The 1-3-2 Posing Technique

[Benji]

This technique is used mostly on younger females and will add that "extra touch" to your images to raise them above what the other guy is doing.* A brief description is in order however.

"The 1-3-2 posing technique is where the body is turned 45 degrees away from the camera and also away from the main light source (position # 1) then the face is turned back beyond the camera position additional 20 degrees or so (position # 3) then the eyes are brought back to the camera position (position # 2.)* The main light is always cross lighting the female form in this technique and will draw a pleasing short light pattern on the face."* This is rather wordy so I will attach several images to show the technique.* This technique can be used for head shots, waist up, 3/4 length or full length poses when seated or when standing and is usually used only on young females.

Benji

P.S. I demonstrate in detail this technique in my video. PM me for further information.

[Benji]

Another, this time a 3/4 length and outdoors.

Benji

[Benji]

Another, seated this time.

Benji

[captlen]

Is the mainlight aimed down the line of the shoulders as a general rule?
1 turn body away 45 degrees
2 turn head back +20
3 eyes to camera.

have I got this right?

[JDArt]

Lovely, just lovely. Thanks so much for this explanation and the examples. I'll try it out.

[Benji]

As you can see this technique places more whites of the eyes on one side which gives the image more panache. *Whenever you can move something off center, place something that we have two of at different levels or one above the other, lean the body, twist the torso or tilt the head you will find the image will have that little extra something, especially if you combine them all together into one image.

Benji

[JDArt]

Can you explain the fill lighting you use?

[Benji]

Originally Posted by JDArt

Can you explain the fill lighting you use?

JD,

I use a 62 inch umbrella about 12 feet in front of the subject and about six to eight feet above the floor (for standing poses and poses seated on a chair or stool.) The fill light should "follow the nose."

Benji

[Song4themoon]

Great examples, thanks

[JDArt]

Originally Posted by Benji

JD,

I use a 62 inch umbrella about 12 feet in front of the subject and about six to eight feet above the floor (for standing poses and poses seated on a chair or stool.) The fill light should "follow the nose."

Benji

What is your ratio of fill to key lighting? How far/close are you placing the fill?

[Winnie]

Thanks for the tip Benji

[Benji]

JD asked, "What is your ratio of fill to key lighting?" *Fill metered alone at F 6.3 the main alone at F 11. This is almost two stops. I've noticed if I go any more than two stops the image starts looking a little too contrasty for my liking in portraiture.

" How far/close are you placing the fill?" *About 12 feet from the edge of the umbrella to the tip if the subject's nose.

Benji

[shortyred]

Thanks this is the stuff I'm looking for. What if your on limited equipment can you still do this? I took some pictures for my first studio shoot there ruff but can you C&C for me? I hope its OK to ask?
http://www.photocamel.com/index.php/topic,14745.0.html

[Alter_ego]

I can understand the 1.2.3 technique Benji, but can you explain what you mean by the 1.3.2 pose.

[Benji]

Allcart,

The general name of the technique is 1-2-3. All of my examples show the 1-3-2. Look at my above image and study the position of the body in relation to the head and then the eyes in relation to the body and the head.

Benji

[rich426]

Can something like this even be attempted with just a speedlite? Seems like the really good portrait techniques come from off-camera lighting.

Thanks,
Rich

[Benji]

Rich,

Yes, I suppose it could if you went outdoors and found a spot that had good portrait ligfhting that only needed a fill flash to make it perfect portrait lighting!

Benji

[rich426]

Or a sunny window inside?

[Benji]

Cut and paste,"Or a sunny window inside?"

While sunshine CAN be used as a main light source, I suggest waiting until you've mastered using daylight as your main light, ("daylight" meaning the natural light streaming through a window (or outside) that is not sunshine.) When I use daylight I use a reflector to lighten up the shadows rather than a flash unit.

Benji

[rich426]

Oh, that's what I meant. 'Daylight'. Got a good snap of my niece using light coming through a window on her right as the main source, and bouncing my diffused flash off the ceiling for some fill.

When this scenario is not available... Can I turn the flash head around & back, bounce the flash off a piece of poster board, and still get a good result? (light on one side of the face, some slight shadow on the other)

I'm going to drive the wife nuts experimenting with her as my subject.

Thanks,
R