I want to get a posing stool. What height, style, etc?

Hello all,

I would like to get a stool for posing my subjects but I don't want to buy an actual 'posing stool'. I was thinking of just getting a nice wooden stool and a cushion for it.

I'm curious what others are using. If you are not using a posing stool can you get by with a fixed height stool or should it really be adjustable? If it is fixed height what would be the most generic height to have?

Ideas? Suggestions? If a posing stool is really better I'll spring for it and any links to inexpensive stools would be appreciated.

we find our adjustable stool very useful for photos of two or more. for instance if you have a person seated in the stool, and another standing behind, you will generally need to adjust the height of the seated person relative to the standing person to achieve a proper arrangement and composition. with an adjustable stool this is very simple. if you're only photographing one person at a time, the need isn't so great.

i have found, however, that my subjects have generally been more comfortable in chairs opposed to stools, and the comfort shows in the photographs.

What type of chair do you use. Does it have a back? I would think it does not have arms. I would like something that at least for now will let one person pose in comfort. I'm focusing right now on portraits, headshots and head & shoulder shots.

I use a collapsible stool sold for drummers and keyboard musicians. It is rectangular, adjustable height, and wide enough for a mother and child to sit on. This is basically the same bench, although you may be able to get it cheaper at a musical supply place:
http://www.adorama.com​/PTPBL.html

chtgrubbs wrote in post #2713292
I use a collapsible stool sold for drummers and keyboard musicians. It is rectangular, adjustable height, and wide enough for a mother and child to sit on. This is basically the same bench, although you may be able to get it cheaper at a musical supply place:
http://www.adorama.com​/PTPBL.html

Thank you. That looks like exactly what I want. I'll see if it or something like it is available for less but that seems pretty reasonable.

suyenfung wrote in post #2713347

HTTP response: 500 | MIME changed to 'text/html'

pardon the mess, we're still building our wood floor. it's a very simple chair with a back, no arms. we got for $20 at ikea. i believe it's the back which allows people to get more comfortable.

I can definitely see where the back would allow for greater comfort as well as helping with correct posture and positioning. I might just give that a try first.

I use my office computer chair. No arms hydraulic up and down swivels and has wheels and a small back you can't see in a head and shoulders portrait. Already had it so don't have any extra cash outlay.

Only drawback you have to shoot on one knee a lot of the time.

AginKajun wrote in post #2713501
I use my office computer chair. No arms hydraulic up and down swivels and has wheels and a small back you can't see in a head and shoulders portrait. Already had it so don't have any extra cash outlay.

The small back was what crossed my mind. If you want a head and shoulders shot with a standard chair you might get part of the back of the chair depending on subject height, shoulder width and their position. I'm not sure I like having wheels on the chair. That seems to allow for the accidental movement that can throw things off. A stationary chair seems like a better idea.

Since I don't have a chair to use I will be buying something but just want to make sure it is the most generic and will get me through most situations.

AginKajun wrote in post #2713501
I use my office computer chair. No arms hydraulic up and down swivels and has wheels and a small back you can't see in a head and shoulders portrait. Already had it so don't have any extra cash outlay.

Only drawback you have to shoot on one knee a lot of the time.

Great idea! Many of them have removable backs as that's how they're shipped - "some assembly required".