Portraits and poses

[dannyrich]

I have taken a shine to photographing people, generally just headshors most of the time for practise but when I try to take a picture of a person, perhaps whe i want their body in teh frame too I cannot seem to decide what to include/exclude.

For example, I tend to go for full body shots and then dont like the final. Is it acceptable to cut off at waist level or knee level? I just read somewhere that you should never crop a joint.

This would really help my photography to get your opinion, at the moment instead of trying it out, i dont because I dont want a poor shot. Im very much a confidence player and am a perfectionist towards myself so im finding this a major stumbling block.

Your help would be appreciated.

PS should this be in technique?

[Nicole]

Yeah, I moved it over to the Photographing People Technique area.

I've always read that it's not good to cut people off at the joints. But as long as you're not cropping (or shooting) that way, then there are plenty of things that are acceptable. Have you tried cropping some of your full body shots in different ways to get an idea of what works for you and what doesn't?

[dannyrich]

Originally Posted by Nicole

Yeah, I moved it over to the Photographing People Technique area.

I've always read that it's not good to cut people off at the joints. But as long as you're not cropping (or shooting) that way, then there are plenty of things that are acceptable. Have you tried cropping some of your full body shots in different ways to get an idea of what works for you and what doesn't?

Thanks Nicole

I had a feeling it wanted shifting!

I havent tried, as I said I get frustrated with myself quite easily and like to have an idea of how to get the best out of myself.

I think its because most people around me, family and friends etc dont liek being in front of the camera that much so when I take the pics I like them to be good because I get one go!

I was just wondering what others did really. I could do the waist as long as the arms were folded etc, i think the joint issue there would be the wrists otherwise not perhaps the waist.

[AnneWynne]

If you have not done it yet, look at the sticky at the top of this forum for a link to pose examples. Very helpful.

Also, find some literature on posing...having recently attended a photographer's convention and attended several classes that included posing, it is a real art.

Good luck,
Anne