12 Photo Posing Tips You Need To Know

Picture taking is inevitable. Almost everybody takes pictures about anyone or anything especially when there are important events in their lives.

Most people are conscious about how they look in the photograph. Some will immediately ask the photographer to let them have a look at the photograph after the shot. Sounds funny but it's true. You see, the old saying is always true, that pictures can paint a thousand words. So, we have to look nice in the pictures for people to say good about us.

It would really help if we know the basics of photo posing even though we are not really professional models or photographers.

So here is the list I have gathered to help you and me pose like professionals:

· Act natural. This is the most basic and most important thing to do. Just act natural and everything will be fine.

· Turn slightly to the side when standing. This will help you to look thinner and slimmer especially when you are alone in the photo.

· Cross your arms to draw attention away from stomach. No offense to those who have gifted stomachs out there but this can greatly help you. It will appear that your stomach is flat.

· Don't cross your legs when standing. It will appear like you want to go to the bathroom. This is not a beauty pageant.

· Turn your body slightly to the side when sitting. This will help you look thinner and slimmer in the photo.

· Pull head forward slightly. This can help the body to appear smaller than the head. I mean it. In photos, this can look great.

· Hold arms slightly away from body. This will help your body to appear bigger.

· Chest forward and stomach in. This can imply your personality in the picture. Imagine if your chest is not leaned forward and your stomach is out, it can mean that you are lousy.

· Look away from the camera. You can try this technique to make a "stolen" shot effect. This can help you to be less conscious.

· What is closest looks biggest. Just inculcate this principle in your heads. You know what body parts you are proud of so you can use this technique.

· In group picture, avoid standing at the end, the person always looks bigger. I do not really know but for some reason, the last person in either left or right in the photo appears much bigger than the rest. Try to look at your old photos and see the difference.

· Cross your legs when sitting. This is especially true if its portrait or when you are alone in the photo. It can help you look professional and confident.

Those are just some of the many photo posing tips out there. I'm pretty sure that with a little practice applying those techniques or tips, you can look like a professional model in your photos. Enjoy posing!

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Tips for Getting Great Images Using A Compact

Compact digital cameras today come with advanced technology. So don't ever think that just because you only have a compact, you won't be able to achieve quality images similar to the DSLRs. In fact, some of the best photos you may have seen were captured using a simple compact camera.

On the internet today, you have a wealth of information available on photography tips. There are websites and blogs some with videos that provide tips and strategies on getting the best shots possible.

In using a compact, the manner of holding the camera is very important. Avoid holding it at arm's length as it is likely to cause the device to shake. To ensure stability, what you can do is bend your arms such that your elbows are braced against your body. It's also a good idea to hold the camera with two hands.

There are other ways you can avoid the common shake issue when using compact digital cameras. One effective method is to lean against a wall or a doorway when shooting. In situations when light is low and your shutter speed slows, you can place your camera on something steady to keep it stable.

Another tip is to use the self-timer so that you avoid shaking the camera when pressing the shutter. And for best results, you can invest in a durable and sturdy small tripod or monopod that you can fit in your camera bag. This way, you can have it handy when you want to take photos on certain occasions whether indoor or outdoor.

Putting your compact camera on automatic mode may not always give you the best results. There are compacts with manual controls allowing you to have more control on the quality of your images. If you don't go for the manual mode, though, there are scene modes available these days in compact cameras such as the focus mode, white balance, colour, sharpening and other settings. These scene modes normally adjust the parameters for the subject you're capturing to achieve the result you desire.

If you're after quality images, one good tip you need to remember is to use the biggest image size. Know that a small resolution may give you more shots but in terms of quality, it's not ideal particularly if you're planning to have your photos printed. What you should do then is bring extra memory cards whenever possible to allow you to capture more great images.

Using the flash is another great way to capture amazing photos. It's a misconception that the flash should only be used when light is low such as when shooting indoors. Keep in mind, however, that you can always use the flash even when shooting outdoors in bright light. This will help you avoid a silhouette in your images. But if you use the flash, it will balance the subject with the background.

Lastly, you can use the macro mode of your compact camera if you wish to get close-up photos. If you're capturing a flower, for instance, it will help you get close by one to two centimeters from your subject.

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What Makes a Great Photograph?

I'm sure this article will be controversial. I mean, after all, how do you objectively characterise what makes a good photograph? It's not like marking a mathematics paper, where there is always a right or wrong answer. Photography, much like any other art form, is very subjective. That said, I do believe that there are certain elements that all great photographs share in common. Here's my (subjective) attempt at defining them:

1. Great use of Light- I've placed this in position 1, because photography is essentially all about light. As has been said many a time, photography literally means 'painting with light', and to become a true master of this discipline requires that you can read and understand light in the same way that you read and understand language- Metaphorically, it is one of the linguistic building blocks of photography. When taking a picture, great photographers will consider the direction as well as the quality of light. Is the subject side lit, or back lit? Is the light source hard or soft? Will I set up the picture so that it is low-key or high key? Depending on the answers to these questions the overall emotional feel and aesthetic of the image will change radically, thereby changing its meaning. To give you an example, look at some classic pictures taken of jazz clubs in low light. Typically these are low key in nature and they create a very definite 'noir' aesthetic. Play around with light so that it supports the meaning you are trying to convey in the image.

2. Great Composition- As in great art, great photographs generally have a sense of compositional form and balance that is pleasing to the eye. As a starting point it's a great idea to understand the basic rules of composition, such as using the rules of thirds. Once you have learned them though, don't be afraid to play around with them and break the rules. It's a way of establishing your own unique style, and who wants to be limited by rules anyway?

3. A Sense of Timing- Take a look at the work of Henri Cartier-Bresson, the undisputed master of street photography, and you will notice that, as well as having complete mastery of composition, he was also a master of timing. He knew how and when to anticipate what he called 'The Decisive Moment'; that point in time when all of the elements of the image fall into place and when the emotional 'pitch' of the story is at its peak. Great timing is essential in photography. Practise being patient, and remember to try to anticipate the best moment at which to engage the shutter button.

4. A Clear Subject- Great photographs generally have a very clear idea of what the core subject of the photograph is. If you find that when you frame an image the subject is unclear then try taking out any unnecessary elements. Sometimes simplifying the image is the best way to improve it.

Try experimenting with these different elements to see what works for you. Don't forget you only get better with plenty of practise. Good luck!

Matt Foden Photography is a wedding and portrait photographer based in Croydon in London. You can see more of his work at:

http://www.mattfoden.co.uk/

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