Posing Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios

128 Pages·2007·4.1 MB·English

by  Billy Pegram

P
OSING
TECHNIQUES
for Photographing
Model Portfolios
BILLY PEGRAM
Amherst Media
®
PUBLISHEROFPHOTOGRAPHYBOOKS
Dedication
Iwouldlike toextendmy appreciationtoDorothyPegram,andTomandDolly Branskifor their encourage-
ment,love,andsupportinhelpingmakethisarewardingcareer.
AdditionalthankstoLoaAndersonforherspecialconsultation,especiallyinsectionsdealingwiththeCSI
program.Iwouldalsoliketothankallthedemomodels:Bethany,Ciana,Iana,Janeen,Kasia,Krissy,Lexie,Lisa,
Marisa,Mary,Monique,andShayn.
Specialthanksto:BikiniBaySportswearandSwimweardesignerBoofToronto,Canada;LanaFuchsfrom
Isis Couture, who provided many of the fashions in the images; hair and fashion stylist Michael Hall of Seat-
tle; hair and makeup specialist Wendalynn Nelson of Las Vegas; and makeup artists Nicci Kelly and Christina
Copeland.
Finally, thanks to: Cinch Jeans, Dusk magazine, Headlights and Tailpipes in Las Vegas, Luxury Las Vegas
magazine,andShowbizmagazine.
Copyright©2008byBillyPegram.
Allphotographsbytheauthor.
Allrightsreserved.
Publishedby:
AmherstMedia,Inc.
P.O.Box586
Buffalo,N.Y.14226
Fax:[phone]
www.AmherstMedia.com
Publisher:CraigAlesse
SeniorEditor/ProductionManager:MichellePerkins
AssistantEditor:BarbaraA.Lynch-Johnt
EditorialAssistance:JohnS.Loder,CareyA.Maines,andArtieVanderpool
ISBN-13:978-1-58428-220-4
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2007926868
PrintedinKorea.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,stored,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,me-
chanical,photocopied,recordedorotherwise,withoutpriorwrittenconsentfromthepublisher.
NoticeofDisclaimer:Theinformationcontainedinthisbookisbasedontheauthor’sexperienceandopinions.The
authorandpublisherwillnotbeheldliablefortheuseormisuseoftheinformationinthisbook.
Table of Contents
Introduction .........................6
TheImportanceofGoodPosing .............6
HelpingtheModelLookHerBest .........6
PleasingtheClient .....................6
TheChallengesofModelPhotography ........9
TechnicalChallenges ..................10
Styling .............................10
WorkingwithPeople ..................12
AboutThisBook .......................13
1. Basic Principles ...................14
Previsualization .........................14
EmulatetheSuccessofOthers ...........14
UseYourImagination .................14
CommunicateYourConcept ............15
Objectives .............................17
CreatingFlow .......................17
StoppingtheGaze ....................18
Tools ................................20
StraightLines ........................21
Curves .............................21
CompositionandCropping .............24
Perspective ..........................27
ToneandColor ......................28
Posing .............................31
2. Posing the Body ...................33
ThreeBasicRules .......................33
Posture ...............................33
TABLEOFCONTENTS 3
CSIProgram:AStartingPoint .............34 ImportanceoftheHands ...............45
HistoryandPurpose ...................34 “Bad”Hands ........................47
DiagrammingaPose ..................35 GeneralGuidelines ....................47
TheC,S,andIPoses ..................35 RelaxedPositions .....................48
FootPositions .......................36 HandswithPropsandProducts ..........49
TheCrossoverandOpenPoses ..........36 HandsAroundtheFace ................51
FeetandAnkles .........................38 HandsattheWaist ....................52
ShowOneHeel ......................38 HandsintheWaistband/Belt ............54
Cropping ...........................39 HandsinPockets .....................56
PointtheToes .......................40 HandswithLapelsandZippers ...........57
HidetheBottomsoftheFeet ............42 HandsonThighs .....................59
SlimmingandLengtheningtheLegs ......42 HandsintheLap .....................61
HelpforBeginningModels .............44 PracticalExamples ....................62
HipsandDerriere .......................44 ArmsandShoulders .....................67
RearView ..........................44 SeparationfromtheBody ...............67
SeatedPoses .........................45 Elbows .............................67
RaiseOneFoot ......................45 FramingtheFace .....................68
HandsandWrists .......................45 ArmsRaised .........................68
4 POSINGTECHNIQUESFORPHOTOGRAPHINGMODELPORTFOLIOS
3. Posing the Head and Face .........69 BackgroundSelection ...................120
ViewsoftheFace .......................69 Clothing .............................120
FullFace ...........................69 Lighting .............................121
Three-QuarterView ...................69 CreatingaPortfolio ....................122
Profile .............................71 OpeningandClosingShots ............122
TiltingtheHead ........................71 ArrangingtheInteriorImages ..........122
Eyes .................................72 Grouping ..........................122
Lips .................................76 Stuffing ...........................122
Expression ............................80 BlankPages ........................122
Variety ..............................123
4. Posing for Different Genres ........81
DeterminingtheBestMarket ..............81 InClosing ............................124
