Posing Using The 1-2-3-Positions

[Benji]

POTN doesn't seem to have a "Tutorial" forum so I put this here.

I frequently see portrait images breaking the 1-2-3 rule regarding the body, head and eye placement. In portraiture you can guarantee your subject a very boring and static image by having the body in the # 1 position, the face in the # 1 position and the eyes also in the # 1 position. That means all three point in the exact same direction. Add a straight up and down pose where the subject is seated squarely on his or her buns or standing with their weight equally distributed on both feet, add no leaning of the body and I can guarantee you, you will have a REAL BIG ho hum image.

In my image below, the young lady is seated with most of her weight on her right hip which leans her body away from the camera, and she is turned 45 degrees away from the camera also. Her body in this image is in the #1 position. This will also tilt her shoulders so they are not straight across. I DID NOT allow her to place any weight on her right arm/shoulder as this will cause the muscles in her upper arm to tense up and bulge out. Her head is turned to the #3 position (which is at about the same angle as her left leg is in) then her eyes are turned to the # 2 position which is about 1/2 way between her body position and her head position. This will get the eyes off center a bit. I also shot from a slightly elevated position so her eyes are looking up. Short light it and make the capture.

So to start with seat the female at a 45 degree angle to the camera, have her place most of her weight on the rear hip, have her turn her head WAY back beyond straight on, to the camera, and then have her bring eyes back to you. This WILL feel strange to her and it WILL FEEL UNNATURAL to her. She may even say it feels strange and unnatural and attempt to 'unpose' herself. If she wins, you both lose. If you win you both win. If you are shooting digital pose her as stated above then show her the resulting image on the back of the camera. This WILL immediately build her confidence in your skills at posing her and will prove to her that she doesn't look strange in your poses.

Benji

For more free tutorials:

http://www.photocamel.com/index.php/topic,16842.0.html

http://www.photocamel.com/index.php/topic,15518.0.html

http://www.photocamel.com/index.php/topic,14989.0.html

[elTwitcho]

Nice writeup, I didn't know that

[Benji]

Another of the same gal, only standing this time. Same 1-2-3 posing technique.

Benji

[Palladium]

Thanks Benji :)

[brivett]

Great advice.... appreciated

[dave_borg98]

This is greatly appreciated. I have been looking for some simple direction in posing but I keep getting led back to looking at other photos but that does not tell me why they are posed like that.

[Travis F]

Exellent information, thanks for taking the time to post this. I have always had a hard time trying to pose people. It is definetly my weakest point right now. But my wife and I have been trying to get out at least one time a week to practice.I'll have to print this post so that I have it in my bag for reference.

Would you pose couples based on the same prinicple? Or do you look at a couple and instinctively know how you want them?

Along these same lines, can you recommend any good posing guides or web-sites?

Thanks again,
Travis

[Wilt]

Benji,
You have done the photographic community a real favor by posting some hints about POSING. It seems that posing is altogether a lost art. People shooting weddings and portraits of everyone so often neglect the basics in posing the people so they don't look so badly!

[TJPhotoGuy]

Those are fantastic, and the advice is great. Keep it coming! To me posing is by far the hardest part of photography.

[michael88]

Very good advice, I will practice this.

[wolverinesr1]

nice shots.i love the tips on posing.anymore to share?

[Benji]

Would you pose couples based on the same prinicple? Or do you look at a couple and instinctively know how you want them?

Along these same lines, can you recommend any good posing guides or web-sites?

Thanks again,
Travis

Travis,

With couples or groups try to keep in mind that if the pose looks good on an individual, it will almost always also look good in a group. However you may need to 'fudge' on the pose a little.

For couples the 'ideal' is for the eyes of the shorter person (usually the female) to be at the same height as the mouth of the taller person. If you have to raise the shorter person up do it (use a taller posing stool, or have them stand on a small wooden riser if they are standing.) I have two wooden boxes that fit inside of one another, the smaller one is about 14 x 14 x 6, the larger is 16 x 16 x 8. These are large enough that a person can stand on them and it will get them up 6 or 8 inches higher. They are 'pretty' enough that they can show in a portrait if need be and not be unsightly (usually the subject is seated on them not standing though.)

Posing guides can be found at Barnes and Noble or your local camera shop. One I particularily like is Body Parts by the late great Master Photographer Don Blair of Ogdon Utah. It is filled with some really great information.

Benji

[blundar]

You really need to go 1 step further with this concept for it to be be trully successfull.

One arm up one down, legs one higher than the other, shoulders leaning one way and head the other, and hips the other...

You never pose square flat to camera and facing straight at it like a flat board. S-curves work best for women and power poses are best for men.

