The Portrait Photographer's Guide to Posing

Providing a concise look at the foundations of posing, this guide illustrates the ways in which key posing strategies flatter the lines of the body, creating definition, dynamic lines, and a camera-friendly posture. Photographers learn how to analyze the facial features of their subjects to ensure the most flattering positioning, how to finesse fingers for delicate or strong hand positions, and how to adapt a pose for a man, woman, or child. Strategies for artfully posing couples, large groups, under- and overweight clients, the elderly, and everyone in between are detailed. With techniques and images from nearly 50 of the industry’s most notable artists, this valuable sourcebook offers something for every film and digital photographer. Cover Copyright Table of Contents The Nature of Portaiture Lasting Images The Evolution of Posing Posing Today Tim Kelly: A Fine-Art Approach Martin Schembri: Natural and Uncontrived Yervant Zanazanian: Directing a Moment 1. POSING BASICS The Head and Shoulders The Shoulders The Head Tilt Start with the Feet Facial Views The Full-Face View The Seven-Eighths View The Three-Quarter View The Two-Thirds View The Profile View The Body At an Angle to the Camera SIDEBAR: BROAD, SHORT,AND FASHION LIGHTING Turned Away from the Main Light Posture Portrait Lengths Head-and-Shoulders Portraits Three-Quarter-Length Portraits Full-Length Portraits Posing the Arms Away from the Body A Triangular Base Posing the Hands Men's Hands vs. Women's Hands Seated Poses 2. The Face Facial Analysis The Eyes Active and Alive Direction of the Gaze The Iris and Pupil Blinking Squinting Eyeglasses One Smaller Eye The Mouth Natural Smiles Moistened Lips Tension Gap Between the Lips Laugh Lines The Nose Chin Height Expression Smile or Serious? Eliciting Smiles SIDEBAR: A WINNING SMILE 3. Working with Subjects Pre-Session Consultation Psychology Flattering the Subject Subject Comfort Jerry Ghionis: Prompted Posing Active Posing Demonstrating the Pose Tim Kelly: In the Zone Jennifer George: Quiet Encouragement Marcus Bell: Taking Your Time Martin Schembri: A Posing Checklist 4. Corrective Posing Techniques Be Discreet Overweight Subjects Underweight Subjects Baldness Broad Foreheads Eyes: Deep-Set or Protruding SIDEBAR: UNUSUAL ENVIRONMENTS Large Ears Mouths: Narrow, Wide, or Uneven Noses: Long or Short Necks: Long or Short Chins: Double, Long or Stubby SIDEBAR: RETOUCHING 5. Composition Techniques Subject Placement The Rule of Thirds The Golden Mean Direction Lines Position of Lines At the Edge of the Frame Implied Lines SIDEBAR: FRAMING AROUND THE JOINTS Pleasing Compositional Forms Shape Tension and Balance Subject Tone The Concepts of Design 6. Camera Techniques Affecting Posing Focal Length and Perspective “Normal” Lenses Telephoto Lenses Wide-Angle Lenses SIDEBAR: BREAKING THE RULES SIDEBAR: FAST LENSES Depth of Field Focusing Head-and-Shoulders Portraits Three-Quarter- and Full-Length Portraits Camera Height and Perspective Head-and-Shoulders Portraits Three-Quarter- and Full-Length Portraits Raising and Lowering the Camera Distance to the Subject Apertures Subjects in Motion 7. Styling the Portrait Hair Style and Makeup Makeup Hair Styles Clothing Group Portraits Shoes 8. Posing Group Portraits Posing Hierarchy Head Levels Head Proximity The Group Posing Dialogue Small Groups Couples Adding a Third Person Adding a Fourth Person Five and More SIDEBAR: TIPS FOR FOCUSING Big Groups Posing Hands in Group Portraits SIDEBAR: GROUP EXPRESSIONS Helpful Posing Tools Armchairs, Love Seats, and Sofas Steps, Stairs, and Slopes A Final Check 9. Posing Children’s Portraits Meeting the Child for the First Time Do What Comes Naturally Touching Posing the Face Facial View and Head Tilt The Eyes Expressions The Arms and Hands The Legs and Feet in Seated Poses Posing Tips by Age Newborns Babies Six- to Eleven-Month-Olds Two-Year-Olds Older Children Posing Aids Posing Steps Chairs Activity-Centered Poses Conclusion The Photographers Index