2/5/14
This exercise looks at various positions used in portrait sessions such as sitting, standing and leaning and by reviewing the images, I was able to gauge how effective or attractive they were.
This exercise looks at various positions used in portrait sessions such as sitting, standing and leaning and by reviewing the images, I was able to gauge how effective or attractive they were.
For preparation, I bought a couple of glossy magazines (Glamour and Cosmopolitan) and revisited a couple of books. I decided on a few poses and discussed them with my daughter Alex who agreed to pose for me.
Effectiveness
I think it would work better if the stump was off centre. Could do with being narrower. Tree stump in shade so lighting was even and background uncluttered. No reflection in Alex's glasses. She found it difficult to position her right hand so that it copied the model. Breeze caused hair movement so I assumed the advert was a studio shot.
Attractiveness
A K would be more elegant than a tree stump! In the original, the model has her mouth open. Alex refused to copy this part of the pose. This worked better in monochrome. The models do not look relaxed.
Reflection
I should have leaned Alex more and had the tree stump off centre. A less visible tree stump and a smile would be better.
Effectiveness
I liked the pose of this model. She looks very tall and thin. Arm position and v neck accentuates height of model. Alex's forearm is a few inches shorter and gates / fences found on the location were too high or too low so pose was adapted. I think this pose worked, although the fence is not the most attractive. I lit Alex in the same way as the model, and I have not yet found a way of minimising reflection on her glasses when the sun is in this position.
Attractiveness
I like the way the hair is lit and the colours work well together. Pose is relaxed. Pose is good and would be enhanced with a more elegant fence.
Reflection
Think about adding collapsible standing stool to kit to give model extra height.
Effectiveness
Pose works. Tried angling head away from direction of body to create Z shape instead of diagonal line. Both worked. I prefer this one because it looks like the head is supposed to be in that position.
Attractiveness
Relaxed, body position. This was my favourite from the leaning poses I experimented with.
Alex looks confident. left hand looked better spread out than when she had a closed fist. Added more length to her arm. Positioned at lower end of steps which gives height to the image. (Improvisation as steps were shallower than advert.) Alex held magazine which complemented her clothing colours which was similar to the models bags. Use of prop added interest to photo.
Not attractive as such but I think it works because steps are interesting. Alex looks moody and this is the look I was trying to create.
Angle of Alex's legs works with frame of picnic bench. Alex was not the same proportion as the actress so pose had to be adapted. Position of Alex's hands and head gave a more contemplative look to the image.
Attractiveness
The image looks natural and is suited to the surroundings.
Effectiveness
I did not like this image until I converted it to monochrome. I felt Alex was waiting for a bus. Her face should be further round to the right and her eyes should be looking at me in order to copy the model.
Attractiveness
I don't find this an attractive image on its own because the body language suggests anticipation and as the viewer I am left wondering what is going on.
This pose looks unnatural. It is fine in a fashion magazine to show clothing but looks odd when viewed as a pose.
Attractiveness
I do not find this attractive. It seems an awkward pose.
Effectiveness
As a pose it has multi-uses. Alex could adopt a similar pose if flicking her hair (to add movement), walking without having one foot off the floor, keeping the body facing this way and turn her head to look at the photographer. I questioned whether the model had been photoshopped because her arm looks exceedingly long and I think it is because her shoulder is dropped.
Attractiveness
Pose suits surroundings. Nothing unattractive about this image.
The adaptation of the pose (body turned slightly) makes the pose more natural. It can be utilised to provide a more dynamic range of images. It gives Alex an air of confidence.
Attractiveness
I don't find this attractive. It is more of a statement pose.
In conclusion, I thought this was a useful exercise because it pushed what I already do to make me consider other poses and their usefulness. It became clear that some poses were more useful than others, and all were quite feminine. When considering a pose for a male, they tended to be more front on, stark, highlighting sculptured abdomens and angles of jaws.
Bibliography
Binder, J ((2008) Capture the portrait: how to create great digital photos, Lark Books, NY
Cosmopolitan May 2014, UK
Edwards, R. (2009). Photographing People Like a Pro: A Guide to Digital Portrait Photography. Newton Abbot: David and Charles UK
Edwards, R. (2009). Photographing People Like a Pro: A Guide to Digital Portrait Photography. Newton Abbot: David and Charles UK
Glamour Issue 158 May 2014, UK
Williams, A (2008) 99 Portrait Photo Ideas, Angela Patchell Books, UK
http://strobist.blogspot.co.uk/2006/04/lighting-101-lighting-for-glasses.html accessed 8/5/14
No comments:
Post a Comment