Becoming more physically self-aware and thus subconsciously snapping into an unnatural pose when a camera is pointed at you is a common occurrence. This how-to guide for directing physically awkward clients who wish to commission full length images that appear unaffected contains tips on both effectively lighting a full-length portrait and honing the interpersonal skills needed to work with self-conscious clients.
It’s the portrait photographer’s job to create a flattering—perhaps idealized—likeness of the subject in front of his or her lens. There are countless things to consider both technically and artistically in order to make that happen. One thing is for certain: The more you show in the portrait, the more of the body that you will need to carefully position and refine. Nowhere is this more true than when photographing a full-length subject. Every part of the body, from the hair to the tips of the toes, must be posed, clothed, lighted, and shaded in order to look its best. The truth is, most photographers have trouble with conceptualizing and carrying out their client’s full-length poses. They have their clients strike a pose and try to envision how to make it look natural, comfortable, and photogenic. Unfortunately, their attempts often result in a stiff, unflattering, flat, or just plain awkward presentation. This visual sourcebook features a wide range of full-length poses designed for men, women, teens, kids, and groups—in the studio and on location. Photographers will find examples of poses for subjects of all ages that work perfectly for any portrait style, from reserved to edgy and fashion-forward, in seated, standing, and reclining presentations. Featuring studio and location (indoor and outdoor) portraits from twenty heralded portrait pros, this book will allow photographers to find a pose to re-create with their client—and adventurous shooters can use a sample portrait as a springboard for a new pose they conceptualize to suit their unique client or one-of-a-kind portrait concept. Complete with text on posing basics, this book is an indispensable resource that you’ll turn to over and over again.
Designed to address the challenges of posing two subjects together, this visual sourcebook offers creative, evocative poses for a variety of two-subject groupings, including romantic couples, business partners, friends, and siblings. Through the inclusion of contemporary images from some of the world’s most accomplished photographers, shutterbugs will learn how to finesse poses to show the relationship between the subjects in the portrait. Grouped according to how much of the subject is included in the frame—from head-and-shoulder shots to full-length portraits—this manual is organized to teach compositional skills and how to direct the eye to points of focus within an image. An indispensible handbook for beginning, intermediate, or professional photographers, this book provides inspiration along with a plethora of images for igniting a creative spark.
Next to lighting, posing is the most challenging aspect of photography—with so many body parts to capture, the possibilities are endless, and it’s all too easy to make a wrong turn. This illustrated reference provides both amateur shutterbugs and seasoned pros with the perfect place to turn when in need of quick posing strategies and fresh ideas. Containing 500 contemporary images by leading photographers, this indispensable manual explains posing fundamentals as well as how to create a flattering, feature-specific photograph—one that focuses on the head, shoulders, arms, torso, or feet—in different levels of close-ups, from head-shots to full-lengths.
Offering inspiration as well as guidance for portrait photographers to use during sessions with infants and toddlers—notoriously difficult subjects for posing—this guide takes a uniquely visual approach to instruction through its 500 stellar shots. With the challenges faced while working with children, it is easy to end up in a rut of go-to poses. The book counters the stock image effect with its broad variety of creative options, and incorporates experience-based knowledge on achieving successful results, such as creating a comforting zone for the child or the potential assistance of integrated props. The poses highlight what the parents love to see while considering what will work with even the most willful of young subjects.
The ultimate resource for family portrait photographers, 500 Poses for Photographing Children is designed to provide plenty of inspiration for photographing young subjects. This handy guide book addresses many issues faced by portrait photographers, including retaining the attention of infants, allowing a subject's individuality to show, capturing group portraits and posing children of different ages together. For ease of use, images are arranged by age of subject and size of image: from head shots to full length.
Offering a variety of options for refining poses and spicing up portrait sessions, this visual sourcebook addresses the problems that photographers often run into when taking portraits of men, whether the pictures are for male fashion shoots, weddings, family shots, or individual portraits. For ease of use, this reference groups sample images according to how much of the subject is included in the frame?from head-and-shoulders shots to full-length portraits. Containingacontemporary images from leading professionals, this indispensable manual explains posing fundamentals as well as how to offset the fears, concerns, and insecurities that men can bring to a portrait session."
