Posing a glamour model

I got lots of advice on my fine art photography site at...

http://www.looknseephoto.com

Warning: my site features fine art B&W photography. Take a look at
the FAQs -- there's lots of information there. And I typically
include a running commentary about the sitting itself on the pages
that display the photographs.

My bottom line is that if your model is posing, you've already lost
half the battle. I like to engage the model in conversation. If I
want them to look thoughtful, I give them something to think about.
If I want them to smile, I say something sweet or funny.

And when all else fails, give the model something to do with their
hands.

Enjoy.


On Tue, 03 Feb 2004 13:51:28 +1100, Lionel wrote:

Kibo informs me that "zeitgeist" stated that:

do a search for Joseph Zeltsman who has some old tutorials about posing and
a system of deciding how and why to pose and light specific faces, its not a
bunch of rules but a systematic decision tree.

His website is great! - I checked it out after someone here recommended
it a while back, & I found it a wealth of really good advice.

Also, could anyone recommend any good tips for getting a model to relax.

A. talk to them not your camera. you should be familiar enough with your
gear and what you are trying to do that you can keep up a running
conversation while doing what you are trying to do. If you are
inexperienced then its hard to do.

nods

What I find works well is to start off just chatting to them while
taking some test shots, then start making *positive* comments on their
pose/look as you pose them. "Oh yes! - Your smile's perfect, keep on
doing that!", "Great! - That angle really shows off those gorgeous
eyes!" etc. Every woman looks more attractive with a happy, confident
smile, so if you can make her happy & confident, you both end up with
better photos.

Most of their initial nervousness (at least, with the amateurs I shoot),
is because they think that you (or the camera) will be showing up all
the flaws that they're trying to conceal from the world. Sometimes
(depends on the person), it can be helpful to explain to them in advance
that even the best models have flaws, & that it's the job of the
photographer to 'conceal' them, or even to turn them into assets.

My
girlfriend wanted me to take some glamour shots of her, which we proceeded
to do but then I couldn't get her to make an alluring facial expression.
All
I got was shyness - and we've been together for 6 years!!

If it makes you feel any better, my GF is very camera shy, despite being
extremely attractive. When we first met, she'd hide if I got out a
camera. It's nearly a year later, & she's much less shy about it. I have
a pet theory that now that she's seen me taking photos of other girls,
she's gaining confidence she can trust my judgement as to her best
angle, etc.