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Ernie Sanchez
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Not confident in your modeling?
Here are 5 tips guaranteed to improve your posing.
Everyone has been in your position, not sure about scheduling a photoshoot on the basis of experience, but rest assured that after a quick read and a little bit of practice you'll feel comfortable in front of that lens in no time.
The main reason that most people are unsure is really because of the lack of experience in the field. Seasoned models have had time to figure out what the photographer wants and how to evoke this, not only physically but also emotionally. Modeling will become easier with the following 5 simple steps.
1. Find your good side
The biggest step into modeling and posing does not come the day of the photoshoot but beforehand. Experienced models know what side of their face is their "good side" and use this to their advantage. Spend time looking at the mirror, tilt your head up and down, side to side, seeing what you like and what facial expressions or angles are more flattering than others. The day of the shoot some photographers might ask which side is your best, know what side you prefer and be ready.
2. Look at the center of the camera lens
This might seem like a very obvious point but during the photoshoot you might forget about it and your eyes might start to wander, make sure to stay focused. A photographer can usually tell when a model is looking where they need them to but at times it won't be noticed until post production, at this point all hope isn't lost but its harder of a fix. If your eyes wander it leaves more of the white exposed and makes for a poor composition or gives a odd look to the subject. So next time you're in front of the camera, show them that you know what to do with a strong gaze.
3. Place your hands softly on your body, never firm
The only time that you should place your hands on your body firm or very rigid is if the photographer asks. When doing so this creates a very posed look creating a very planned look versus a soft placement. When doing so pretend that you are placing something carefully on the body part that you're placing your hands on, it won't create unnecessary wrinkles and will look more natural. Let your hand take control, do not try to shape it or think about how it looks too much, let the emotion of the photoshoot take over. Tip: pretend to hold an invisible quarter between your bottom 3 fingers and let your wrist to the placement.
4. Never tilt your head downwards towards a low angle photo
The reason behind this is simple, it is not flattering and very rare for someone to pull off. If the photographer is shooting up towards you, tilt your head slightly upwards so as to show off your jawline and facial structure. When you look down you compress your neck and head creating a smaller frame and wrinkles that are harder to edit. If you are asked to tilt your head down extend you entire head forward then tilt downwards. This will decrease the odds of a double chin or unnecessary compression. Show off your confidence with a small upwards head tilt and express it with passion.
5. Do not worry about acne or superficial flaws
That is all they are, superficial flaws. When you enter the shoot the photographer will try to get you to create emotions for them so that they can capture what their vision is. This becomes harder when the subject is thinking about the pimple on their forehead the entire shoot, when you think about it your expression reflects that instead of what is needed. Remember that this will take the photographer one click when it comes to editing so do not worry about it, enjoy and have fun on your first photoshoot.
PRIVACY VS. PHOTOGRAPHY
If you feel that a camera is intrusive then it probably is or so one may believe.
Photography has become a norm that many people would not notice or care to realize the importance of it but it plays a pivotal role in todays society. Privacy on the other hand has been around since before the creation of the 27 Amendments were created because it is not a government issued subject. Now as is captured perfectly in a Harvard Law Review article there is more to this topic due to the increase of technology and a yearn for transparency from companies, especially the government. Photography, unlike other acts of free speech, has not been classified as a "expressive activity" and because of this the government can oppress and realistically end photography all together. This became very clear when California politicians began talking about potential legislation to create "safe zones" that would stop photographers from taking photos of a public figure and making them stay outside of their fifty foot zone. This naturally infringes on their rights to photograph anyone on public property which at times comes with a few contingencies that I would agree with and just about any photographer would too. Some of these are photographing into someone's private property or trailing and stalking someone just to get a photograph, its very clear where the line is drawn but there are still people who firmly believe that in order for one to photograph in public that there needs to be an agreement made. If this were the case it would be impossible to capture peoples natural reactions or expressions or even more so, keep the government in check by utilizing photography to prove the reality of what their governance created. Privacy will continue to evolve and be shaped by everything there is to come so for now the laws in place partially help the photographer but they always help those in need.
https://www.jstor.org/stable/1342012
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