Just wondering...

[MK Anthony]

I actually didn't take this picture. )My family went to a portrait studio right before Christmas and my mom bought the package which comes with the CD of all the images, so I'm not stealing this one.) Anyway this is a picture of me which I was not happy with. I think my left hand (in the right hand side of the picture) looks awkward and uncomfortable, and I think the whole pose looks fake and well not relaxing. I was wondering what you all think about it because I want to someday be a professional wedding/portrait photographer and I want to avoid awkward poses.

[windrider86]

Welcome, Please take a moment to read these and include the information that is asked for. Thank you!

[MK Anthony]

I read them earlier (and I just read them again). Do you mean include the EXIF data? I would, but I don't know how to find the EXIF data. Especially since I didn't take this picture. I really wanted critique on the pose and awkwardness (in my opinion) of the picture.

Posing is not always a comfortable thing for the subject, and today's younger crowd seems especially opposed to it. We would not want anybody to be uncomfortable. Trouble is comfortable does not always look good... and seldom looks great. Here, I think you felt uncomfortable.. so that is what you see in the image.

That is not to say that I fully agree with the pose.. or that I feel that it could not have been modified a bit. Maybe so your hand was not supporting your weight.. so that the palm was not full contact to the floor.

Over-all though.. not a bad image.. just nobody's favorite.

[windrider86]

In your editing program, look under image. It should say somewhere in there about your image information. Also if you use a site like Flickr, it will automatically save your exif info for you.
If you are wondering why thats important. It's because if we know your camera setting, a lot of the time we can suggest alternate settings for you to get a crisper photo
Even tho this inst your photo and I understand you probably dont have access to their exif info.
Just keep that in mind for future reference. It helped me a ton when i was starting out!

[MK Anthony]

Originally Posted by Papa Rotzzi

Posing is not always a comfortable thing for the subject, and today's younger crowd seems especially opposed to it. We would not want anybody to be uncomfortable. Trouble is comfortable does not always look good... and seldom looks great. Here, I think you felt uncomfortable.. so that is what you see in the image.

That is not to say that I fully agree with the pose.. or that I feel that it could not have been modified a bit. Maybe so your hand was not supporting your weight.. so that the palm was not full contact to the floor.

Over-all though.. not a bad image.. just nobody's favorite.

Thanks for your opinion. I guess it is true about feeling uncomfortable. And I agree that comfortable doesn't always look good. I do like this picture, I was just wondering what could be better (if anything) in the pose.

[MK Anthony]

Originally Posted by windrider86

In your editing program, look under image. It should say somewhere in there about your image information. Also if you use a site like Flickr, it will automatically save your exif info for you.
If you are wondering why thats important. It's because if we know your camera setting, a lot of the time we can suggest alternate settings for you to get a crisper photo
Even tho this inst your photo and I understand you probably dont have access to their exif info.
Just keep that in mind for future reference. It helped me a ton when i was starting out!

I don't have any editing program yet, I use picnik.com for right now. I recently joined Flickr, and after reading your reply I went on Flickr and tried to find the exif info for any of my pictures but I couldn't. Then after googling it I finally figured it out. I loaded this picture up just see if I had the exif and I don't.

[windrider86]

No worries at all!
One of the things a photographer has to learn to be a success is how to pose a model without looking posed. Getting your subject to relax plays a huge part in getting a photograph that looks natural.

[jml79]

To me you look off balance and almost in pain. What I would do to this pose...

Straighten your back and pull your shoulders back. You are slouching and it makes your neck and head move forward.
Your right hand distracts me. A womans hand should ususally be posed long and almost straight. A man should be the opposite. Just a general guidline but I think correct in this case.
Your smile looks forced. Time for the photog to get you to relax and smile. Either by talking or getting your mind on something fun.

I always find it helps after I pose someone to tell them to take a deep breath and then relax and make the pose their own. This has 2 effects, 1 they do just that and suddenly the pose looks right and natural or 2 they totally bomb it (slouch more), I make a funny face or comment like "not that your own" and catch a great picture as they laugh.

I am still learning myself but my style is always to make the photo shoot fun. That is when I can start to capture the real person. Some of the best shots happen by playing and me just being ready to take it as it unfolds. I use posing as a guideline for position and then go from there.

[MK Anthony]

Originally Posted by jml79

To me you look off balance and almost in pain. What I would do to this pose...

Straighten your back and pull your shoulders back. You are slouching and it makes your neck and head move forward.
Your right hand distracts me. A womans hand should ususally be posed long and almost straight. A man should be the opposite. Just a general guidline but I think correct in this case.
Your smile looks forced. Time for the photog to get you to relax and smile. Either by talking or getting your mind on something fun.

I always find it helps after I pose someone to tell them to take a deep breath and then relax and make the pose their own. This has 2 effects, 1 they do just that and suddenly the pose looks right and natural or 2 they totally bomb it (slouch more), I make a funny face or comment like "not that your own" and catch a great picture as they laugh.

I am still learning myself but my style is always to make the photo shoot fun. That is when I can start to capture the real person. Some of the best shots happen by playing and me just being ready to take it as it unfolds. I use posing as a guideline for position and then go from there.

Thanks so much. As this was taken the week before Christmas in a studio (a level higher than a Walmart photo place, but still not an expensive professional) and the place was so incredibly busy, I'm not disappointed in the results. I know it was rushed (and I'm the oldest of 7 kids so there were a lot of individuals to do). But since i want to be a professional portrait photographer someday, I really appreciate the tips!