Rongnongno Loc: FL

Is that a joke?

No.

Hands are an important part of a portrait both by their presence or absence. This subject goes from the fig leaves to the hands in pocket or in the back...

Fig leave position is unsightly as it attracts the attention to the crotch area. So when you have a line of folks doing that.... Yuck!
The reverse of the fig leaves is the 'DOD rest position' (arms in the back). It is just as bad.
Both create a different problem: In the fig leave the shoulders are pointed forward and slumping and in the reverse the shoulders are also slumping and the shoulders pushed backward...

This is just a small observation... So imagine if I get into details...

Now, Why the title?

Many times I see portraits where the model has ugly arms due to the veins being visible. This is more pronounced with older folks (35 and above). This is simply due to the blood accumulating in the extremities. By asking a model to keep their hands up of above the heart you simply get rid of the issue. So... HANDS UP!

ejones0310 Loc: Tulsa, OK

I was in an organization that required a lot of public speaking, and what to do with your hands was a major topic of discussion. The fig leaf, reverse fig leaf and crossed arms were all discouraged because they draw the listeners attention to your hands, and in the case of the crossed arms says, "I'm not listening".

But, many people are uncomfortable with what to do with their hands, so you have to help them out if you are shooting their photo.

Good thought provoking topic. Thanks for sharing.

JD750 Loc: SoCal