Offering inspiration as well as guidance for portrait photographers to use during sessions with infants and toddlers—notoriously difficult subjects for posing—this guide takes a uniquely visual approach to instruction through its 500 stellar shots. With the challenges faced while working with children, it is easy to end up in a rut of go-to poses. The book counters the stock image effect with its broad variety of creative options, and incorporates experience-based knowledge on achieving successful results, such as creating a comforting zone for the child or the potential assistance of integrated props. The poses highlight what the parents love to see while considering what will work with even the most willful of young subjects.
Containing numerous contemporary images by leading photographers, this indispensable manual concerning wedding portraits explains posing fundamentals as well as how to create a flattering, feature-specific photograph--one that focuses on the head, shoulders, arms, legs, or torso--in different levels of close-ups, from head-shots to full-lengths.
Determining the best way to pose a subject--a way that is simultaneously flattering, appropriate, and visually appealing--can be one of the biggest challenges in designing a successful portrait. This is especially true when creating portraits of brides, where the photographer may be called on to create anything from a very traditional head-and-shoulders pose to a more adventurous full-length look straight out of the pages of a fashion magazine. Quite simply, the variations are almost limitless--as is the pressure to perform flawlessly throughout this once-in-a-lifetime event. This collection is a visual sourcebook designed to address exactly that problem. Filled with images by some of the world's most accomplished wedding photographers, it provides a resource for professionals seeking inspiration for their own work. Stuck on what to do with a particular bride or unsure how to make use of a location? Flip through the sample portraits, pick something you like, then adapt it as needed to suit your tastes. Looking to spice up your work with some new poses? Find a sample that appeals to you and look for ways to implement it (or some element of it) with one of your brides. It can be difficult to remain creative day after day, year after year, but sometimes all you need to break through a slump is a little spark. In this book, you'll find a plethora of images designed to provide just that.
Go behind the scenes with twenty-five leading professionals and explore what makes their work unique. Whether you’re looking for tips on location selection, better time management, posing cues, lighting insights, or some new ideas for shooting the reception, you’ll find the answers at your fingertips. Music-photographer turned wedding shooter Angela Hubbard (Rolling Stone, Spin, Vanity Fair) shows you how to design iconic images of your couple. Jim Garner, named one of the world’s top-ten wedding photographers by American PHOTO Magazine, reveals how a change in his products and design strategy revolutionized his approach to shooting weddings. Anne Almasy (Huffington Post: Wedding blogger) and Catherine Hall (named Best Wedding Photographer by The Knot) explore the role of emotional and personal connections on your images. Also featured are images and fascinating insights from acclaimed artists: Dave & Quin Cheung, Salvatore Cincotta, Bob & Dawn Davis, Tracy Dorr, Brett Florens, Jim Garner, Jerry Ghionis, Michael Mowbray, Christie Mumm, Josh Newton, Huy Nguyen, Kristi Odon, Dennis Orchard, Srinu & Amy Regeti, Ken Sklute, Damon Tucci, Neal Urban, Riccis Valladares, Paul Van Hoy, Neil Van Niekerk, Ethan Watts, and Stephanie Zettl.
Encouraging photographers to take a subject-oriented approach to lighting, this manual shows it is possible to make better decisions about both the technical and artistic aspects of lighting. It teaches how to identify qualities the subject possesses that the light will react with and how to use this knowledge to create perfect photographs. Through a variety of amply illustrated shoots, the book explains how to approach each image from the perspective of controlling the subject’s appearance to match the photographer’s vision for the picture. This comprehensive guide covers such topics as the benefits and drawbacks of various lighting tools, the effect of light placement, and controlling lighting ratios. Designed for intermediate-to-advanced photographers, it illustrates techniques for using light as a tool to capture the subject in the best possible manner.
