Posing tutorials

By firecat70. 30/09/08, 02:06 pm

I am on a mission to try improve my posing. I came across some tutorials that I thought were interesting, so I thought I'd share.
http://www.jiajem.com/glorify.html Learn how to pose - Old Hollywood style!
http://www.jiajem.com/conpose.html Posing at conventions
http://neil.creek.name/blog/2008/09/18/cosplayers-how-to-help-photographers-get-the-best-pics-of-you/ How to help photographers get the best pictures of you

Scanned images from a Japanese cosplay magazine
https://2img.net/h/i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/reiss/1210132484707.jpg
https://2img.net/h/i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/reiss/1210132325326.jpg
https://2img.net/h/i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/reiss/1210132289524.jpg
https://2img.net/h/i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/reiss/1210132240829.jpg
https://2img.net/h/i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/reiss/1210132195471.jpg
https://2img.net/h/i5.photobucket.com/albums/y165/reiss/1210132171715.jpg

The general thing I've noticed is people recommend posing in front on mirrors/taking photos to see what poses look best.

What do you recommend?

By Rikki-Leigh. 30/09/08, 02:10 pm

If you want ideas for poses, look through pictures or footage of the character you are cosplaying or through those of characters/people who have similar personalities.

Looking through other cosplayers poses can help for inspiration

By Static. 30/09/08, 02:16 pm

The mirror is your friend - also, take test shots to work out what looks like what from what angle. Mirrors are great, but it's amazing how little things make a big difference - like tilting your head up can get rid of chinflab, and twisting your torso can make your tummy look flatter. And ALWAYS remember posture! Don't freakin slouch! It looks HORRIBLE. Unless your character slouches, then it's okay.

By Rikki-Leigh. 30/09/08, 02:19 pm

Just another thought: Choose a pose you can hold comfortably for at least 5 seconds without moving a lot. Can't stand on one leg for long enough? Modify the pose slightly or practice your balance.

By firecat70. 30/09/08, 05:39 pm

Hmm, that's a good idea Rikki. I have awful balance. I can see myself now trying to pull off some hardcore pose and falling flat on my face.

By Rikki-Leigh. 30/09/08, 05:50 pm

xDD No problem ^^

I'm working on improving my balance for when I cosplay one of my OCs, Radar. She's a kick boxer who mixes her kicks up a little, so they are really hard to hold for long amounts of time.

Also, if you know you are going to be posing with heavy props, work on building upper body strength, arm balance (try holder your arms straight out and as still as possible for as long as you can) or develop poses where the weight of the prop is resting on something rather than just relying on your arm strength (this can include the ground and walls as well as parts of your body. Holding something up? Rest it on your shoulder. In front of you? Try resting it on your knee.)

Something else to do is experiment with levels. No one likes seeing shoots where the only thing changed is arm placement. Try crouching, lying, sitting, tip-toing, jumping, anything really.

One more thing, try to do something with everything. If you have a prop, emphasize it, but make sure to do something else interesting with your body.

This photo is a close-up and requires a lot more thinking. For close-ups, think of the little things. Where are your eyes pointing? What emotions do you want to portray? What do you want the viewers of this photo to think and how can you make them think it? (I love this photo because you can easily tell Tsuna is worried by Ryohei, who doesn't want Kyoko to do anything, while Kyoko expects this sort of thing and doesn't really worry.)

This is my personal favorite of this photographers photos (not just because two of my friends are in it). It's easy to see that all four of the models are making use of their entire bodies. Experiment with angles and making use of every part of your body. I, personally, love photos which I can scan over millions of times and notice something different. (For example, I just recently noticed that Cassie looks like she's about to fall out of the window, and that Jenny is the only one standing on her toes.)

Edit:
Shi-. That turned out longer than expected

By Suixelo. 01/10/08, 01:24 pm

One thing to remember; as a cosplayer you are a model. I have modelling experience so I'm okay with girl characters, but I have real trouble with guy poses XD
As one person pointed out, my Roxas looks way too girly haha.

Ummm one thing I've seen, and I'm picky about, is not to attempt things you yourself cannot do. *glares at Princess Tutu cosplayers*
Same goes for many things other than Pointe work, you can get injured very easily if you don't know what you're doing.

By **Duckeh**. 01/10/08, 01:29 pm

Suixelo wrote:: I have modelling experience

DETAILS. NAO. 8D

Also, heh... I fail at posing. :333

By Suixelo. 01/10/08, 01:41 pm

lmao no. XD;;
I have a portfolio, and I'm with an agent and that's all I'm saying haha.

By **Duckeh**. 01/10/08, 01:41 pm

Suixelo wrote:: lmao no. XD;;
I have a portfolio, and I'm with an agent and that's all I'm saying haha.

8DDDDD
PR0N?

By Suixelo. 01/10/08, 01:45 pm

WHUT NO!

By **Duckeh**. 01/10/08, 02:35 pm

LIEZ~
Anyway... YUHR, NEEDA PRACTICE POSING. 8D

By Kelchup. 04/10/08, 12:44 pm

Suixelo wrote:: *glares at Princess Tutu cosplayers*

Waily waily I like Princess Tutu emo~

By Suixelo. 04/10/08, 12:55 pm

I love Princess Tutu! That is exactly why I hate the majority of PT cosplayers, they try to go en pointe without training... Not good. I'm a trained dancer, so I know how bad it really is for you if you don't know what you're doing.

It makes me so mad that they think they can just go and do it >>

By **Tamoo**. 04/10/08, 01:06 pm

LOL MODEL ♥

Edit: Strange. Half my post disappeared D:

By Grassangel. 16/05/09, 06:32 pm

Suixelo: Even though I've never done any type of dancing and I still go "D: I HOPE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING" whenever I see someone in a costume trying to do pointe work. Are tiptoes/demi-pointe not good enough or something?
In fact, one of the best PT shots I've seen was when they were doing positions and their feet were flat on the floor.

Also, posing without props/an appropriate action pose/someone from the same series with who you can pose WITH strikes fear in me.

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