Jackinthebox Loc: travel the world

I was thinking that this is ridiculous but you put some sense into it. Thanks, PrairieSeasons, for showing the 3 shots that explain it so well.

georgeretired Loc: Manitoba Canada

Thanks everyone for their comments. AS the family said to me when I was asked to help and take some pictures, "seems to be the only time all the family gather in one place is at a wedding for funeral". The idea of gathering everyone at the reception after the funeral service was finally changed to having shots at the cemetery only as some American family were caught up in some bad winter weather and could not attend.
Cemetery shots went well as can be expected in -22C/-11F weather and a good wind to boot. Cemetery was a rural location situated on the flat prairie with a spattering of trees and a utility shed with no real protection from the wind. I was able to get some good shots of the piper leading the procession of family and friends over the cold snow cover ground. I had to smile when looking at the people attending in that you couldn't tell how heavy or thin people were as they we all decked out in parkas etc. People formed a tight semi circle around the grave making everyone appear to be a wall of coats and to break the cold wind blowing at the priest. Managed to take 50 shots with a canon 50D and a canon 24-70 lens. My normal outer wear in the winter it a large top coat big enough to carry two lens on my web belt and to sneak the camera under my coat while waiting for another shot.
Thanks again to all that read this post.

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I got a little lucky on a high school reunion shot, with a very large but wonderful lady. I positioned the class on a spiral staircase, shot in vertices, with only the head of the large one in the lower right corner. The balance of the class a ending upward and around to the left. Fortunately I had enough light to get the shot.
So we had a larger head lower right without the body.
Hope this helps

Bear2 Loc: Southeast,, MI

I got a little lucky on a high school reunion shot, with a very large but wonderful lady. I positioned the class on a spiral staircase, shot in vertices, with only the head of the large one in the lower right corner. The balance of the class asending upward and around to the left. Fortunately I had enough light to get the shot.
So we had a larger head lower right without the body.
Hope this helps

ediesaul

I have a suggestion that may not sit well with other Hoggers, but perhaps you may ask if the following would be ok. I have done this with some photos of my friends.

I would pp some of her body outline from the photo to slim her down. I have done this even with sagging chins.

I use Elements 13 and it has a "slim" effect, which I don't like because it seems to elongate everyone in a group photo, not just the person selected.

So, I enlarge the photo and either delete some of the body or clone from whatever is nearest.

I'm not saying take off 100 lbs., but I think you can make her happier.

skidooman Loc: Minnesota

:thumbup: :thumbup: You are right, making a joke about it wasn't going to help. Thanks.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Important!

If you use a bench make sure she is in the middle or over one of the supports.

cmc65

I'm smiling at this post because years ago when I first learned a little about photoshop I ALWAYS ran pictures of my parents through a little 'de-wrinkle' session before I showed them their pictures or made a copy for them. My brother in law is a professional photographer so he was a little surprised when they mentioned how much better my photos were from holiday gatherings than his (they were both a little vain)!!Of course they didn't know and luckily my brother in law thought it was funny when I told him the truth.Good thing for me he can keep a secret.

ligneus

I find it best to position them behind the camera.

Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM

Set up a chair in the middle for her to sit in.

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Photocraig

There are plenty of people who are NOT photogenic for a boat load of reasons. Kodacolor, for years, made olive skinned beauties look like green monsters. I changed to shooting Fuji and Agfa Portraits and they LOVED me.

But I got them to pose and take (minimal direction) by taking it on the chin for ALL of Photography. "Now, I've got some ideas to help us get the best results." Hopefully she'll be wearing Black or a dark solid color. The simple "point the toe, bend the knee and twist "slightly--Just a 'Little' more jest a smidge..." And "chin down just a touch, there ya go, beautiful." Make it just a code between you tow. Don't say Barbara, turn. Just say toe, knee chin twist. With your digital review she'll see how it works in private while you're setting expectations. Rehearsal, what a concept! Maybe do it for Mom cautiously could help. We're making pictures to remember this last moment ffor Mom or something equally Unctious.

You delivered before. You are her friend forever (beyond other connections). Now go make everybody look good on this sad day. You're a photographer and money or not that you JOB!

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

I have shot a few funerals and what I have found is this is a very emotional time and using a 70-200 has worked good to capture all the emotion of the loved ones who have come to grieve. If you capture the pain of your sons partner grieving the loss of their loved one no body is going to be looking at the pose. I know this doesn't answer your question but I find there are not very many posed shots.

anotherview Loc: California

I learned a while back that when doing posed shots, the photographer has to take charge and issue instructions to the subject(s) for best results.

Tell the subjects here straight out in a strong voice and manner that you will pose them for making them look good. People want to look good in a photograph, and they will follow your instructions, believe me.

The obese lady evidently likes attention. In the past, she may've noticed due to her short stature that others taller hide her in the picture, so now she positions herself in front of the group, where viewers will see her for sure. Tell her you will pose her in front but to one side to balance the picture. This instruction may or may not work.

Good luck.