Hiding The Naughty Bits
Arwyn Bailey
Corporate Photographer & Videographer | Expert Storyteller | Specialist in Brand Promotion | Contact Me +44(0)2031957730 |
Most of us are uncomfortable when it comes to having our photographs taken. Furthermore we do not know what to do with our hands; how to stand or sit; jacket buttoned up or unbuttoned and so much more.
Maintaining the dignity of my clients is imperative. I am not in the business of embarrassing people. I want folk to enjoy the experience and be relaxed in front of the camera.
For men, ensuring that the "naughty bits" are in shadow when a client is seated makes for a far more flattering image.
As an example, in the image opposite my client I asked to rest his arms onto his knees, lean forward slightly and drop his hands to a position that felt comfortable.
This creates shadows into the "naughty bits" and effectively hides the area in shade.
Dignity and comfort to create a flattering image is important.
When I took this image of hip-hop star, Hatty Keane, in my studio a little while ago, I created a similar effect of dignity as a similar rule applies when shooting women.
In this outfit asking Hatty to cross her legs was difficult when seated on a bean bag. She may have been able to get into such a pose, but, her dignity will have been lost in front of me, the photographer.
What do I do? I picked up a prop, a guitar, and created this shot with a leading line of the neck of the instrument drawing the viewer up to Hatty's face. The neck and body of the guitar, maintain the dignity required.
There are many other tips that photographer's know of and use in their every day work. You can learn another small tip to emphasise the masculine nature of an image which you can learn of in this short video from Time Lord TV which can be found by clicking here.
Get posing!
Video Creation & Post Production Consultant, helping clients share memorable, compelling video stories that attract and retain clients because 'Seeing is Believing' - TakeoneTV.com
4 年Ah yes, the hands. We use them all the time unconsciously but when asked to consider them we tend to get all self-conscious. Some good stuff Arwyne, thank you. Of course on video, it's even worse as people tend to become a bit like demented windmills having their hands and arms everywhere, or get stuck as if stone. We ask people to watch reporters and presenters on the TV, there is a distinct 'BBC hands' style which when done well works comfortably, but it does take practice and often watching yourself in the mirror doing it may feel a bit strange, it does actually help a lot!