Photography Poses - The
Missing Ingredient
By: Robert Bezman
 You've
read all the "best digital camera" articles, got the
best price on your first digital camera, and even
glanced at its owner's manual. Are you itching to
take some shots of your family, or what?
Slow down, soldier. Before you
take 200 shots that seem great at the time, but then
upon review of the final picture are less than what
you expected, let's prepare. Prepare?!?! I'll bet
you thought charging the battery was the hardest
part of taking great photos, didn't you? Sorry to
disappoint you, but if you want to improve your
photo results 50% in 2 minutes, let's review some
basic advice of the pros.
There are two categories of
GENERAL ADVICE which applies, regardless of whether
you're using a digital camera to take family
portrait poses, baby pictures, pet portraits, group
pictures, funny photos, or even maternity portraits.
The first category is...
"Good Planning" Advice for
Photography Poses
1) Prepare For The Event
Prepare for the event by
thinking about every photograph you want to take and
what kind of photography pose or poses you would
like to capture. Consider who, where, how, and the
type of environment.
2) Take Multiple Photographs
Take multiple shots of each
pose (remember, digital memory is reusable, a.k.a.
"free"). Regardless of what you say or do, people
will blink. And don't count on spotting small
problems on the tiny camera LCD screen (even on full
magnification); which leads to...
3) Check LCD Screen
Check the digital camera's LCD
screen for general framing of the picture, any
movement, visibility of faces, and the histogram.
Note that you can think up a fantastic photography
pose; arrange everyone perfectly; and, have the
photograph "frozen" (no blinking, and no shaking of
the camera)...but, when you check it out in the LCD,
you see 2 drunks fighting in the background! And, my
favorite...
4) Funny Phrases
Have some funny phrases handy
to use just before you take the photo. Don't use it
when setting up for the shot. And, don't use the
same phrase all the time. Throw in funny anecdotes,
phrases, names, words that you know your family will
find more amusing than "cheese." A natural smile
looks four times better than a fake one. The second
category is...
"Location" Advice for
Photography Poses
Taking indoor family
photography, is very different than outdoor family
photograph (duh!). For INDOOR pictures...
1) Wide Angle
You will tend to use the wide
angle more often than your telephoto setting. Pay
particular attention to your "end people" (those
farthest to the right and the left in your
viewfinder), and verify there is enough space in
picture, so that if cropping is required, the end
people don't have to lose a limb.
2) The Flash
Flash considerations are
critical. Do not be outside your "flash range." For
example, if at ISO 100, your flash can properly
illuminate 12 feet, don't attempt any photography
pose that requires anyone to stand at 14 feet
(unless, of course, it's evil cousin Ira who you
want to appear in darkness).
3) Plan "B"
If you need to be further away
than your flash allows, here are 2 things you can
try...First, increase the ISO setting (but not so
much as to produce to much noise), or second, move
to a significantly brighter location.
4) Watch Your Background
If there are distracting
features, change your settings to blur the
background (see the Techniques page). The best
photography pose in the world won't look right with
a distracting background. And finally...
5) Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
If there are mirrors or
reflective surfaces in the background and you can't
find a different location, only take the picture in
such a way that the flash is NOT PERPENDICULAR to
the surface, but at an angle (unless you WANT a nice
photo of your flash).
Outdoor family photography has
completely different issues. For OUTDOOR
photography...
6) The Sun
Avoid photographing in direct
sunlight, or in mixed light and shade, especially
faces. Optimal lighting results from a slightly
overcast sky.
7) Shade
When photographing in shade,
use fill-flash (see terms) when necessary. And,
REALLY finally...
8) Beauty
If practical, take the picture
at one of the beautiful natural settings near you.
Imagine the result of a creative photography pose
captured in a stunning environment. Can you say:
"Over the mantle!"?
To see 5 different categories
of poses with tips, scroll to the middle of
http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/
photography-pose.html.
Article courtesy of
http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com,
where you can see some sample pictures including
more photography tips.
Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman.
All rights reserved.
About The Author
Robert Bezman is a professional
photographer and owner of Custom Photographic
Expressions. Robert has created
www.best-family-photography-tips.com to help the
digital photography users create better photographs.
Robert has a blog at
http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/family-photography-news.html.
robert@best-family-photography-tips.com
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