The best poses for men for a photo shoot. Male portrait (genre of male photographic portrait in photography)
By photographing people at night without flash, you can gain invaluable experience photographing in natural light. Most people think that as soon as it gets dark, you need to start using flash, but natural light from lanterns, lamps, store windows, etc. will give your photos a more interesting look. Photos taken at night without using a flash will look more natural.
There are two main areas of night photography - these are night portrait And street photography. The main task of a night portrait is staging. This is how we gain control over the movement of the object. In street photography, we will not have control and here it is better to use shutter priority to avoid unnecessary blur. Let's look at several ways to photograph at night.
How to photograph a portrait at night.
So, to shoot a night portrait we will need a tripod and a cable release or any other device for remote synchronization. They will help you avoid unwanted camera movements when shooting with long exposures. Assuming you have everything you need, you can start shooting in low light.
The main condition when shooting with long exposures is a firmly mounted camera on a tripod and a cable release or shutter timer. This will eliminate camera movement that causes blur in your photos. In these shooting conditions, you can use any lens and shoot at very low ISOs.
Night paparazzi
Street photography at night is a very difficult task for a photographer, because... you cannot control the movement of an object. Therefore, you must shoot with a high shutter speed in order to stop the movement. This requires high sensitivity and a fast lens. Sensitivity in the camera is adjusted using ISO and the higher its value, the less light and time required for the correct exposure of the photo. At high ISO values, noise increases and photo quality deteriorates.
Fast lenses are lenses with an aperture equal to F1.4 - 1.8. The wider we open the aperture, the more light passes through the shutter when shooting. To shoot a person in low light in a resting position, for example, if he is standing, then you will need a shutter speed of about 1/15, for a person who is moving already 1/60, for a walking person somewhere around 1/125, but make freeze the moment while filming a running man - 1/500.
Measurement
Manual or semi-automatic modes set on the camera will produce better results than automatic mode when shooting at night.
When shooting at night, you may end up with a lot of dark areas in the photo, which is not at all interesting to us. To avoid this, try manually adjusting the shutter speed and aperture; you can also use spot metering, which will give a more accurate result and help you understand how to shoot in the dark. In general, when shooting at night, there is no “right” or “wrong” exposure. Each photo will have its own individual settings, depending on the goals you are pursuing.
Creative blur at night
Blurring occurs when an object moves. Most often we try to avoid this, but sometimes, on the contrary, you need to leave this moment in order to “revive” your photo.
Paint with light
Light drawing or light painting is used as a complement to existing techniques. To do this, you usually take a small flashlight and shine the light on the subject.
White Balance (WB)
The main type of lighting at night is conventional incandescent lamps, which produce warm yellow tones. Green color will be produced by fluorescent lamps. For some photos, colored light will be part of the mood and won't need to be edited. But often such light spoils the image, then it is necessary to correct the white balance. For night photography, it is best to use the RAW image format. In this format it is easy to correct BB without losing image quality.
Knowing how to control available light sources in night shooting conditions is key to getting great images. It's not easy, but with practice comes skill. Learn to overcome these challenges and you will find success in night photography.
The day came when a newbie photographer was approached by a man who wanted to book his own photo shoot. The question immediately arises: how to professionally and efficiently implement the received order? And in fact - how? If many articles, manuals and books have been written about taking a female portrait, then the male portrait is discussed occasionally and in passing.
Theoretically, it would seem that photographing a man should be done in the same way as photographing a girl. But in practice it turns out to be much more complicated. If in most cases girls behave relaxed and open up to the photographer in the first minutes of a photo shoot, then men, if they are not professional models, act tense and constrained for most of the shoot.
