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Posing for Portraits 

"It is not necessary to have portrait subjects sit, or stand, rock still. Let them act normally - if they don't, they must look abnormal" David Bailey 

"I have to be mad about a woman to take her photograph." David Bailey

Posing is what the photographer gets the subject to do in front of the camera.

 Gentle but firm direction by the photographer is important in obtaining interesting poses. Be particularly aware of hands and legs in posing as they can often ruin an otherwise attractive pose. Try to get the subject to do something with their hands. Thrust them into pockets, fold them, lean on them, frame a face with them, let the hands hold a cup of tea or a screwdriver or a whatever. Check that the fingers look relaxed. If not, get the subject to hold a pen and then gently withdraw the pen.

 

Do you remember those very early formal group portraits in the 1900's? Ramrod stances and stern, almost painful looks on faces were the order of the day. One reason for the subjects' demeanour was film speeds were so slow and exposures so long that head braces were used to attach the back of the head to the wall to ensure that faces did not move during the three minute exposure!

 

Portrait photography is a visual reflection or interpretation of the communication and interactions between you and your subjects. If the relationship is tense, strained or you are rushed for time that will probably show up in the prints. Eg How many happy police mug shots have you seen or for that matter when was the last time you had a really attractive passport photograph.

If there's understanding, empathy, affection, fun and frivolity those feelings will most likely be evident in the end result. You need to like your subject(s) and develop affection for them.

Do what comes naturally! Attempting to put subjects into really unnatural poses may have some gimmick value but it will rarely work.  Children are volatile subjects. They want to run, jump and squeal. Why sit them in a sedate Milly Molly Mandy pose. If your teenage son and his mates like doing crazy things like jumping out of rubbish bins do their portraits in the rubbish bin! (He will probably grow out of this by the time he is 30.)

On the other hand, if the subject is shy and maybe even tense about the shoot, appreciate their sensitivity and shoot them where they are comfortable.

Successful posing results from observation of real life, looking at books and practice. Don't expect to get it right first time or every time. Many subjects find the experience somewhat traumatic. Therefore, to relax the subject talk with them, play their favourite music and enjoy a glass of champagne if appropriate!

Five ideas for better poses:

 

* Place the subject in familiar territory

* Accentuate the positive/eliminate the negative

* Avoid 'straight' bodies, use natural shapes

* Use arms and hands to add depth/character

* Animate people with walking/talking

 

When posing the subject, (after everything else looks right), check that the hands look relaxed and that feet and ankles are not in awkward positions.

 

Have fun! If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right!