Posing for the Camera

Today's blip was a test shot of my favourite model, Mr M, as part of quick experiment in directing a subject into a natural-looking pose for the camera.

It is surprisingly difficult to direct someone into a pose which looks totally relaxed and natural. Arms and hands are a particular problem for this - here's why..

We humans are very tuned into reading other people's body language and your arms and hands in particular do a lot of communicating about your emotions and feelings. Tension in the hands, oddly placed fingers or a wrist bent at an unnatural angle will instantly give even the most nicely posed photo a feeling of awkwardness and tension and will just make that photo a little less believable. (I got that from a book - by the way.)

Never underestimate the skill of a professional model who can pose effortlessly, without direction and look totally at ease in a photo!

Anyway, not quite there yet with this shot of Mr M. He is meant to be leaning on his thighs with his forearms but the 'lean' isn't totally believable in the photo. This is probably because while he was doing it, I was also barking 'straight back', 'shoulders down' and 'don't slouch' at him! I suspect I might have been the one generating the tension in his pose!

Photography.. honestly - it's so complicated!