It so happens that in the photo album of the average woman we can see more than a thousand photographs: amateur and professional, made in various genres and styles, while a man has only a hundred or two, which include kindergarten, school, college, and army , wedding and document photos. And it’s not that men don’t like to be photographed, that’s absolutely not true! Often they simply do not see the point in engaging in such “girlish nonsense”, or, to put it simply, they are simply embarrassed to turn to a professional photographer. But, nevertheless, many men want to look beautiful, courageous and brutal in photographs. And if you are a beginner photographer, then in this article we will look at the basic nuances and rules of shooting a male portrait.
Psychological features of a male portrait
Photographer, remember: a man will never admit that he is camera shy! He will be silent in concentration and pretend to be very serious, or, on the contrary, he will chat incessantly, playing the role of a cheeky guy. Therefore, the main task of the photographer at the very beginning of the shooting is the complete psychological and physical liberation of the model, removing the bodily pressure and bringing the person to natural emotions.
One of the key features that distinguishes a male photo shoot from a female one is that girls will spend a very long time selecting ideas for each photo, running up to the mirror ten times to straighten their hair and rehearse a pose for shooting, while guys for the most part act according to on a whim and without preparation.
Here are some tips on how to find a psychological approach to the male sex:
The photographer must quickly respond to the initiative of his model and the change of his images. Talk less, work more!
Speak and act clearly, clearly and understandably. Stay focused and catch interesting moments!
The man expects the photographer to provide a detailed explanation of the entire shooting process; describe to him briefly why he needs to take a particular pose, when it is better to smile, and when to remain serious; what do you use this or that lens or softbox for.
If women like some mystery and intrigue in everything, then men prefer openness, clarity and brevity.
Learn to find an approach to each model, to each customer, and then you will certainly succeed!
Choosing a style for a men's photo shoot
It’s worth discussing in advance with the man what he expects from the photo shoot, what kind of photos he wants to get in the end. If he hasn't decided yet, offer him several options for shooting.
For example, a studio photo shoot, outdoor photography, black and white photography in a simple style, photographs on a roof or in an abandoned building, on bridges, in a park, in an office, in a gym, in a workshop, photos in your favorite car or in a garage, shooting combat arts, horse riding, fishing - the flight of imagination is limitless!
Props for a men's photo shoot include a cigar, a pipe, a mouthpiece, all kinds of hats, weapons, suspenders, various ties, leather clothing and furniture, a guitar, a glass of strong alcohol or a cup of coffee, a cane, an umbrella, a book, glasses - the choice is huge!
The background texture must be rough: concrete, brick, wood, graffiti, stone, metal, etc. The main thing is no flowers or butterflies! Remember, a man has an aggressive nature, he is a hunter and a getter, be sure to emphasize this in the frame, and be sure that the customer will turn to you next time!
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Manifestation of a man's individuality in a photograph
A successful man always stands out with confidence in his abilities and individual charm, which constantly attracts the interest of the fair sex. For this reason, the goal of a high-quality photographer is to masterfully convey this uniquely masculine characteristic through successful angles, settings, and lighting.
Ask your model not to shave for several days until the effect of slight stubble appears; wrinkles and scars on the model’s face will be an additional advantage and will give greater brutality.
Most men like photographs to focus attention on their belonging to the stronger sex. For a male portrait, the younger generation prefers to expose their muscles, while the older sex gives preference to the most formal, official type: in classic or sportswear.
Many customers definitely want to shoot in an open space in order to highlight their own independence and self-reliance.
Photos of representatives of the stronger sex must be “male”, i.e. there is no place for grace in the poses; on the contrary, a certain audacity in body movements should be visible, no soft lines or bends.
Plain, dull clothes are preferred. For example, jeans, trousers, T-shirt, tank top or polo shirt.
It is better to turn a photo session for men into pleasure, relaxation, and entertainment. Make a stylish shoot, capture a confident and brutal image, let a man try himself in the role of a romantic or a hooligan - all this is possible with the right attitude and careful preparation.
Thanks to professional photography, a man has a unique opportunity to choose the most inspiring shots from a series of high-quality non-standard photographs.
