The following is a direct copy and has been Pasted in for future reference from the People & Place coursework PDF Doc. (pasted in Maroon)
Take some time to flick through a number of magazines that feature pictures of people, and note the variety of poses that are used. In addition to the basic ones of sitting, leaning, standing, walking, squatting, and so on, there are variations in the way the limbs are positioned, the hands, twists and turns in the torso, and more.
For this exercise set up a portrait session, and plan for your subject to adopt in turn at least three different basic positions (sitting, standing, etc.). Within these, suggest, as you shoot, different limb positions. Later, review the results and assess how effective or attractive the variations were.
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Equipment
Camera – Nikon D4
Lenses – 24/70 – f2.8
Ancillary Equipment – Monopod & Nikon 910 Speedlight
Method & Approach
Please see pictures and captions below.
Note – all pictures have been compressed hence there might be a quality reduction when enlarging.
Picture 1 – Varying the pose (Sitting posture – Tapestry 1)
Camera Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera supported on a monopod)
Speed 1/90th sec
Aperture f2.8
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Custom (5500°K)
Lens 24/70mm
Focal Length 30mm
Comments – This picture of my wife at our dining table shows her body in a leisurely fashioned sitting position with her lower legs crossed suggesting a comfortable and relaxed body posture. One arm is tucked into her body supporting the tapestry whilst the other arm and elbow are supported by the table. Without the need to use her arm muscles to hold her arm up in this position allows her wrist and hand to work for longer periods in an accurate and more relaxed way without fatigue.
Picture 2 – Varying the pose (Sitting and Leaning posture – Tapestry 2)
Camera Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera supported on a monopod)
Speed 1/50th sec
Aperture f5.6
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Custom (4900°K)
Lens 24/70mm
Focal Length 28mm
Comments – This picture shows another body posture necessary for the type of work she is currently performing. Although in many ways a continuation to the posture above but here we can see her back is arched and leaning forward in order to check and mark her tapestry progress.
Picture 3 – Varying the pose (Upper body posture / Concentration – Tapestry 3)
Camera Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera supported on a monopod)
Speed 1/50th sec
Aperture f5.6
ISO 800
White Balance Setting Custom (4750°K)
Lens 24/70mm
Focal Length 30mm
Comments – In this image my wife is seen performing another task in close relation to the two postures shown above and again with her hands but this time I have moved around slightly and also closer to capture the concentration in her eyes whilst she is threading a needle. Again the sitting position is very much the same as the two previous images but here I have tried to show not so much body but more posture of the head, neck, shoulders and arm positions.
Picture 4 – Varying the pose (Standing posture – Kitchen 1)
Camera Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera supported on a monopod)
Speed 1/60th sec
Aperture f4.8
ISO 800
White Balance Setting Custom (5250°K)
Lens 24/70mm
Focal Length 28mm
Comments – Shown in this picture is a full body posture of an everyday activity. My wife is seen here cooking with both hands, one hand is supporting the wok whilst the other is operational. The position of her feet and her proximity from the cooker visually suggests a natural stance and in control. If we were to imagine her performing the same task but this time leaning over towards the cooker from distance with her feet in a similar position (side by side and close together) with her back bent and arched and the oven door open, it would visually look uncomfortable and likewise suggest a lack of control and unnatural body posture.
Picture 5 – Varying the pose (Standing and leaning posture – Kitchen 2)
Camera Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera supported on a monopod)
Speed 1/90th sec
Aperture f4.8
ISO 1600
White Balance Setting Custom (4100°K)
Lens 24/70mm
Focal Length 32mm
Comments – Above I mentioned if her back were bent over with the oven door open and her feet together at full stretch it would look unnatural and look out of control. With the imaginary scenario, it suggest that she is farther away from the cooker than in this picture but in this image we do see her back and body posture arched and bent over to some degree but with the ability to use her right leg as a counter balance and in doing so we see that she is comfortable and in control.
Picture 6 – Varying the pose (Comfort posture)
Camera Details
Camera Nikon D4 (camera supported on a monopod)
Speed 1/60th sec
Aperture f4.8
ISO 400
White Balance Setting Custom (5500°K)
Lens 24/70mm
Focal Length 42mm
Comments – In this image we see a totally different sitting posture from above. This position shows a body posture taking full advantage from the comfort of the chair, her legs are up from the floor and her arms are tucked in, the whole posture is almost foetal like, suggesting comfort, at ease and in a relaxed state.
What have I learnt from this exercise
I have learnt from this exercise that the human body has a certain look about it when it comes to body posture and whether it’s a natural look or not. When photographing people it’s necessary to recognise this quality and therefore be able to take advantage of what is a relaxed and comfortable posture opposed to that of bad posture or even unnatural.
Thoughts and Reflection
With regards to photography and picture characteristics, body posture can ultimately make or break an image. In certain types of photography it might be necessary to capture a particular body posture for a more dramatic effect and it may well be that bad posture best delivers that particular type of shot i.e. a professional sports person carrying an injury … or having just been injured, etc.
Summary
Again I have enjoyed this exercise and having to study outside of the coursework looking at certain human body positions, postures and scenarios has helped me recognise a type of aspect in photography that until pointed out was just taken for granted in relevance of the captured image.
stingray493 