Know how to pose and become a better photographer

Wednesday 9 May 2018, 14:28 by Michelle Peeters | 9,502 views | 0 comments

This article was translated from Dutch with the help of AI. Read the original.

In this video, Sorelle Amore gives tips on posing for photos by posing herself. She shows on camera how to create angles, lines and curves that are more attractive and flattering than simply standing still.

Your model or subject can be as photogenic as you like, you can have the best stylist and have the make-up done by a goddess. But if you do not know how to direct your subject, your images will remain average, boring and dull, and so will your Instagram.

Using the ligaments of the body to create shapes that lead the viewer's eye into or out of the body's core is what you want to achieve. Using your model's curves is a skill every photographer should have and feel comfortable directing.

This is exactly what defines a good model. And in fact, the images you capture determine the quality of your work.

What works even better is taking on the role of the model yourself as a photographer and trying to make a few self-portraits, to see how difficult it actually is to create the poses you want to photograph.

These tips are valuable for starting your career in portrait or fashion photography, or for learning something new. It is always good to know the rules before you try to break them.

The tips

Here are Sorelle's tips:

• For body poses, she mentions a number of things that work well, such as standing upright, pulling your shoulders back to show confidence, keeping your arms away from your body and turning them slightly backwards, turning your body 45 degrees and putting your hip at an angle;


• When you have your model sit down, always look for angles and try to create them. Raise one leg and keep the other somewhat lower, with one arm on the knee and one hand behind your back on the ground, for example;


• When you have your model stand, it always works well to place one leg in front of the other and have your model 'sit into her hip' (put her weight on one leg and turn her hip away). Again, always try to create curves;


• For group photos, make sure it becomes a cheerful whole, so that a less photogenic person stands out less;


• For facial expressions, make sure the model smiles 'for real' and does not produce a fake smile. You can do this by making jokes or having the model think of something funny.
  
  Look for the best or most attractive side of the face, or let the model decide this herself. Pushing the chin forwards and then down always works well. Relaxed lips that are slightly parted are always attractive.
  
  Do not have the model laugh too exuberantly either, the eyes should be relaxed (and not squeezed shut);


• Light coming in through a window is always beautiful. Be careful with bright sunlight and ugly, harsh shadows on the face;


• Work with what you have, so emphasise what is beautiful about yourself;


• Keep your camera level. If you tilt it, you will get either a small head or very long legs.

You might also like

• 

  Tip: corners and lines

  by Frank Doorhof

• 

  Posing tip: play with curves and use a prop

  by Frank Doorhof

• 

  Tip: go looking for lines!

  by Frank Doorhof

• 

  10 posing tips for wedding photographers

  by Elja Trum

• 

  20 poses for couples in less than 10 minutes

  by Michelle Peeters

• 

  Useful posing tips for photographing men

  by Michelle Peeters

0 comments

Have your say

Please note: Articles older than a week can only be commented on by signed-in visitors.
Would you still like to comment? sign in or create a free account.