. |