Basic photography poses
Sometimes it can be quite difficult to find suitable poses for a photo shoot, especially if an impatient representative of the stronger half of humanity is in front of the camera.
An excellent option would be to show the man a list of poses for shooting so that he can imagine what will be required of him. Thanks to this, he will gain calm and confidence, will be able to get rid of stiffness, and the photographs will come out relaxed and exciting.
The following are the basic poses for shooting that will allow any man to appear more advantageous and successful in the photo:
When setting the pose, it is advisable to transfer the bulk of the body weight to one leg or to both legs at the same time.
To emphasize broad shoulders and muscles, the person being photographed should turn their shoulders towards the lens, and, on the contrary, their hips should be slightly turned away from the camera.
The easiest way to pose for a portrait is with your upper body with your arms crossed and your shoulders slightly back.
Crossed arms look great when shooting full body. In this case, it is desirable that the man put one foot in front of the other.
- Throwing a jacket or other outerwear over your shoulder, hooking your finger into a pocket, and crossing your legs can create a great shot.
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- As a rule, the model's gaze is directed in the same direction in which his face is directed.
Particular attention is paid to posture, regardless of whether the model is sitting or standing. A man must keep his back straight to look good in photographs.
The classic pose in which a man sits with his legs crossed and his body slightly leaned forward.
Full-length photographs are excellent, where a man leans his back or side against a wall or tree. Alternatively, the model can bend one leg at the knee or cross both legs, then the photo will turn out to be more relaxed.
- Photographs in nature where a man simply sits or reclines on the ground are very interesting and direct. You can lean on your elbow and bend one leg at the knee. Or even lie on your back and put your hands behind your head.
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- It's easy enough to pose for a business photo shoot. A man can sit comfortably in a chair, cross his legs and place them on the desktop, or lean his hip on the edge of the table, cross his legs, and place his arms on his chest with his elbows bent.
These poses can be used as starting points when shooting. But it is worth remembering that any pose can be adjusted depending on the circumstances of the shooting and the scenario.
Most men prefer photographs to emphasize their belonging to the stronger sex. For a male portrait, young guys like to show off their muscles, while older men often choose a more formal, businesslike look: in a shirt or suit. Some clients only want to be photographed outdoors to emphasize their freedom and independence.
If you have little experience in photographing the strong half of humanity, the best way to find your own set of poses for photo shoots is to cut out staged photographs from men's clothing catalogs or magazines for men, or look and analyze photos of guys on the Internet, for example, on the website photo-men.com .
As for the general rules, there are several subtleties that a photographer should take into account in order for a portrait to truly highlight masculine features.
1. A pose in which there are right angles and vertical or horizontal lines predominate over diagonal ones is considered masculine. Pay attention to the photo on the right. This position of the hands is typical for female posing, but the right angle in the bend of the guy’s hand makes the form strict, and the pose becomes masculine:
To emphasize broad shoulders and muscles, ask the model to turn her shoulders towards the camera, and, on the contrary, slightly turn her hips away from the lens.
2. When setting a pose, a man can shift his body weight either to one leg...
...or on both legs at once:
3. The classic position of the hands in a male portrait: a) the hands are folded into a fist at waist level, the thumbs are in the pockets.
b) arms crossed at chest level, hands on the elbows, thumbs tucked inward:
Another position for hands in pockets: the hand is hidden in the pocket, only the thumbs are outside:
It is not permissible to leave your arms simply hanging along your body. Also, a pose in which the arms are crossed below the waist does not look good.
4. If a man has raised one shoulder, his head should be slightly tilted towards the lowered shoulder. A pose in which the head is tilted towards the raised shoulder is considered feminine.
5. To make a difference in the perception of the face, you can ask the model to tilt her chin slightly.
6. In most cases, a man's eyes should look in the same direction as his face.
7. Pay attention to your eyebrows. If they are thick, have a special shape or color, then they need to be highlighted - they will emphasize the individuality of the model.
