I would love to have more variety and interest in the photos taken of the garb that I make, but I basically have one pose--hands on hips. ::) Anything besides that, I tend to feel kind of silly, and Milord isn't that helpful behind the camera, either. I see the kinds of photos I *want* to take, like these smashing ones of our own Lady Elizabeth in her hats (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=2130.msg143235#msg143235), or even the slightly-more-interesting-than-just-standing-there poses on Featured Attyre (http://www.festiveattyre.com/feature/yr6/feature.html). And yet... somehow we can't ever get there. I experimented a bit with my fan (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23882966/398339168.jpg) yesterday and had some nice results, but I sense Milord's heart really wasn't in it (although he'll *take* gads and gads of photos)... and last year when my whole family did the "Much Ado About Nothing" garb, we tried out scenes from the movie, but really, we all just looked... silly. The garb was fabulous; the models, not so much. Candid shots aren't terribly successful, either (I *always* have a stupid look on my face).
Any advice for overcoming camera-shyness to improve our poses &c?
Gramercy!!
For the stupid look problem (I have the same issue!), look down and to the side. I know it sounds crazy, but if you don't look at the camera, you tend to look better. That doesn't mean that your face won't been seen, just a downwards glance rather than looking directly ahead.
For poses -try sitting as well as standing. Some of the greatest photos I have are sitting on a wall or on a bench.
Also, be aware of light. We all tend to look differently at different times of the day. (I look best in the afternoon) Go through your best photos you already have and see if you can remember about what time of day they were taken. If most of them were taken around the same time in the day, you might just need to wait until that time to take pictures.
I stand with one foot a tad in front and angle my hip a bit. Think old school like Diana Ross how she always stood that way I look a tad thinner and well I feel saucy lol.
If it makes you feel better most the pictures that I find of myself I look like a ticked off blowup doll. My blasted mouth is always open. Or I look like a total idiot at least to me.
Thanks! At the risk of sounding outrageously vain, I should mention that I tend to look *good/OK* in photos (I'm reasonably photogenic, as long as I'm holding still ::)), I just look... boring. Milord and I have an album of photos we've done together, every single time we've been to Fair. And with very few exceptions, we're in the same exact side-by-side pose: like here (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23241773/387656748.jpg), here (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23241773/392703985.jpg), here (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23882966/398339884.jpg), and here (http://pic50.picturetrail.com/VOL417/1033223/23241773/394147242.jpg) (*that* was a major departure, with the holding hands!). It may be hopeless, however; I mentioned this to Milord this evening, and he said he thought the saucy poses &c looked silly and, "I think ours look better." Sigh.
As far as how to stand and what to do with your hands you might try copying some poses from some of your favorite paintings...this would work for you alone and with your hubby.
Quote from: isabelladangelo on September 04, 2011, 08:16:11 PM
For the stupid look problem (I have the same issue!), look down and to the side. I know it sounds crazy, but if you don't look at the camera, you tend to look better. That doesn't mean that your face won't been seen, just a downwards glance rather than looking directly ahead.
I second this, it tend to work very well. It's also perfectly period, haha!
As for making the photos more interesting, try engage yourself in some activity, or fake an activity. Hold/read a book, a music instrument, a basket of stuff you're rearranging, point to a letter, mend another of your (period) dresses, braid your hair, pose with a fan, play with a puppy, show the viewer some of your fine jewelry... There's a lot to do, and it'll make the viewers interested in what it
means. Even if it doesn't necessarily have any meaning. In general, pose as your character would do. working peasant, flirty courtesan, pious noble woman, bored wife, you name it. Examples:
http://www.festiveattyre.com/gallery/doublet/doub8.html
http://www.festiveattyre.com/gallery/campi/itwk2.html
http://demodecouture.com/projects/caterina/
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/venetian/venmai5.jpg
Or you could do nature pictures to get a bit of drama. Preferably at sunset, or on a windy day. Avoid too plain sunlight, you need the sun to be set low. Cliffs, sea, trees blowing in the wind... Think Wuthering Heights! A romantic garden with large pots, vases, alleys, fountain etc. will also make a good setting. Like here:
http://www.festiveattyre.com/gallery/ghirlandaio/index.html
http://abigailsateliers.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/1background.jpg
A third option is to use a laaarge piece of fabric as a backdrape. Pose in 3/4 profile, as most portraits features, and it'll look very period. Like here:
http://web.comhem.se/~u41200125/Anthonismorgown.html
http://www.festiveattyre.com/gallery/venetian/index.html
http://www.ninyamikhaila.com/galleries_c16th_towerelizred.htm
http://costumes.glittersweet.com/sca/northrhine/2clevespracht.htm
But also, be sure to take pictures when you're wearing the outfit "for real". The place you wear it will usually have a setting or two which is perfect for taking photos. Don't just take a snapshot or two, force a person to take at least 30 pictures of you. Seriously! Three or four of them will turn out great, the rest is probably more for documentation use. But the pictures that are perfect will be oh-so-perfect.
