making the model look slimmer

[coalcliff]

I have tried to search our great database here to fulfil the above topic to no avail, So now I am opening the flood gates for your input!

I have an aspiring extra/model who is concerned she is carrying about 14 pounds( 6 kilos) more than she normally does as she has recently moved and is out of her normal exercise routine.

She needs a shoot to put up on a talent site and wants to look her "normal self".

So apart from the following is there any other advice you can supply?

* Wear solid colour clothing, not patterns or hoops.
* Turn the body to the side and have the weight on the back foot
* Push the head out away from the body to avoid multi chins
* Shoot from above for better angle to show of the pretty face and the main feature
* Keep the arms away from the body to reduce the "bulk"
* Wear high heels....... for the model, not me!!! to make her legs look longer.

I look forward to your comments.

[LBaldwin]

Positive outlook and compliment the subject and I think you are well on the way. Remind her that REAL girls have curves...

[SOK]

This was posted with weddings in mind, but is a great read regardless;

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=286827

[coalcliff]

Thanks Les, thanks Steve, the post you referred to was excellent, lovely bride and great work by the poster,
My subject will benefit by the ideas without needing such a great image transformation.

[Kagemaru]

Liquify!

[coalcliff]

Thanks Dave, I was trying to avoid the photochop magic as much as possible, but its a great backstop if needed.

[Kagemaru]

Originally Posted by coalcliff

Thanks Dave, I was trying to avoid the photochop magic as much as possible, but its a great backstop if needed.

Don't be afraid to use it. I use it all the time but you have to practice to get it just right. It's easy to overdue. I recommend doing it little by little. And watch your backgrounds!

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by Kagemaru

Liquify!

Yep. I really get a kick out of the before and after shots of magazine cover girls. That look that so many people strive for only exists in photoshop.
Used wisely, it is a great tool.

[coalcliff]

Originally Posted by Kagemaru

Don't be afraid to use it. I use it all the time but you have to practice to get it just right. It's easy to overdue. I recommend doing it little by little. And watch your backgrounds!

Originally Posted by Patrick

Yep. I really get a kick out of the before and after shots of magazine cover girls. That look that so many people strive for only exists in photoshop.
Used wisely, it is a great tool.

It is wicked in the wrong hands and wonderful in the right ones...bit like most scalpels! Cheers guys.

[coalcliff]

Here she is.

Posing worked better for than she thought..."I look skinny!" She said.

[NickSimcheck]

Another technique you can use is to grab the entire image with the Marquee tool, then using the main arrow (make sure "Show Transform Controls" is checked) grab one side of the image and reduce it's width. Don't over do it, the whole point it to be subtle.

All you are doing is distorting the image to make her appear taller, her body isn't changed like liquify.

Edit ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Orignal

[NickSimcheck]

That's pushed to the max, at what I'd guess to be 8% reduction. Best to stick with 3-4%.

And yes, I already tried... It doubles as a 3D photo!

[coalcliff]

Thanks Nick, i used the transform tool for the facial portrait, but to be honest , she is a healthy aussie and we will shoot her again!! She loves the camera and visa versa

[hawk911]

okay- she said she looks skinny? she does, but I doubt she's not skinny in real life

One other point; remind her to take a breath in, to make her belly smaller. I've had them tell me "I am" and I feel like an a$$ but I do it anyway just so they don't forget. My problem is i'm usually looking at the face in the viewfinder, and not the abs.

[LBaldwin]

Damian, tell her not to worry with the right photographer and stylist she will look smokin.