[ftmftm]

hi all, thanks for all the comments on my other pic's, it is very much appreciated. It does help....

Julia has modelled a few times and is trying to get in the business. She is a very nice polite girl and great to work with and it helps she has a great body.
Comments always welcomed. David

[skipper954]

Hi David

Again, this looks like a bit of an uncomfortable pose for Julia, both emotionally and physically. This isn't a very natural position, and she isn't looking very happy. She is not projecting any personality into the image.

Technically, the lighting on her face is causing some unflattering light and shadow across the front of her cheeks. And her white knuckles on her right hand are distracting, as is her bony left shoulder.

When you take a models picture, it frequently helps to talk to her, ask what her strong and weak points are, and to try to maximize the positive etc. Of course post processing can help With inexperienced models, you have to direct a lot because they don't know how to pose well.

I really do think that you can do better in your posing, though. Look through thousands of photos and decide what you like and dislike, if you haven't already done that.

I do like tha BG lighting but I think it should be a tad higher to highlight her face.

skip

[Gary Bagshawe]

Im afraid I have to agree with skip on this one, the whole pose just looks too forced.

[IanHoughton]

I would also have to agree, my initial thoughts were the model didn't look comfortable leaning forward in that way, and the position of the hands doesn't look natural. I do like the lighting effect on the background though.

[Angela]

Yep I agree too. I think you could find a much more flattering pose for Julia. Again, the lighting is great!

[VeddieEdder]

I'd suggest you take some time and energy to study some "classic" poses of your particular style of photography. The lighting you achieve is for the most part good, but as I've watched your posts, most of your subjects look either/and unnatural/uncomfortable. Some may feel as though they are "copying" when doing this, but imitation is the best form of flattery.

This particular image, the pose makes me uncomfortable as the viewer, thus I can fully understand the amount of unease that comes through in her facial expression. If I'm uncomfortable, she's got to be double that. Keep at it tho!

[Gary Bagshawe]

For poses etc I look through womens magazines and the like and tear out the pages with shots that I like then flick through them all before a shoot, I also talk to the model constantly during a shoot to help put them at ease complimenting them etc, also talking utter bobbins and im sure most of them think I am insane but if it helps them relax and pose more naturally then hey ho im a nutter here we go!!!!

[Rob Barron]

The pose seems to be (though hard to tell in a 2D image) one where she is pushing her torso forward, almost peacock strut style. I have seen many a pose whereby a buxom lass has pushed forward her top half alluringly but not to then put her hands up and pull back the very things she is trying to push forward.

Ok, ideas:
~ She is a very pretty girl and a lot coule be made of her face without worrying too much about her body.
~ To include her body, use poses whereby her arms are allowed to drop so that her bony prominences on the shoulder will not be a problem.
~ Likewise, any hand shots should be flat-handed. The best position is a natural curve: relaxed hands are never flat, you have to use muscles (anterior digitalis flexoris if I remember my anatomy correctly) to hold the fingers straight, relaxed they fall forward to a natural slight curve. If these are 45 degrees on to the camera, the joints will not stand out as they do when in 90 degree profile.
~ With any pretty giirl who has a lovely face and body but slightly more obvious joints than we would like, the key is to have relaxed poses whenever possible. The shoulder prominences are being pushed up because she is pulling her elbows in to her body. If her upper arms were more relaxed, even within the same pose, the difference would be marked. Test this yourself: put your hands onto your chest with arms relaxed and then push your elbows in to your body. Feel what is happening up at the shoulders and you'll see what I mean.
~ Watch the effect of lights as you move them around the girl as you will see remarkable differences even with just a few inches of movement. I am particularly referring to shadow areas which we need to consider more for any prominences. As a good example, look at Julia's left shoulder (right of pic) and look at the area between the shoulder prominence and her neck. There is more flesh area there but it is in shadow from the prominence. If this area got a bit more light, the prominence would be less obvious. Raising the light source higher would help that but watch for other areas being affected. It might be that a reflector out of shot could put a bit of light in to that area.

This is a pretty lass and I am certain there are some beautiful shots to be had of her in relaxed poses. Keep trying and see what else you come up with. Your commitment to learning the difficult art of model posing and lighting is extremely admirable and I am certain your willingness to pick up tips and ideas will stand you in very good stead.

Keep it up and let's see some more :o)

Cheers,
Rob