Chin placement

[candleman]

i've heard the chin placement in relation to the shoulders and boduy is important for "correct" composition.

does anyone have any information on correct chin placement?

i pose peopl as to what looks good, and feels natural, but id like to know how to read poses a little more technially,

any tid-bits?

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by candleman

i've heard the chin placement in relation to the shoulders and boduy is important for "correct" composition.

does anyone have any information on correct chin placement?

i pose peopl as to what looks good, and feels natural, but id like to know how to read poses a little more technially,

any tid-bits?

I know this isn't the technical answer you were looking for, but I wanted to throw my 2¢ in.

There probably are some geometric formulas or hard rules regarding 'proper chin placement in a portrait'. What that brings to mind for me are things like school yearbooks. You know, where the chair is placed in a fixed position, students are herded in one at a time, sat down straight in the chair and head turned toward the camera. "Chin up, ...good." click..."Next..."

I like your approach: What looks good, feels natural. Like myself, I'm sure your have seen many, many great portraits, from the famous to the obscure. And, at least the ones I have seen, they have been from all different angles and with all different poses. I believe the subject, situation, mood, etc., all play a part in what's 'right'. As the photographer, it's for you to decide. It's part of the 'art'. If it's a more formal portrait, I guess more rules may apply, but for a more personalized, 'artistic' approach, I say go with your feeling.

Like with all the other aspects of photography, there will still be the critics. "Chin is 3 degrees off", "Aperture is one stop off", "I wouldn't have done it in B&W"...etc, etc. I like the individualism. Like you said; what looks good and feels natural. If all portraits were taken with the same lighting, the same pose, the same background, same lenses, same settings...photography would suck.

Anyways, I hope you don't feel I used your question to get on my soapbox...it was really intended as a reply to your question. As always, just my opinions...

[wulf]

It has got to depend, in part, on the chin. Has the subject got a long, angular chin or a stubby, almost invisible one? How does that fit with the rest of the face?

Try directing a model in where to position their chin, take a shot of each step and then examine them to see how that affects the overall result. As a second best, look at lots of shots that meet your criteria for "natural" and pay attention to how the chin and other details are arranged.

Wulf

[candleman]

well... that solves it then..

i was looking for something like this
i agree, keep it natural,
but basic posing such as a male pose versus a female pose has made a huge difference to my approach in "natural" portraits.. so i was looking for basic guidelines..
(male pose is head 90degrees to shoulders, female is slightly tipped over ..thus being stereotypical.. but it still looks "right" even when creating informal portraits.

you're right, i should step it out myself on a swiveling chair and see if i can come up with a guide.i appreciate the input.