OT: Sample Model Poses?

[r]Evolution wrote on 4/27/2008, 4:39 PM
I know there are a lot of varying types of Videos, Styles, & Projects undertaken & completed by the eclectic mix of people that come here to the Forum. I also know that for a lot of you Video is NOT the only thing you do, which really tends to help the others of us that also get thrown to the wolves and asked to do things that we don't normally do and truthfully lack the skill to do. Well, today I am one of those guys that has been asked to do a Boudoir Photo Shoot.

I'm good w/ a Camera but it's normally Product Shots or Shots of something that is being directed by someone else. Although I am confident in my abilities to get good looking shots & keep a good vibe during the shoot, I am NOT confident in my ability to Pose a Model. I have been looking all over the net for some type of 'Guide to Posing Models'. Although I have found a few, they are either too expensive, not detailed enough, or just words telling me what I already know.

Since I don't want to come off as 'the Picture Perv' I would really like to have a book of poses where I and the Model(s) could see & pick a few poses and go from there. (The poses don't have to be geared towards Budoir.)

My question is:
Does anyone know of a good Site, Book, .PDF, etc. that has Illustrated Model Poses?

Comments

rs170a wrote on 4/27/2008, 6:37 PM
Thee used to be a guy who posted here by the name of Stonefield (Stan?).
He did a lot of videos that are similar to what you want to do.
Check out his site for some inspiration.

Mike
richard-courtney wrote on 4/27/2008, 6:59 PM
To not come off as a Perv I highly recommend you ask the opinion of a trusted
wife, girlfriend, or sister. Get the point of view of a woman.

This might be worn out but diffused lighting and perhaps a soft mist glass filter
would be in order.
musicvid10 wrote on 4/27/2008, 7:06 PM
Excuse me, but it is impossible to "Pose a Model."

The model poses for you; you offer direction, suggestions, and hints, and nothing else. The model's personality dictates the shoot, rather than your personality, and if you are perceptive enough to snap the shutter at the right moment with the right angle and lighting, then good for you.

If for some reason you and the model do not connect during a shoot, then it is time for you to find a different model or for the model to find a different photog. That is the definition of art.
rs170a wrote on 4/27/2008, 7:16 PM
musicvid is correct but, IMO, it's still good to have an idea as to what kinds of shots work and what don't.
My suggestion would be to take a look at a site like Victoria's Secret.
These folks have been doing this for years and have a good ideas as to what "looks" will sell.

Mike
musicvid10 wrote on 4/27/2008, 7:22 PM
I agree with Mike -- it is not a good idea to "reinvent the wheel," however given some idea of the look you want to create, it is neither a good idea to dictate, but rather to be guided by the surprises your subject has to offer rather than your own preconceptions. The result will be greater than the sum of the parts, I promise.
fldave wrote on 4/27/2008, 7:25 PM
It's all in "your" eye, of what you want to capture. Try on small scale first, to see if you have the "eye" for it.

I shoot nature normally, flowers, rivers, waterfalls. I just shot a 3 cam HD shoot of a "semi"-rock star in an acoustical setting. I was totally out of "my" element, but I knew his material, and felt I could provide the necessary "eye" for his fans. I delivered a sample to him, and in our latest meeting, he was astounded with the pro quality.

I quietly thanked him, and said I was doing my best.

I agree that the talent has to be the driver in this, and your knowledge of the talent is upmost in the execution of the final product.

Coursedesign wrote on 4/27/2008, 11:59 PM
I used to shoot beauty contests (and top super models).

Soon found that the real pros were very easy to direct, but the inexperienced amateurs took a LOT of work to make presentable, they had no idea what they looked like, and it showed...:O).

If the shooter is nervous, it screws up the amateur models real good. Here you have to be dead calm yourself to calm them down so you can guide them to the point where they don't look like deer staring into headlights.

On the other hand, if you don't show total excitement and reverence for the top super models, you'll get a handbag over your head real quick.

That is not a joke.

TorS wrote on 4/28/2008, 9:25 AM
Lokk to Michaelangelo, Rafael, Caravaggio, da Vinci, Rembrandt etc. Study the best. That's what the best's always been doing.
Tor
[r]Evolution wrote on 4/29/2008, 7:27 AM
[I]My question is:[/I]
Does anyone know of a good Site, Book, .PDF, etc. that has Illustrated Model Poses?
_______________________________________________________

Thanks for all of the replies. I do remember seeing some of Stonefield's work. I'm sure after shooting all the girls that he did he was used to working with Professionals and had a sense of the poses/look in his head. What I am looking for is an Illustrated Sample Pose book of sorts. Something the Amateur model can look at and say, 'Oh, that's what you meant.' Also, something the client can look at and say, 'This is the look I'm going for in this project.' Something that I could even make Mock-Ups with the Poses for Pre Production.

I don't need advice on how to Treat the Model or how to Approach the Shoot or where to go For The Woman's Perspective. I simply need some type of Illustrated Manual of Common Poses.

Maybe you guys haven't seen such a thing or maybe it just doesn't exist in the price range I'm hoping for. Maybe I'll just search the web and download various pictures then assemble them into my own Sample of Poses Book.
rmack350 wrote on 4/29/2008, 7:52 AM
I'll bet you can find books on drawing and sketching that have lots of poses. Go to the library and you might find things made in the 50's and sixties that really speak to you and the model. Also, sketch examples imply a bit of artistry and fantasy without being too detailed or intimidating.

The other thing to look for at the library are books with interviews of photographers where they talk about similar shoots.

Rob Mack