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Product Description
Product Description
Posing is one of the most difficult aspects for portrait photographers to learn. Doug Box presents an introduction to posing basics, showing the reader how to emphasise the best features of their sitter and create successful imagery. This essential volume, illustrated with Box's own stunning images will further the reader's photography skills and provide a lasting reference tool. Included are case-studies to provide a perfect visual reference that allows readers to quickly re-create a portriat look that suits their client's demands.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was very enthusiastic to finally find a book devoted to poses. It seems that while posing for paintings is extremely well covered, the same does not go for photography. Decent writer / photographers have yet to pen the definitive account of this key aspect of portraiture.
So to Doug Box, a middle-aged, middle-of-the-road cuddly beardie of a bloke. He makes technically good, safe portrait photography for middle America using a dozen or so tried and tested archetypes. Be careful though, before you know it he'll have your family dressed in identical outfits like some kind of multi-generational cloning project.
Doug's book comes in many chapters and is illustrated with more of his pictures than one would wish to see (they have aged badly). Yet the number of useful hints for achieving good poses is limited - you could reduce them to a handful of blog entries. He would have been better off giving some detailed lighting diagrams, focusing on a few really good portraits and describing the shoots in more detail. And also looking at some other photographers' work. For starters.
Some will say that there is a market for the kind of images that Box stages and I would agree. But it's yesterday's market. People don't see poses like these when they open magazines any more and, young people especially, will rarely want to be shown like this. Unless its on grandmama's mantelpiece.
If you're looking for a natural, modern or edgy look then using this book will be a waste of your time.
So to Doug Box, a middle-aged, middle-of-the-road cuddly beardie of a bloke. He makes technically good, safe portrait photography for middle America using a dozen or so tried and tested archetypes. Be careful though, before you know it he'll have your family dressed in identical outfits like some kind of multi-generational cloning project.
Doug's book comes in many chapters and is illustrated with more of his pictures than one would wish to see (they have aged badly). Yet the number of useful hints for achieving good poses is limited - you could reduce them to a handful of blog entries. He would have been better off giving some detailed lighting diagrams, focusing on a few really good portraits and describing the shoots in more detail. And also looking at some other photographers' work. For starters.
Some will say that there is a market for the kind of images that Box stages and I would agree. But it's yesterday's market. People don't see poses like these when they open magazines any more and, young people especially, will rarely want to be shown like this. Unless its on grandmama's mantelpiece.
If you're looking for a natural, modern or edgy look then using this book will be a waste of your time.
2 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Doug "thinking outside the" Box has produced a guide to posing in front of the camera, but could it be said to be a truly definitive measure of how you should stand, sit, squat or lean in front of the professional lens? The answer, happily, is yes.
Although the reflections on windows evident in some of his portraits imply a level of sexual deviancy, it's certainly not to an excessive degree, and seems relatively harmless compared to most photographers.
Some of the favoured poses featured in the posing pamphlet include:
"The Lampard"
Stoic, indignant, poised, heroic, enigmatic, solid; yet smug and hateful with terrible hair. This type of pose can often be seen by Argos models selling tennis equipment. If you can get hold of an ill-fitting yet massive tie, it screams "I'M A PROFESSIONAL AND I CAN AND WILL DO ANYTHING FOR THE PERFECT SNAP."
"The Macchio"
Reminiscent of a Karate Kid montage - the posee stand on one leg, with both arms raised at a 45 degree angle from the perpendicular. Ideal for silhouettes.
"The Gargoyle"
The posee stand on a lofty perch, glowering over the city with a look of pure scorn ingrained in the eyes, and with both hands contorted into talons. If the model has wings, they should be half unfurled - like they're about to swoop down and cause traffic chaos.
"The Never-Mind"
The most common pose known to man - Doug Box estimates that 94 percent of all photos featuring people feature this pose. Common features include a slightly hunched back yet with straight arms hanging down either side, a furrowed brow and unkempt hair, a slightly open mouth, and a pair of piercing red eyes that scream 'VAPIDITY' rather than anything resembling genuine evil.
Although the reflections on windows evident in some of his portraits imply a level of sexual deviancy, it's certainly not to an excessive degree, and seems relatively harmless compared to most photographers.
Some of the favoured poses featured in the posing pamphlet include:
"The Lampard"
Stoic, indignant, poised, heroic, enigmatic, solid; yet smug and hateful with terrible hair. This type of pose can often be seen by Argos models selling tennis equipment. If you can get hold of an ill-fitting yet massive tie, it screams "I'M A PROFESSIONAL AND I CAN AND WILL DO ANYTHING FOR THE PERFECT SNAP."