Examples:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/blundar/IMG_0413.jpg
One arm placed higher than the other, one leg higher than the other, glancing to the side, leaning back.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/blundar/IMG_0322.jpg
One shoulder high other low, head leaning opposite to shoulders, one leg forward one back, one arm up close to body the other angled out.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/blundar/IMG_0522.jpg
One arm up one down, head angled to the side and slightly down, legs staggered.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/blundar/IMG_0368.jpg
Body leaning one way head the other way, one arm close to body and one farther away

[98photo]

Thanks for posting this! I have a hard time posing some people and others just get it right off. I usually don't pose people but shoot when they are more relaxed and have gotten plenty of great photos.

[Mike6158]

Great info... now I know why my posed people pictures sucks so bad :) and the candids usually work better... Thanks a ton!

[jfrancho]

Good stuff here.

[Alissa Morris]

Another of the same gal, only standing this time. Same 1-2-3 posing technique.

Benji

Beautiful portraits.

[SezzySue]

awesome write up. i will have to read it a few times to learn it beter and remember it but thank you.

[EOS mE]

great info Benji,... didn't even know about the 1-2-3 rule.. ;)

[Wilt]

Benji, your links appear to need updating, as they do not go to any particular thread or even forum!

[Benji]

Benji, your links appear to need updating, as they do not go to any particular thread or even forum!

Yeah, they updated the forum several weeks ago so it would load faster. The ones below will work.

Benji

http://www.photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/16516-rules-good-portraiture.html
http://www.photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/14669-portrait-head-shoulders-image.html
http://www.photocamel.com/forum/tutorials/14779-1-3-2-posing-technique.html

[djharmonix]

flat is never always bad:

http://www.pbase.com/nicolasshapiro/image/89628613/original.jpg

[blundar]

Sorry to say but this previous photo is not what would be called flat. It's called an "s" curve. Head tilt one way, shoulders the other, hips the other, and even the arms are one front and one back. A flat pose is standing straight to the camera with everything about the pose being straight and plain.

[kuanyu]

Nice to see this thread come back up. Maybe a few others will join in with some posing tips. I find it's my weakest photography skill no matter how hard I try / study.

[blundar]

Showing you a bunch of poses will do nothing to improve what to do to properly pose someone in front of the camera. To me it all depends on what you are trying to do with the photo session.

1. For a thin tall female model in a fashion shoot the poses will be more artistic and classy.

2. For the same model doing a sexy lingerie shoot the poses will be "s-curves" to make her look more curvy and shapely. The poses are more provocative and accentuate the best parts and hide the flaws.

3. For a male model the poses are more of a lean forward power pose. Same for a corporate portrait shoot (male or female).

4. For a child the poses will most likely be cute.

5. For a family portrait the poses will be more classical.

6. For a female model with short legs the poses will be with her legs more out-stretched and high heels from a lower point of view to make them look longer.

7. For a large heavy-set person the vantage point will be from high up so that they are raising their head up (hiding the double chin) making the body look smaller.

8. For a model with a really cute face/hair/makeup then more close-ups.

9. For a dancer the shots will be dynamic quick captures. Same for gymnastics.

10. For a wedding, the couple will be doing romantic hugs, looking into each other's eyes, hand holding, dancing, etc...

Don't worry so much about the exact poses. They should not look uncomfortable or tense in front of the camera. Most poses can be tweaked. Look at the other details like where long hair lies, how the fabric on an outfit looks (wrinkled and bunched up). Look at facial expressions. Does the same smile appear on all of the photos? If the model is dressed in a skimpy skin tight leather outfit and she has a cute smile then it does not match. If wearing an angelic outfit is she looking bored or scared? Is the bride looking worried? Do the children look like they are angry or anxious?

Go to several modeling websites and look at the poses from some of the best photographers. Look at why the poses work, the body type, etc... Bikini poses are different from fashion and different from sporty shoots...

[undergrad.]

If there is one thing I learned in my photography class it's that every rule of photography can be broken if done correctly.

[airfrogusmc]

Remember just like with lighting what looks good on one won't look good on the other. Knowing when to use a broad, short, butterfly type lighting and what quality (softn/hard) of light is just as important to your subject as what pose. The right lighting can also work with a pose. Also watch your subject to see how they pose themselves naturally. That is sometime where the real mojo is. Being open and being preceptive is all part of being a good portrait photographer.

[airfrogusmc]

I wanted to add knowing these posing techniques can only help you as a portrait photographer but sometimes following these rules can produce the same type of images from different photographers and from one photographer with different subjects. Sort of a McDonalds type approach to photography. Well heres a quote from a truly GREAT portrait photographer.

"There are no rules and regulations for perfect composition. If there were we would be able to put all the information into a computer and would come out with a masterpiece. We know that's impossible. You have to compose by the seat of your pants." Arnold Newman

I think the same can be said for lighting and posing. Following rules is never where you'll find greatness. Following rules is playing it safe and if you always play it safe you'll never achieve greatness in any creative field.