Age ...............................81 Index ...............................125
Height .............................82
OverallAppearance ....................82
Commercial ...........................83
Fashion ...............................86
Glamour ..............................86
Lingerie ..............................90
Plus-SizeModels ........................90
Editorial ..............................93
Athletic/Sports .........................94
Catalog ...............................96
Swimwear .............................97
SpecialAttributes ......................100
5. Practical Examples ................101
Bethany:BodyShot ....................101
Ciana:Symmetry .......................103
Janeen:NaturalCurves ..................106
Lexie:ShowingPersonality ...............109
Monique:Girly,Cute,andFun ............110
6. Hints and Tips ...................112
BuildaSamplePortfolio .................113
Quality ..............................115
InformtheModel ......................115
BeginwithPortraiture ..................116
CreateaMood ........................118
TheModel’sComfort ...................118
TABLEOFCONTENTS 5
Introduction
THEIMPORTANCEOFGOODPOSING
Overtheyears,I’verealizedthatthereisin-
deed an art to posing models—an art that
allphotographers,inordertobesuccessful,
muststudyanddevelop.
Helping the Model Look Her Best.
Beginning models in particular rely on the
experience of the photographer to guide
them to flattering poses. Even experienced
models, although they usually develop a
rather extensive repertoire of poses and
move gracefully through a series, still need
the photographer to fine-tune their poses,
emphasizing their best features while mini-
mizingtheweakerones.
Often,anervousmodelwillsimplystand
in front of the camera, waiting to be told
what to do. If you are an inexperienced
photographer, it can be difficult to direct
the model—especially since photographers
tend to be better at visualizing a pose than
communicatingitclearlytoasubject.
Pleasing the Client. With model pho-
tography, there is an additional considera-
tion: the client. This may be a commercial
clientor,whenshootingforamodel’sport-
Thereisanarttoposingmodels,andtheonlywaytomasteritisthrough
folio,allofherprospectiveemployers. studyandpractice.
6 POSINGTECHNIQUESFORPHOTOGRAPHINGMODELPORTFOLIOS
Gettingagreatmodelshotisnotamatterof If the image is being created for a commercial client, the model is
luck—itrequirespatience,skill,knowledge, often secondary to the product; she is used solely to enhance the
andcommitment.
mood of the photograph. In this case, the model’s pose must force
theviewer’seyestotheproductorservicebeingpromoted.Ifamodel
candothis,while stillcreatinganemotionalresponse,thenthe pho-
tograph will be successful for the client or advertiser. Ask yourself:
Whatarewetryingtoshow?Isitaparticularitemofclothing,some-
thingspecialabouttheclothing(e.g.,azipper,material,oradesign)?
Whatisitthatwillprompttheviewerofthephototowanttopurchase
thisproduct?
If the image is being created for the model’s portfolio, it must be
designedtoappealtothekindsofclientsfromwhomsheishopingto
gain employment. These may include designers, magazines, product
manufacturers,jewelers,andanyotherindustrywheremodelsareem-
ployed. In addition, the images must showcase the model’s best at-
tributes, conceal any problem areas, and appeal to her own aesthetic
sensibilitiesandpersonality.Again,askyourselfsomequestions:What
arewetryingtoshow?Whatwillinspiretheclienttohirethismodel?
INTRODUCTION 7
Inacommercial
image,youneedto
determinewhatwill
prompttheviewerof
thephotostowant
topurchasethefea-
turedproduct.
Inamodel’sportfolio,youwantthepoten-
tialclienttoseesomethingthathecanre-
latetoandwanttohireher.Variety,asseen
inthesethreeimagesofCiana,isakeyfac-
torinachievingthisgoal. The purpose of creating the model’s portfolio is to show a wide
rangeoflooksandtofeatureherbestattributes.Ultimately,youwant
thepotentialclienttoseesomethinginherbookthathecanrelateto
and,basedonthat,wanttohireher.
THECHALLENGESOFMODELPHOTOGRAPHY
Asyoucanimagine,allofthismeansthatgettingagreatmodelshot
isdefinitelynotamatterofluck.Onesimplydoesn’thappenacrossthe
INTRODUCTION 9
Successful model photography requires a
masteryofallthetechnicalaspectsofpho-
tography,includingdigitalenhancements.
perfect model in the perfect position with the perfect lighting and
grabacamera.Creatingthatflawless,captivatingphotographrequires
patience,skill,knowledge,andcommitment.Italsorequiresmastery
ofalloftheotheraspectsofprofessionalphotography.
TechnicalChanges.Nomatterhowexperiencedyouareasapho-
tographer,therearealwaysnewtechniquestolearn—newequipment,
new film and capture methods, and new styles. Your repertoire of
techniques must always be changing and suited to the current tastes
of the market. This is especially true in the digital age, where tech-
nologygrowsbyleapsandboundswitheachpassingday.
Styling. An additional challenge in working in model photogra-
phy is that you need to be well versed in all aspects of hair, makeup,
andphotostyling.Buildingateamofspecialistsiscrucialinattaining
FACINGPAGE–Onceyou’vedecidedonthelook
professional status as a shooter. After you decide what you need to
you want, having a team of specialists in
emphasize in the photograph, your team (makeup artist, hairdresser, placecanhelpyoutoachieveyourgoal.
10 POSINGTECHNIQUESFORPHOTOGRAPHINGMODELPORTFOLIOS