Badgertale Loc: Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

I suggest seeking inspiration from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siFmCDmSU0M

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

Mostly true, but for real portrait work it’s a combination of relaxing them while instructing. I’m usually not a fan of having my photo taken, but my one photographer always gets shots I like. Yes, I’m relaxed and comfortable with her, but her frequent “chin out and down” reminder plays a part.

Ioannis

Several years ago I used to work as a photographer for a time share company, my job was to photograph new buyers and give them printed photos for them to take home and show them to friends and family. We used one of the very first digital camera and printer ( I have posted an article about this equipment) several years ago. In order to have the best candid results I had to use facial expressions and language to have people relax at front of me and the camera. To your question I have to say both ways can be successful with patience.

JZA B1

For myself. Not a pro. Don't do this for a living.

JZA B1

Do you think it's more about photographer being able to direct the subjects or the subject's modeling skills? (Assuming models are just regular people with no modeling experience.)

User ID

Acoarst they look forced if youve been posing them. Possibly somewhat too much "practice and study" ? I dont "pose" people. I just work with them so they pose themselves. You cant arrange a person as if youre arranging a still life ... unless you want a deadly still look.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

Then read a few magazines, books, etc. and then get out there and shoot! You are the ultimate arbiter of the quality of your artwork!!

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Both candid and posed images of PEOPLE can be well crafted, effective in content, and "natural" in appearance IF you know how to do these things.

If you are an event, wedding, or press photograher(photojournalist) you have to observe people. anticipate action, watch for various expressions, and shoot quickly in spontaneous situations.

If you are a portrait or fashion photograher or a shootg under controlled conditions you must be able to pose your subject or at least direct them effectively. If you are not dealing with experienced professional models or actors, you have to be able to direct folks to pose whereby they look natural and that can be quite a science and art form especially if you are trying to create a faltering interpretation of your subject. This has to do with emphasizing or de-emphasizing any aspect of a subject's face or body. It also has to do with avoiding distortion and creating leading lines. I can write dozens of pages about all the techniques. Just as an example, in a simple head and shoulders portrait or so-called headshot the position of the subject as to how they are seated or standing canbe critical. It might be difficult to believe but a good, natural, headshot portats stars with the position of the feet and legs regardless of the fact these limbs do not show in the image- it is a matter of body mechanics. Another little-known item is that a person can hold a pose longer and appear more comfortable and natural if they are in a good posture, that is, they are sitting or standing up straight with the spine at full extension. The more a person you show like in a full-length portat or including the heads and arms, etc., the more technicalities of the pose, you have to address. And... you have to pose or direct folks in such a way that they don't feel uncomfortable, awkward, or being put in a position that only a contortionist could assume. This all can be more critical in a group portrait weh you are working to get everyone positioned naturally and flattering manner with their positions relating to each other.

A good people photograher knows how to make effective and story-telling candid images and formal portat that look "candid' in pose, expression and statement.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Posing does present several problems such as optimal lighting. I do most of my photo as candid. Granted they won’t be magazine quality but I will remember the person as they were.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

[quote=rwoodvira]

I used to be able to sit like that in a chair when I had legs that bent the correct way

b top gun

I get around the dilemma by keeping people out of my photography, with one exception, our one and only grandchild.

b top gun

I do not aviate 4 to 6 hours one way to photograph people. I get away to get away from people. I've worked retail for the past 15+ years and have had my fill of interacting with people. Photography is my preferred way to decompress at my age; I am a baby boomer.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I’d say the opposite is true. With posed portraits you have more control of the light.

User ID

Candid pix too often look unnatural cuz we do not normally or naturally see time and motion oddly frozen still. Therefor, posed pix can look *more* natural than candids when the subject is comfortable in their situation.

The main contribution of photographic skills toward posed pix is in the practitioners easy, efficient, confident manner. If you fuss with stuff the subject will not feel totally at ease.

IOW portrait posing is a partnership between parties on both ends of the lens. The subject should not play a passive role.

scallihan Loc: Tigard, OR

In the few weddings and birthdays my husband and I shot upon request, we found that posed brought better results. Candids resulted in people with mouths open while eating, messy tables, blinking eyes, loopy smiles, etc. Posed subjects can still appear to be having fun if you can get their attention and have them make a toast or something.