While re-reading Heisler’s book I came across this line:

“I couldn't possibly have told him to stand the way he stood, he weight shifted just so, like an artist's model demonstrating contrapposto.” Heisler, G. (2013)

I liked the image so my interest was peaked, what was contrapposto was and how I could incorporate that into my posing repertoire.

Conrapposto is a posing style that is used in sculpture, one fo the best examples is Michelangelo’s David, conrapposto make the subject look more natural as if they are taking a step forward. (Khan Academy, 2019). I like the idea of placing my subject on the road or pathway to represent movement. So to further emphasis this I plan on using this technique to make them appear like they are in motion as well. I like that this will also be a metaphor for migration which is movement too.

I also found this great resource, CreativeLive (2019).

1. Creating separation- Move the subject’s arms and legs to allow for negative space, lines, and triangles around the body. Lines and spaces help the eye move around the frame. In addition to appearing slimmer, the model will look like he or she is in the middle of doing something instead of just standing still.

2. Tucking the arms in - Move the arms back far enough to hide the upper arm. This allows the elbows to cinch the waist a bit. This position makes the subject look whimsical, like they’re in a fairy tale.

3. Forcing the chin away from the neck - Lean the head back and push the neck out. This pose creates a straighter line under the neck and helps your subject look alert and purposeful.

4. Arching the back - Exaggerating an arched back defines the waist, creates negative space, and adds tension and implied motion.

5. Dropping the shoulders - Ask your model to take a deep breath and relax his or her shoulders. With the shoulders dropped, the neck is elongated. The pose looks elegant and encourages better posture.

6. Tilting the head back - Define the jawline and elongate the neck by tilting your subject’s head back so he or she is looking up. The viewer is left wondering what the subject is looking at, and the model looks engaged in the scene.

7. Pulling the arms back - Add tension, alertness, and implied motion to your images by asking your models to thrust their arms back behind them. This results in a more dynamic, storytelling pose.
   

   Another great resource for posing is this book:

   Valenzuela, R. 2014, Picture Perfect Posing: Practicing the Art of Posing for Photographers and Models, 1st edn, New Riders.

Citations

Academia.org (2019. Michelangelo’s David Available at: http://www.accademia.org/explore-museum/artworks/michelangelos-david/ [Accessed on: 1 Aug, 2019]

Heisler, G, 2013. 50 Portraits Stories and Techniques From A Photographer's Photographer. 1st ed. New York: Amphoto Books.

Khan Academy. (2019). What is contrapposto Dr. Steven Zucker and Dr. Beth Harris. Available at: https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/art-history-basics/tools-understanding-art/v/contrapposto [Accessed on: 1 Aug, 2019]

Tobin, R. 1975, "The Canon of Polykleitos", American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 79, no. 4, pp. 307-321. https://www-jstor-org.ezproxy.herts.ac.uk/stable/503064?pq-origsite=summon&seq=2#metadata_info_tab_contents

CreativeLive (2019) 10 Basic Posing Techniques for Fine Art Portraits. Available at:https://www.creativelive.com/blog/10-basic-posing-techniques-fine-art-portraits/ [Accessed on: 1 Aug, 2019]