8. Regardless of whether the model is sitting or standing, you need to pay attention to posture. If a man forgets about his posture, you should gently remind him to keep his back straight.
9. If a man is going to wear a suit for a photo shoot, draw his attention to the fact that the clothes should not be completely new - it is advisable to wear them once or twice before the photo shoot so that the man feels comfortable.
More examples of photos:
In conclusion, I would like to say that some photographers like to break generally accepted rules. And this is what comes of it
Greetings to all photography lovers, young and old! Continuing my series of articles about studio photography, today I will tell you about a male portrait: what a “classic male portrait” is, what kind of lighting is used to make a portrait of a man interesting, and of course about the most interesting lighting schemes that allow even the least experienced the photographer (with due diligence) can get amazing results!
I will assume that each of you, dear readers, has some experience in photographing the male half of humanity - well, who hasn’t taken portraits of their friends, relatives, acquaintances? :) But does everyone know what a classic male portrait is and what it should be? When shooting such a portrait, it is important to convey the model’s masculinity, personality and gaze. You also need to be able to focus on the character, mood, relief of the man’s face and body. “Wow, so many problems with a man’s portrait!” - a newcomer will certainly be surprised. Don't panic, I assure you, everything is much simpler than you imagined.
The time has come to lift the veil of secrecy about creating a male portrait, because since you are reading this article, it means you also want to learn how to take photos that contain all the above elements - masculinity, individuality and everything else. So, use hard light and play with the contrast of light and shadow. That is, no two-meter octoboxes half a meter from a man’s face! (The closer the light source is to the subject, the softer the light-shadow pattern.) Just leave all this “fun” with soft light for female beauty portraits :)
Of course, as in other areas of photography, there are also exceptions in creating a male portrait. Because there are specific tasks when you can’t do without a soft box that generates soft light. And I will also definitely tell you about these exceptions to the rules - stay tuned for the release of fresh materials.
So, we create a male portrait in the studio, and use hard (drawing) light for this; for this, it is most logical to use special light-shaping attachments, here are the most popular of them:
- beauty dish
- reflector
- reflection umbrella
However, if you take an attachment that forms diffused light (a soft box, a white umbrella for illumination or an octobox) and move it along with the monoblock away from the model (sometimes two meters is enough, it all depends on the size of the source) - you will see that the softness The chiaroscuro changes towards harshness, and now we have sharply defined lines of light and shadow on the model’s face. This means that in order to create spectacular portraits with key light, you don’t have to limit yourself to just using reflectors or beauty dishes.
What lighting schemes are suitable for the task of creating a beautiful portrait of a man in the studio? I will give, in my opinion, the most interesting solutions in examples.
(ss)Daniel Zedda
how it's done:
Perhaps this is the most classic scheme. It is also called the “triangle”—note the characteristic triangle of light on the less lit side of the face.
Here the light source is a monoblock + a white umbrella for light, located about a meter from the model, the height of the monoblock is about two meters. This is an excellent example of how you can achieve a relief, interesting light and shadow pattern with one light source, and also organically highlight the white background behind the model. Because the source is close to the background, there is a nice natural vignette around the edges of the frame.
(cc) David Pichot
how it's done:
The light sources here are two monoblocks with reflectors, they are located on both sides of the model, at a distance of about two meters each. The height of the right pillar is at least two and a half meters, the light source on the left is much lower, approximately at a height of one and a half meters. The pulse of the reflector installed on the right is approximately one and a half to two times more powerful than the second one located on the left. Note! The model stands three-quarters in relation to the camera and thus both the left and right sides of the face and body are exposed.
(ss) Joshua Hoffman
how it's done:
There are two light sources here: monoblocks and white umbrellas for illumination. The first monoblock is located behind the camera, in front of the model, it creates moderately hard light. Moderately rigid due to its remote location from the model (at least two meters), with a stand height of about two and a half meters, it gives a very balanced pattern - the shadows are distinct, and there are no gaps in the shadows. The second light source is located behind the model and illuminates the dark background, adding volume to the photo and also serving as a backlight source, slightly highlighting the model’s silhouette.
