Note: File this one under ‘bizarre’, ’silly’ or ‘things to do on a boring rainy day’…
Looking to take a portraits with a quirky twist? Try ‘jowling‘ (also sometimes known as slap n’ flap).
How do you do it? Get your subject to relax their facial muscles completely (to the point that they have no facial expression)…. open their eyes and mouth (try to keep them open)… then to shake their head from side to side as fast as they can. Start snapping (use a flash and fast shutter speed to freeze the ‘action’)! Here’s what jowling looks like:

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OK - so I suspect that most of these shots are taken at parties when the facial muscle relaxation is aided by a drink or four - but this jowling thing is bigger than you might think - it even has it’s own website - jowlers.com - complete with it’s own ‘how to’ page, galleries and more!
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Now you know how to take Jowling shots - why not take some and head over to our forum and share them in a Jowling Thread that I just set up.
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Is #2 Homer?? Look at that mouth, it must be Homer(in a younger and better shape though)
I don’t think I’ve seen that before. What fun. Unique portraits are always great for the portfolio.
Rosh
http://www.newmediaphotographer.com
Funny. I’ll have to try this with my son.
http://www.petelanglois.net
lol! This looks so interesting to capture. The shot of the last guy looked as though he was er.. punched. Thanks for sharing!
http://chanraymond.net
Now this is just weird - but looks like a ton of fun!
I am definitely going to try this - Live caricatures are timeless
This is awesome. I can’t wait to try it. LOL.
Okay. That was stinkin’ hilarious.
Can you imagine how cool it would be if you were to throw water on him while he was shaking his head? Great idea I am going to give it a try!
Funny that it’s all dudes :)
I can hardly wait to get my (young adult) kids and their friends to do this for me!
My wife studied economics and one of the theories involved the “invisible hand”. I guess this is what happens when the “invisible hand” gets ticked off…
Way too cool. I am so doing one of those tomorrow for my 365 days Flickr group.
Fish face much? ;)
Thanks for sharing.
It is like the wheels fell off the wagon. I want the 2.5 minutes of my life back that it took me to read this waste of time. This isn’t funny or entertaining. How can this possibly help readers learn and hone photographic skills? I can certainly understand a diversion but this is out and out junk.
Get a life Bilka,even though you are at the bottom of the fun tree, others do like a break from the norm,and playing around with different lenses and speeds and lighting isn’t learning?
Very funny. Just think what you could do if you used PS too!
Jowling at a wedding reception:
http://www.dterryphotography.com/gallery/5014672_os2fk#301045953_BKsyJ
If you put someone’s fist into frame it can look like the subject has just received a sock to the chops. :-)
Thnaks for the smile on my rainy day. 8)
OMG. :O
Ahahaha! I’ll have to try this. Thanks.
What a hoot! I’m going to have to try that. This is why I like this website so much. You guys are always coming up with so many interesting ideas.
Looks like they where hit in the face with a http://crapcannon.com
We call this “Shaker Faces”. Awesome.
This is really old!
Common’
we do this all the time… we call it shakey face! the trick is to keep your eyes open and your mouth loose!
Why don’t you save them have a loose retina and have them stand with their mouths open and photoshop or gimp them into the same contortion
I’ve seen this before, but it was called a ghost punch. *shrug*
jowling..???
the technique is called “punch face”
because it looks like you have just been punched in the face
and has been a favorite pastime for 5 or so years..
LOL, that is the funniest thing I have ever seen. Hilarious!
JT
http://www.FireMe.To/udi
It should read flash OR fast shutter speed. Not both. Although with new digital cameras that may no longer matter. It used to be that you only used one shutter speed with a flash. Does digital change that?
Fantastic, Superb
Thanks
SHAKE FACE
Wooh cool idea to cure my boredom.
Gonna go try this now.
Heres my attempt: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kunaldaswani/2613031742/ - Good fun!
i’m gonna try this for sure …
These are great! Thanks for the giggles!
Funny! I want to try making pictures of my girlfriend like this…. How can I get her to agree…?
This looks like a great starter exercise to get kids comfortable in front of the camera. Thanks for the great fun tip.
Hmmm… Really only for a heavy rain day.
Great photos! At first glance, I thought they were taken in a wind tunnel or in front of a fan.