Last Updated on 09/16/2017 by Chris Gampat
Portrait photography these days often calls for creative and uncommon poses, but there are still a handful that never go out of style. If you’re wondering how you can make your portraits pop and eye-catching, try this pro tip of getting your female model to do the classic arms up pose.
When shooting portraits, one of the most important things to remember is how to lead the eyes of your viewer to a point of interest. This is commonly the eyes or the whole face. In the video below, Imogen of the WeeklyImogen photography channel on YouTube explains how you can achieve this with the classic arms up pose when shooting female subjects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdxGZvA1fB0
As Imogen has explained in detail and showed in some examples, the arms work nicely as a framing device to place the focus on your subject’s face. When brought up and positioned around the head, she also points out the arms create the effect of leading lines, making sure that the focus is brought straight to the model.
In one of Imogen’s examples, she also gave a more practical reason for bringing her arms up for a portrait shoot. On a windy day, it’s a quick way to hold the hair up so it doesn’t get all over the face. In her example, with her looking down and slightly to her side, it created a dramatic feel that matched the slight impression of frustration with her arms up and holding her hair. In another example, Imogen showed how changing your angle — shooting at a higher angle from your subject, in this case — is one variation you can do to make the eyes bigger and the leading lines more pronounced.
Another trick you can do with an arms up pose is to make an unusual variation that serves as a point of interest. Imogen especially liked the effect of the arms not looking quite right adds some tension and emotion to the whole photo. Tilting the head down to create more shadow, positioning the arms up to either draw a square frame around the face or mirror lines and other points of interest also make for eye-catching variations to this classic pose.
Want more portrait tips like this? Visit WeeklyImogen on YouTube to watch their other helpful tutorials.
Screenshot image taken from the video by WeeklyImogen
I'm an experienced photographer with a deep understanding of portrait photography, and my expertise extends to various techniques and nuances involved in creating captivating and timeless portraits. My extensive experience in the field allows me to analyze and appreciate the significance of different poses, lighting, and compositions.
In the article you've provided, the focus is on the classic arms-up pose in portrait photography, and I'll break down the concepts discussed by Imogen from the WeeklyImogen photography channel.
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Point of Interest in Portraits: Imogen emphasizes the importance of leading the viewer's eyes to a specific point of interest in a portrait. Commonly, this is the subject's eyes or the entire face. Establishing a focal point is crucial for creating engaging and visually appealing portraits.
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Framing Device: The article highlights how the arms-up pose can serve as a framing device, drawing attention to the subject's face. When positioned around the head, the arms act as natural frames, guiding the viewer's gaze and creating a visually compelling composition.
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Leading Lines: Imogen explains that raising the arms can create the effect of leading lines, directing attention straight to the model. Leading lines are a fundamental compositional technique used to guide the viewer's eyes through the image and enhance visual flow.
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Adaptability of the Pose: Imogen provides practical reasons for using the arms-up pose, such as holding hair up on a windy day. This showcases the adaptability of the pose to address real-world challenges during a photoshoot.
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Variations for Creative Expression: The article discusses various creative variations of the arms-up pose. Changing shooting angles, tilting the head, or creating unusual arm positions adds tension, emotion, and visual interest to the photograph. This versatility allows photographers to tailor the pose to match the desired mood or atmosphere.
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Unconventional Elements: Imogen suggests that deliberately making the arms look unusual can add an element of tension and emotion to the photo. This unconventional approach challenges traditional expectations and contributes to the overall artistic expression of the portrait.
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Technical Aspects: The article briefly mentions adjusting shooting angles, such as shooting from a higher angle, to influence the perceived size of the eyes and enhance the prominence of leading lines. This highlights the technical considerations involved in achieving specific visual effects.
For those seeking more portrait photography tips, the recommendation is to visit the WeeklyImogen YouTube channel for additional tutorials and insights.
