NEED HELP!!! - DPChallenge Forums

08/24/2008 02:46:48 PM · #1

Okay so, I have a friend that does hair anyway, we traded out my hair cut/color/highlights for a family picture for her.. um here's my issue.. the last family picture I did I paniced but it came out really nice.. this one i need some help with and ideas.. mom and dad are about 5'4 and very large.. pretty faces but large. one child is very heavy too and the other 2 are tall and bean pole's.. can you guys help me out with posing for that? were going to be out by a rock creek, and then by a climbing oak, then after that just downtown in the city. it's today, PLEASE any input would be great

08/24/2008 02:49:46 PM · #2

For one thing, definitely stay away from straight on angles of the people. Have them stand/sit, whatever at angles to your shooting position, that can help 'slim' them.

08/24/2008 02:57:06 PM · #3

I can't find it right now, but recently I was reading some tips on posing bridal parties. They talked about how in every group of bridesmaids, there is always a 'heavier' one, and ways to deal with it. Angles is one thing, also, avoid putting them in the front of group shots, and try to avoid bare arm shirts/dresses (you can't always control that though) :-)

So, maybe try and keep the 'bean poles' in the front of the others in the shots, or like you said, out and around rocks, trees etc, maybe having them interact with the scene, leaning on and behind a rock, stump, etc?

08/24/2008 03:00:38 PM · #4

Oh, just thought of another idea for a group shot I've seen that could work here. You could try having them all either one, lay on ground, in a circle with their heads together, shoot down on the group, framing mainly their heads. Two, have them all 'huddle' up (like a football huddle), you lay on ground in the middle, shoot up at the group, again framing mostly heads. Obviously, can't do this for the whole shoot, but could be fun to try for a couple shots.

08/24/2008 03:02:43 PM · #5

I know the angles are a big factor in it, I need some ideas for a good family shot pose tho.. she wants one where maybe the kids are standing in front on/by the rocks and they are further back blurred. she's aware that they are large and told me she wants me to try to help with that in the picture...... I think I can get a few blurred in the back shots.. but she wants a family on for the " over the fireplace" shot that's not blurred.. and there is my delema..

08/24/2008 03:03:25 PM · #6

Originally posted by Photomom1981:

I was going to do the head one, never thought of the football, thanks tater!

08/24/2008 03:06:22 PM · #7

Yeah, I saw a couple shots like that that looked pretty cool, especially with a good sky. Makes for a very nice, uncluttered background! :-)

08/24/2008 03:10:39 PM · #8

Originally posted by taterbug:

Yeah, I saw a couple shots like that that looked pretty cool, especially with a good sky. Makes for a very nice, uncluttered background! :-)

do you know where i can find an example of this? hmm.. thinking though... looking down at me. won't this show double chins good?

08/24/2008 03:28:58 PM · #9

anymore ideas on posing? i've got about an hour and half to figure this out....

08/24/2008 03:55:48 PM · #10

Creatively use items in the environment to your advantage :)

Example:

or shooting at a slightly downward angle sometimes does the trick too:

As an aside, this girl is not self-concious at all. She loves herself. Wonderful for teens in today's world :)

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/24/2008 03:59:49 PM · #11

I agree I wish more kids were like that today, the girl that i am shooting is like that, the mom is not though. I won't hava problem 1 getting the child that is heavy doing anything I ask her too she "knows" she is beautiful. she has an amazing personality.

now how can i use that tip you gave fr a family shot? thats' my main issue.... getting them all together and making it work

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/24/2008 04:13:10 PM · #12

Originally posted by Photomom1981:

... mom and dad are about 5'4 and very large.. pretty faces but large. one child is very heavy too and the other 2 are tall and bean pole's..

I'd have the two skinny kids lying down, with their heads in the center, maybe propped up on one elbow, with their feet towards the outside of the frame. If they are really tall, you might have them criss-cross, though one will partially obscure the other that way.

Then have the parents flanking the third kid, sitting/reclining behind the first two. If the kid in the back is short enough, have the parents' heads above so that all five heads form an X pattern in the middle of the shot.

I'd then try shooting from near ground level to make those in the back look taller; depending on the focal length of the lens and the DOF you may also get some "slimming" distortion.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/24/2008 04:37:42 PM · #13

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I'd then try shooting from near ground level to make those in the back look taller; depending on the focal length of the lens and the DOF you may also get some "slimming" distortion.

so you think shooting this from ground level would be better than above for better sliming?

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/24/2008 05:30:47 PM · #14

Originally posted by Photomom1981:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

I'd then try shooting from near ground level to make those in the back look taller; depending on the focal length of the lens and the DOF you may also get some "slimming" distortion.

so you think shooting this from ground level would be better than above for better sliming?

I don't know -- I'd probably try all levels -- low, straight-on, above eye-level, way high looking down -- if the people are patient enough. For the highest angle I recommend packing along a light but sturdy stepstool or 5-6' ladder.

Some of the decision would be based on the foreground and background. I'm thinking some grassy or light-colored FG, and maybe dark, OOF trees in the back to make the faces stand out.

Also depends on the terrain; if you're shooting up or downhill.

I don't recommend any sliming until after the shoot is completed ... ;-)

Message edited by author 2008-08-24 17:34:44.

08/25/2008 12:06:20 AM · #15

k well.. it went...okay... I'm not very happy but I can live with and they liked so.. I'm just glad it was a friend and free..lol

08/25/2008 12:13:56 AM · #16

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08/25/2008 03:03:54 AM · #17

I left you a little comment.

08/25/2008 05:55:16 PM · #18

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08/25/2008 07:02:25 PM · #19

I really like this one :)
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08/25/2008 07:12:44 PM · #20

I kinda liked that one too, I just wish her son wouldn't have been a little shit the entire time.. i'd get him just right and when i'd go to take the picture he'd move.. after the shoot we went out to eat, during that time he tells his mother they are now eve, he didn't cooperate well for something she wanted ( the pictures) becase she didn't let him go with his friends instead of taking pictures.. little shit!

08/25/2008 07:13:52 PM · #21

I wish I knew how to do all that "funky" editing to a picture i took of the boy so that way he would like it and maybe next time be a little more... nice.. lol

08/26/2008 10:43:00 AM · #22

LOL! Sounds like you got a clone of my 12 year old :) He is quite the little stinker when he wants to be. You might PM

Photokariangel and see if she will grunge it up for you. She is quite good at overlay/grunge edits :)