CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Putting It All Together

We’ve covered the basic principles involved in posing and composition. In this chapter, we’ll look at a selection of images and talk about how the posing, image design, and lighting choices work together to make the images successful.

In the image below, the subject has a nice, dynamic pose. I probably could have moved her left hand out a little bit to give a little more flow to the pose, and could have bent the elbow of her left arm some. I think the woman’s attire and the pose work well with the pool table.

In discussing composition earlier in the book, we talked about leading lines and the concept of tension and balance. Note that we have a triangular composition in this pose, which runs from the toes of the subject’s right foot, up to her head, and down to the tips of the fingers of her left hand. The shape is repeated in the placement of her bent leg. In creating the triangular shape, we ensured that several leading lines guide the viewer’s eye through the frame and to the subject’s face. Additionally, the placement of the pool cue and cue ball lead the viewer’s eye from the left-hand edge of the frame to the subject.

Note the way the framed artwork provides visual interest that helps to balance out the visual “weight” of the image which, due to the subject’s placement in the frame, tends to be concentrated on the right side of the image.

Amidst all of the dark, more masculine tones in the image, the subject’s light skin tones “pop” and quickly draw attention. Her feminine curves are a lovely juxtaposition to the straight lines in the image.

This informal, triangular pose works beautifully with the subject’s casual clothing and the environment.

In the image below, all of the elements of the photograph come together to form a fun, dramatic portrait that is well suited to the girl’s enchanting, fun personality. The dramatic, contrasty sky creates a beautiful dark backdrop that allows the subject’s tanned skin tones and crisp white sundress to “pop.” Note that the horizon line does not cut across a critical point of the pose and that it is positioned at roughly the lower third of the frame, making the sky more prominent than the body of water behind the subject.

The three-quarter pose has all of the elements of a feminine pose. The girl’s weight is on her rear foot, her body is turned slightly away from the camera, and her face is turned back toward the camera. Her arms, held away from her torso, give us a nice view of her overall form, and the angles of the arms add interest.

At this time of day, there was little natural light to work with. I supplemented the existing light with the “Doug Box” (this is a sturdy, easy-to-use softbox I had made to my own specifications when I couldn’t find anything I liked on the market) and a battery-operated flash system called the ProFoto Acute B. It’s a great option if you need more power, have to use the flash repeatedly, or need a fast recycle time. See the Resources section for more information on the “Doug Box.”

This spirited pose and dramatic natural backdrop helps to illustrate the subject’s vibrant personality.

In the images on the facing page and on the right, the environment and the pose work harmoniously to help set the mood of the portrait.

On the facing page, we have a great portrait of a man in a casual pose. We were walking around looking for great light and interesting places to photograph, and we found both. I wanted a very natural, casual pose to go with the subject’s casual clothing. The gas pipes in front of the brown wall seemed to be the perfect place. Note that the subject’s shoulders are at an angle to the camera, and his head is turned and tilted toward the light. This is a classic “masculine” or C-shaped pose.

In the image above, we have an interesting camera angle and lots of graphic appeal. All of the elements present dynamic lines, giving the image energy. Both arms are bent, the fingers are gently curled, and the teen’s right arm directs the viewer’s gaze to the subject’s face. The sharp contrast of the subject’s skin with her clothing also reinforces the visual prominence of the subject.