http://www.silverstah.com/pinkcampi.html
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v31/operafantomet/aminta/amintainsets.jpg
The latter is me posing with a Phantom costume in real Phantom sets. It might be my favourite costume picture evvah. Of my own costumes, I mean...
Tyra Banks' model competition show occassionally drops some great facial expression advice.
Put your mind in a different place, "I see my knight in shining armour" or "M'Lord is a total tiger in his bedchambers" which will alter your expression slightly.
Sometimes my photos just scream "take the shot, already"
Edit - As Op-Fan said, take lots of shots. That is another thing fashion photographers do.
One more time... Lots of shots! Especially these days, with digital photography, it's the only way to come up with those "perfect" shots. When I shot film, I was thrilled to find just one perfect shot on a 36 exposure roll.
In my case, I can't help the stupid look part. I think I look best ... whatever that means ... when it's candid. If I become aware of someone trying to shoot me at faire, and I haven't already made direct eye contact, I'll just stop and gaze off into the distance, allowing them their candid shot.
Absolutely agree with other posters; think about something else, glance to the side, not straight into camera, and, of course, lots and lots of shots (especially if you are using digital).
With children we've found the best shots are always unposed, just clicking away while they are doing something of interest to them. Avoids that odd lip smiley thing when they look straight at the camera and "smile."
Film and processing was expensive when I got one good shot in a roll (or two rolls or three); unfortunately, with digital the lag time between pressing the button and opening of aperture(?) drives me absolutely crazy. The more expensive cameras are a lot faster (can't afford one yet).
If you are showing off garb, try some fluid movement and freeze, like side to camera, raise an arm as if picking an apple from a tree, then stop, turn head toward camera, stop, turn more of body, stop, etc., letting photographer snap pix. Can get some flow to the garment that way rather than still poses.
For pictures of you, not necessarily the garb, try standing at an angle to the camera, not straight on; slant your head listening to a bird in a tree, bend down to pick up a penny and smile up at camera, turn your back to camera, look over shoulder and flirt with photographer. Try to let the photographer capture a moment of feeling, a story, etc.
Also try not to look down too far...can create a double chin whether you have one or not!
Count me in on the stupid look sect and I am very rarely photogenic.
However after freaking out about this exact subject for a week before dragoncon, this is what I have learned, at least about myself and from watching other people 'sucesfully' being in pictures
1- props help A LOT
2- spend time (for me it was several hours over a week) looking in the mirror figuring out your best angle and look
3- definitely get into character and like everyone else said- put your mind in a specific moment or situation- it will change your micro expressions
4- did I mention that props help :) - that includes furniture, railings to lean on, things to climb, people to interact with.
I don't know what I would have done if I didn't have my batons for cheetara and my bow for steampunk. They helped me make 'poses' to reduce the stupid factor.
I want to thank everyone for these EXCELLENT tips!! I haven't had a chance to do new costume shots, but I've started practicing my "down and to the side" looks, and what a difference! Milord and his parents got some shots yesterday that look great. I'm so thrilled, and can't wait to try them out when I have something worthy of being photographed! LOL
I am not photogenic. But what I aim for is 3/4 pose. Which make me look a little thinner. And I don't care what the photographer says I'm not facing the sun, it make me squint. Let's both get into the shade. With today's digital camera's the auto white balance can compensate. If I want to show off my dress then there are compromises. But usually I straighten my shoulders and tuck my backside under me. It will makes me stand a little different. I stand with my side facing the camera and then twist at my waist to 3/4. My feet perpendicular to each other.
Also lick your lips and empty you mind. OR better yet, relax you face, then think of the most ornery thing you did as a child. That usually puts a light in your eye and a sly smile on your face. Or if the photographer is good looking FLIRT. Any or all if good, and I've used them all both taking portraits and having mine taken.
Just some suggestions from a photographer.