"The Macchio"
Reminiscent of a Karate Kid montage - the posee stand on one leg, with both arms raised at a 45 degree angle from the perpendicular. Ideal for silhouettes.
"The Gargoyle"
The posee stand on a lofty perch, glowering over the city with a look of pure scorn ingrained in the eyes, and with both hands contorted into talons. If the model has wings, they should be half unfurled - like they're about to swoop down and cause traffic chaos.
"The Never-Mind"
The most common pose known to man - Doug Box estimates that 94 percent of all photos featuring people feature this pose. Common features include a slightly hunched back yet with straight arms hanging down either side, a furrowed brow and unkempt hair, a slightly open mouth, and a pair of piercing red eyes that scream 'VAPIDITY' rather than anything resembling genuine evil.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
28 reviews
28 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Good Foundation for Posing
28 Sep 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book provides an easy to understand, practical foundation for posing. I agree with 95% of the author's opionions. However, some of his examples for posing men in this text are not much different than for women, and that's where I have some differences. But hey, there's no monopoloy on what's "correct" so that's OK. Generally speaking, I like men to have their forward shoulder lower than the rear shoulder which requires most to place weight on the front foot for 2/3 view and full face shots. In the author's opening example of the Posing Men chapter, he says, "Though this handsome subject had his weight on the wrong foot..." when I actually think this is the correct way to pose men.
His advice on posing hands is very good, and the depth with which he discusses hands is not found in many of the manuals out there.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good quick reference for posing people.
His advice on posing hands is very good, and the depth with which he discusses hands is not found in many of the manuals out there.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good quick reference for posing people.
72 of 83 people found the following review helpful
Above average photography book
29 Aug 2009
Format:Paperback
I bought this book because of the high ratings here.
What's good about it
I did learn a few things that would certainly help me capture flattering portraits (candid or otherwise). Most of the photos helped illustrate Doug's points.
What I didn't like about it
In my opinion, I didn't like how Doug refers to "other photographers." Yes, I know that some photographers don't take the time to learn the art and science of photography but I don't think the book is the right place to compare himself with other "other photographers." It's tiresome to hear someone say, "they do this and it's bad, I do this and it's good."
I understand that this book is written for experienced photographers who already know what gobos, lighting ratios are. Sadly, I'm not one of them. He could have added a glossary at the end of the book to describe them.
I feel that the last part which talked about 'hiding' imperfections was rushed. While he provided an photo example for double chins, he only described how to hide the square and narrow chins. I'm a visual person so it's very hard for me to imagine his descriptions.
Last words
I paid good money for this book and feel a little cheated. If it were half the price, then maybe the book deserves 4 stars. It's not that bad so I can't give it less than 3 stars. If you're lucky to find this in a library or a bookstore with a copy you can scan, please do so before buying it. Just an above average book that should be sold only at around $12 not $23.
What's good about it
I did learn a few things that would certainly help me capture flattering portraits (candid or otherwise). Most of the photos helped illustrate Doug's points.
What I didn't like about it
In my opinion, I didn't like how Doug refers to "other photographers." Yes, I know that some photographers don't take the time to learn the art and science of photography but I don't think the book is the right place to compare himself with other "other photographers." It's tiresome to hear someone say, "they do this and it's bad, I do this and it's good."
I understand that this book is written for experienced photographers who already know what gobos, lighting ratios are. Sadly, I'm not one of them. He could have added a glossary at the end of the book to describe them.
I feel that the last part which talked about 'hiding' imperfections was rushed. While he provided an photo example for double chins, he only described how to hide the square and narrow chins. I'm a visual person so it's very hard for me to imagine his descriptions.
Last words
I paid good money for this book and feel a little cheated. If it were half the price, then maybe the book deserves 4 stars. It's not that bad so I can't give it less than 3 stars. If you're lucky to find this in a library or a bookstore with a copy you can scan, please do so before buying it. Just an above average book that should be sold only at around $12 not $23.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Good read, helpful information
11 April 2009
Format:Paperback
This is a good book aimed at educating the reader on all aspects of posing. It begins with basic posing elements to develop a strong foundation. From that point, techniques are applied to specific situations which include men, women, children and groups. Optimizing portrait quality according to lighting and portrait length are covered as well. I felt the layout along with good illustrations made for an easy opportunity to learn from.
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