Posing Pitfalls
Posing has so many aspects that you must consider before pressing the shutter. Some details can ruin an otherwise stunning stance. No matter what stance you try or how lovely your subject is, If you don't avoid these typical posing mistakes, your photographs will look bad.
This course covers simple issues and how to solve them.
Poor Posture
Poor posture is one of the simplest ways to derail a pose. It might make a person appear shorter and heavier.
You want them to be relaxed and comfortable, but they should not slouch. This is true for sitting, standing, leaning, and any other pose.
Neck
When someone slouches when standing or sitting, they appear shorter. Typically, a longer neck has been shown to be more flattering in a portrait, making the person look more relaxed and comfortable. So when next you're having a photoshoot session , remember to look at for these common problem and fix it .
Midsection
When someone slouches, their belly generally gathers in an unpleasant fashion, and you are more likely to experience rolls in the cloth or skin around the stomach. Elongating through proper posture straightens and tightens, decreasing the issue.
Reduced Height
Poor posture makes your subject appear shorter. Being short is not necessarily a bad thing; nevertheless, when photographing a person, you normally want to elongate and elevate them so they appear more appealing. Angles, along with posture and lens choice, can compress a person. Improved posture helps to elongate your subject. Aim for elogation in stances that make the limbs and body appear longer, rather than compression or shortening.
Foreshortening
Foreshortening occurs when a section of the body appears shorter than it really is due to perspective. This occurs when a component of the body comes closer or away from the camera, and the camera's perspective makes it appear shorter or even hides part of the body from view.
- Arm Pointing at Camera
- Body facing Camera
- Subject facing Camera
Mergers
You want to show their limbs and flatter their body contour.
Arms to the side promote mergers. These give the sense that the subject is wider than it is.
When confronted with or trying to avoid this situation, always ask yourself, "Are the arms helping to shape the body?". Try to create some separation between the arms and the sides of the body. This can be accomplished by placing the hands on the waist, thigh, hips, neck, or anywhere else that provides separation.
Baggy Clothings
Baggy clothing makes it harder to see your subject's contour and may result in poses with unavoidable mergers. Baggy or ill-fitting clothing makes it difficult to distinguish one area of the body from another.
A quick option is to completely replace your subject's attire. You can also use a clamp to pin and adjust the outfit. As long as they (Clamp) are not visible to the camera, the work becomes easier.
Posing and hand placement are other methods for achieving the desired body definition. Place the arms or hands properly to help define the waist or side of the body.