[Benji]

(copy) "Following rules is never where you'll find greatness. Following rules is playing it safe and if you always play it safe you'll never achieve greatness in any creative field."

Maybe not, but playing it safe and following the rules in your portraiture will allow you to earn enough money to be able to do the creative stuff. This is of course assuming you make your living in portraiture like I do. But if you're a hot shot corporate CEO with $$$ to burn go ahead and break all of the rules all the time. No one will care.

Benji

[airfrogusmc]

(copy) "Following rules is never where you'll find greatness. Following rules is playing it safe and if you always play it safe you'll never achieve greatness in any creative field."

Maybe not, but playing it safe and following the rules in your portraiture will allow you to earn enough money to be able to do the creative stuff. This is of course assuming you make your living in portraiture like I do. But if you're a hot shot corporate CEO with $$$ to burn go ahead and break all of the rules all the time. No one will care.

Benji

Well I have worked in a fairly high volume studio where we used all the rules and the portrait orders were great and we made lotsa $$$$ and I worked in a low volume very high end studio where he shot for each individual and the only rule he followed was what looked good on each individual client. Got guess who made more $$$ and did less volume? $$$ never is a good judge of what is good its only a judge of what sells. My clients come to me for my style. Not the whether I follow a cookie cutter formula. Be CREATIVE. The word even is CREATIVE is even anti rule. To create something new means not following. Watch your client, study his/her mannerisms then figure out what lighting looks good on them and then follow your gut. Use poses that they fall into naturally and try and do it in a way that is unique to you. Has your style in it. If its good people will come to you because its the only place they can get your portraits. Just remember the easiest thing to do as a creative of any kind is the safe thing.

[blundar]

I wanted to add knowing these posing techniques can only help you as a portrait photographer but sometimes following these rules can produce the same type of images from different photographers and from one photographer with different subjects. Sort of a McDonalds type approach to photography. Well heres a quote from a truly GREAT portrait photographer.

"There are no rules and regulations for perfect composition. If there were we would be able to put all the information into a computer and would come out with a masterpiece. We know that's impossible. You have to compose by the seat of your pants." Arnold Newman

I think the same can be said for lighting and posing. Following rules is never where you'll find greatness. Following rules is playing it safe and if you always play it safe you'll never achieve greatness in any creative field.


The tips that I posted on here are not something that anyone taught me as rules. These are simply some things that point me in the right direction that I have found to make my work better through experience. Obviously they are only a starting point. If you noticed how I worded the tips, I said "For a family portrait the poses will be more classical." That means that I will have a tendency to do these type of shoots with more classical poses. I also do non-classical poses too these types of shoots.

The original post was asking for guidance for how to pose and what to do to improve posing skills. I simply put the thought process that I go through when I pose people in front of my camera.

[sonshine_rae]

You have to start somewhere.. it's best to at least 'know' the rules.. then you can come up with your own 'twist' on it..... otherwise you'll likely will be like most of the repliers in this thread who simple are amazed to realize the mistakes they've been making are what caused their posed portrait to be blah.

[airfrogusmc]

You have to start somewhere.. it's best to at least 'know' the rules.. then you can come up with your own 'twist' on it..... otherwise you'll likely will be like most of the repliers in this thread who simple are amazed to realize the mistakes they've been making are what caused their posed portrait to be blah.

Absolutely and I thought I clearly stated that. You need to know how to light, recognize a good pose and understand what good composition is but don't become a slave to any of it.

[H.B.]

I'm so glad I found this thread. Thanks Benji, I'd heard of the 1,2,3 rule but didnt know what it was. I'm off to do a shoot for a mate today so I've been brushing up on ideas and this thread is a great help. Some have suggested that rules should not be followed but I've got to agree with Sonshine_rae above, its always best to get the basic building blocks layed first, then you can start to add your own flare.

Mick.

[photofx]

Awesome, I have been searching the net for a month on this subject and haven't found anything this good. Thank you.

[johngalt_ny]

If you follow Benji's links you'll probably come to his "40 Rules" which is a great -- repeat GREAT ---- tutorial. I never remember them all but if I use 5 or 6 in a frame I did better than I would have.

[poldoga]

Wow. I have been trying to get better with portraiture for a long time and posing is really one of the challenges. This is great not only for creating the image but it's simple enough to be communicated effectively to the subject! Thanks! bw!

[F4 Cyborg]

http://jzportraits.home.att.net/

[jesshen]

I registered on Photo Camel so that I could read the tutorial on this topic; but it won't let me view any of the pictures associated with the tutorial when I click on them (just says I haven't been authorized).

Does anyone know if there is something else I need to do, besides register, on Photo Camel, to see the pictures of this tutorial? And incidentally it won't let me post on that forum either, even though I registered.

Thanks,
Jessica