Isa Outside - Not Happy With These

Bryce WilsonBryce Wilson Registered Users Posts: 1,586 Major grins
edited September 12, 2011 in People
I'm not too happy with most of the shots I got with this session. I did get a few head shots that I'm ok with, but the half and three quarter poses leave a lot to be desired.

Subject was a big girl. Not overweight mind you, but about 6' 1" with, shall we say, VERY "athletic" thighs. I really struggled getting poses that looked comfortable and yet flattering. I'm afraid I pretty much failed.

I'm hoping some of you folks that do a lot of this sort of thing will take the time to chime in with some advice and pointers.

1. I'm OK with this one

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6138689171/&quot; title="Isa by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6089/6138689171_7c80d19b83_b.jpg&quot; width="840" height="600" alt="Isa"></a>

2. Somewhat OK with this one.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6138695721/&quot; title="Isa by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6138695721_ee67f82785_b.jpg&quot; width="840" height="600" alt="Isa"></a>

3. Fail

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6138690353/&quot; title="Isa by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6138690353_d7dc0a83f7_b.jpg&quot; width="800" height="640" alt="Isa"></a>

4. Fail

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6139242156/&quot; title="Isa by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6139242156_e8265d9429_b.jpg&quot; width="800" height="640" alt="Isa"></a>

5. Fail

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6139241046/&quot; title="Isa by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6075/6139241046_6473270918_b.jpg&quot; width="800" height="640" alt="Isa"></a>

6.Fail

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6138689961/&quot; title="Isa by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6138689961_5e2c264199_b.jpg&quot; width="840" height="600" alt="Isa"></a>

7. I'm somewhat OK with this one.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6139304810/&quot; title="Isa by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6139304810_3e8642e5c4_b.jpg&quot; width="840" height="600" alt="Isa"></a>

Looking forward to ideas and comments. Thanks.

Comments

  • TinstaflTinstafl Registered Users Posts: 355 Major grins
    edited September 12, 2011
    It is the poses. In 4 her leg was closest to you and you were below her. Makes it look bigger. In the other failed shors you need to have separation between her arms and torso. In the arm is across the body and she is straight on towards the camera.
  • anonymouscubananonymouscuban Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 4,586 Major grins
    edited September 12, 2011
    Beautiful girl. They seem a little flat to me but that's personal preference. I think you did fine. And aint nuttin wrong with some nice, thick thighs... just saying. There are still some people, not gonna say who, that like a woman with a little bit of robustness to their bodies.
    "I'm not yelling. I'm Cuban. That's how we talk."

    Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums

    My Smug Site
  • l.k.madisonl.k.madison Registered Users Posts: 542 Major grins
    edited September 12, 2011
    5 and 6 look fine to me, I'd keep them!

    Your processing on her face looks a *tad* over done and they all look just a *hair* out of focus, but that could be my monitor and the quality of the shot that you uploaded. Those are my only nitpicks, though.

    She's a gorgeous woman and you did her justice, awesome work.
    personal facebook
    photography facebook
    twitter
  • Bryce WilsonBryce Wilson Registered Users Posts: 1,586 Major grins
    edited September 12, 2011
    Tinstafl wrote: »
    It is the poses. In 4 her leg was closest to you and you were below her. Makes it look bigger. In the other failed shors you need to have separation between her arms and torso. In the arm is across the body and she is straight on towards the camera.

    Yeah, I pretty much agree with you completely. I really struggled with this shoot. Just couldn't seem to be able to find poses that looked good and still comfortable.
    anonymouscuban wrote: »
    Beautiful girl. They seem a little flat to me but that's personal preference. I think you did fine. And aint nuttin wrong with some nice, thick thighs... just saying. There are still some people, not gonna say who, that like a woman with a little bit of robustness to their bodies.
    "Robustness" is indeed good. Unless, the person being photographed doesn't want to look "Robust":D
    Yeah, they are a bit flat to me too. It was a REALLY overcast day with fog in the AM. I may have spent too much time searching for interesting light and not enough time coaxing poses.
    l.k.madison wrote: »
    5 and 6 look fine to me, I'd keep them!

    Your processing on her face looks a *tad* over done and they all look just a *hair* out of focus, but that could be my monitor and the quality of the shot that you uploaded. Those are my only nitpicks, though.

    She's a gorgeous woman and you did her justice, awesome work.

    Well thanks for being kind but two out of sixty ain't gonna cut it.:D And I'm glad you mentioned the soft thing. I'm not sure why but it seems that that happens quite a bit when I downsize images for web posting. Gonna have to figure that one out.

    Can anyone recommend a good "Posing Females" book/guide/website?
  • danieloowensdanieloowens Registered Users Posts: 23 Big grins
    edited September 12, 2011
    She looks uncomfortable. I think it shows in her facial expressions. Was this a senior portrait session? Just curious.
    Daniel O Owens
    "The Motocross Photographer"
    I photograph ATV Motocross, ATV & Dirtbike GNCC Racing, Amsoil ARENACROSS & private sessions for riders, teams and manufactures.
    My two main clients are NumberOneATV and Dirt Rider Magazine.
  • VayCayMomVayCayMom Registered Users Posts: 1,870 Major grins
    edited September 12, 2011
    Egads, when I was pregnant my husband shot a candid of me sitting in an arm chair straight on at my waist level. Now over 30 years later I STILL remember how horrid my thighs looked.Like monsters, like redwoods !!!

    Her legs would look better if she was perpendicular to you legs bent at knees, feet level with what she is sitting on. OR standing, turned from you, knees pointed away from you and leg closest to you "popped" meaning knee bent, foot flexed and just the ball of her foot touching the ground , like a pageant contestant, there is a reason they stand like that, turned plus hands on hips to complete the pose.
    Even thin girls can have thigh issues, due to sports, dancing, cheerleading, my oldest daughter did even at size 0 ! In the pageant world I have learned to NEVER pose a gal with her arms alongside her waist, it adds width. Hands on hips, on a post, toughing hair, anything else. A guy once challenged me about Sports Illustrated swim suit edition... I saw one model lying on her side and her arm not touching the sand was way back behind her so only her hand showed resting lightly on her hip. A waist is the smallest part of most gal's bodies, don't add anything to it.

    Google best poses for large people etc, tons of advice out there !

    I learned a lot from a book about posing...by Jeff Smith "Posing for Portrait Photography a head to toe guide " He shows before and after poses that show you what just flexing the feet can do. What to do, what not to do.

    Check your library or check an online book source called Alibris for cheap new and used books. :)
    Trudy
    www.CottageInk.smugmug.com

    NIKON D700
Sign In or Register to comment.