(ss) studio.es
how it's done:
This scheme may seem a little complicated, but in fact everything is quite simple. Two light sources were used here - monoblocks equipped with reflectors. The first monoblock is located approximately three meters from the model to increase the rigidity of the light flux. The second monoblock illuminates the background and adds volume to the frame. The author also used black panels, placing them on both sides of the man - to further increase the contrast between light and shadow.
(ss) Daniel Zedda
how it's done:
The semi-shadow scheme (in which only one half of the face is always illuminated) is very popular among professional photographers. The author used only one light source - a monoblock paired with a white umbrella for illumination, placing the source to the left of the camera, at a distance of one and a half meters from the model, and raising the monoblock to a height of about 2.5 meters and turned towards the model. As a result, this source provides an overhead light with a moderately contrasting pattern on the model’s face + it illuminates the background with a pleasant light spot, separating the man from the background. Note! Dark clothing and a dark background enhance contrast and focus the viewer’s attention on the main thing - the look, the texture of the skin and clothing, and emotions. By the way, an attentive reader will most likely notice that this lighting scheme is similar to the first one, but there are also differences. Here the light source is located much higher and to the left, which is why the results in the examples are so different.
As you can see, to create a male portrait, it is first of all important to create the right lighting. The above examples, as you understand, are only a small part of all kinds of techniques and ways to capture a man in a photograph as he is - strong, courageous, charismatic, enthusiastic, etc. And looking at these photos, it becomes obvious that even with just one light source in your arsenal, you can achieve very impressive results!
Portrait of a man– one of the most difficult photography techniques. Her task, in addition to the external appearance of the model, is to convey the inner world as best as possible. Let's look at the basic techniques for photographing a male portrait. I also recommend watching a lesson that gives recommendations on portrait photography and the main points for this type of shooting.
1. Contrasting light. The nature of the lighting creates the mood for the entire photographic portrait. To emphasize the strength and masculinity of the person being portrayed, it is recommended to use hard highlighting light. However, a contrasting lighting solution should not eat up the texture in either the dark or light parts of the image.
2. Textured sharpness. A male portrait does not tolerate blurring the background and smoothing the facial skin - these techniques make the image more attractive and soft. Clear elaboration of all the smallest details, even stubble, wrinkles, gray hair - will add brutality to the male portrait, captivating with its honesty. Although the presence of some features, such as a large belly or a skin defect, can be hidden by changing the shooting point or with computer retouching.
3. Cool tones. The color scheme should be in harmony with the intended image. If the filming background does not carry a semantic load, then it is better to use a plain surface, without bright, distracting accents.
4. Shooting point at eye level or below. The top shooting point is preferable for female portraits, when it is necessary to emphasize weakness and humility, as well as hide some of the facial wrinkles. For the visual perception of the stronger half of humanity, shooting from above adds comedy and awkwardness.
5. Status accessories. As additional props, use expensive men's jewelry (watches, rings), or work tools, weapons. You can use cars, office cabinets, beautiful bookcases in the shooting. You can think of a men's themed photo shoot that will play up the image of a cowboy, pirate, sailor, etc.
6. Asymmetrical shoulder position. To give the portrait interesting dynamism and compositional expressiveness, try changing the tilt of the head or the position of the shoulders. But you shouldn’t place one shoulder closer to the lens and the other farther away - this can distort the perspective of the portrait.
7. Black and white solution. For masculine portraits, black and white format is very suitable. Monochrome photographs often look more solid, serious and stylish. But, with this approach, the composition of the frame should be flawless, not a single extra point should be present in the frame. An interesting solution would be to take a color portrait using the “Dark Key” artistic technique, when the photo frame is slightly underexposed.
