Basic Poses, Basic Tricks? - Model Photog

[MattyB]

i've got my trusty 300D which is still serving me well, and i just added a 50mm 1.8 to the collection, i haven't any external lighting or special equipment

but i want to do some on-site photography for a couple i'm friends with.

i want to use natural light, and i want the eyes to be as sharp as possible.

also, i need to get some tips on what to ask them to do, they're very comfortable with me, but i have no idea what poses or expressions or even how to talk to them incase they shy up a bit.

all i can say is "smile" or "say cheese".. thats the extent of my model/people photography.

so, is there a really easy senario for me to try and mimic when i go for this shoot?

is there a standard pose that generally shows off their good features?

all my photos of people, i always do when they aren't looking at the camera (not the illegal stuff, just trying to get shots of them as them..) but now i want to learn how to purposely get the shot i want.

and tips?

ps; please keep the lighting tips as simple as posible, thats one of the hurdles i've yet to concur.

[tim]

Get this book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584281340/102-9127707-6895351?v=glance&n=283155). Use a flash as fill and for catchlights in the eyes.

[claudermilk]

Also take a look at this one (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1584280573/qid=1137617836/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-8359729-7928855?s=books&v=glance&n=283155), I just finished reading it & there was a lot of great info in there.

[MattyB]

cheers guys

[Longwatcher]

As everyone is different there is not likely to be a single good pose that works for everyone.

That said.
- Having them resting weight more on one leg tends to make them look better.
- Hands at different altitudes tends to look better.
- straight on front or side views of the body tend to be bad; go for an angle.

That is the extend of my easy to give out knowledge and experience.