The Look
Utilizing a simple wooden stool, this pose elevates traditional portraiture into a look that’s both provocative and enticing. The essence of this look is to accentuate the bust, transforming what could be a demure pose into something irresistibly appealing. In essence, this look whispers, “I bet you can’t resist.”
The Setup
Opt for a neutral gray or even a darker gray seamless paper as your backdrop. Position a stool so that one of its legs is angled toward the camera. The lighting is straightforward: a single light source set at the classic 45/45 portrait angle.
Posing
- Inform your subject that the focus of this pose is on accentuating the bust. The pose can be executed either topless or with a garment that allows for visible cleavage.
- Have your subject sit on the stool, positioning her legs at different levels to avoid a rigid, symmetrical look.
- Instruct her to lean back slightly, bringing her hands together to grasp the edge of the stool in front. This arm position will naturally push the breasts together.
- A slight forward lean can amplify the effect.
- Be mindful of unflattering creases in the abdominal area; if this happens, either instruct your subject to elongate her torso or crop the image to focus on the primary area of interest—the bust.
My Gear & Settings
- Flash unit modified with a 42” shoot-through umbrella
- 50mm lens
- f/4.0 aperture
- 1/250 shutter speed
- ISO 100
Post-Processing
Standard post-processing is generally sufficient for this look. However, you may choose to do some minor retouching to enhance specific areas.
Tips for Success
- Body Position: Ensure the subject’s torso is elongated to avoid unflattering creases.
- Focus: Keep the camera focus sharp on the bust area, as it’s the main point of interest in this pose. But do make sure the eyes are in focus, too. This can be accomplished by having the eyes and bust on the same plane of focus.
- Cropping: Don’t hesitate to crop the image to keep the viewer’s attention on the intended focal point.