Poses - Body language

I will be using a program named Blender to look at how I can pose my models. I will also analyse the effect of body language in each pose.

This program allows me to create 3D models and pose them. It's quite difficult to get to grips with - as 3D modelling itself is incredibly difficult - however this program has a better user interface than most I've used and is free, which is amazing considering the freedom that it gives.

I will also be using a tool called MakeHuman, which aids the user by creating and rigging the 3D models that they can make within the application. 

By using this, I will be able to interact with the skeleton of a human model and pose them. This allows me to look at how individual joints must bend in order to get a model into the pose - which will help me when I'm instructing my models how I want them to pose. It will also give me a lot of visual representation even if there are not online images available or videos containing the movements that I need. 

Head:

Here are the ways that the head can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.  

• If the head is held up so that it is at eye level to the reader, this communicates neutrality. In conversation, this would show that the other person is listening to what you have to say. Therefore, having my model do this would create a feeling of intimacy with my model and the potential buyer.

• If the models head is tilted upwards, this is a pose of superiority. It shows that my model is someone important. It can also show defiance, portraying my model as quite rebellious. The differentiation between higher up person of authority and rebel depends on the mise en scène and the tone.
• If my models head were tilted over to one side, this is considered non-threatening and can even be seen as submissive or docile. It can also be associated with someone deep in thought - someone intelligent. 
• If my models head is titled downwards, this has connotations of sadness. This can be very dramatic - and therefore very interesting - however, this can also have connotations of disapproval and disinterest which should be avoided. 
• Multiple models with heads towards each other shows friendliness and playfulness. It shows a bond within that group of people - like genuine friendship. It can also seem intimate - as if the reader is getting a chance to look into the lives of a group.

Arms:

Here are the ways that the arms can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Crossed arms show closed off body language and they act as a barrier between the subject and the readers. If done right, this can create a feel as mysteriousness - however, if done wrong, the results can range from the model looking bored and uninterested to the model looking very unapproachable and quite rude.
• The same goes for holding a prop in front of the body. Women especially tend to clutch bags in front of them when they are feeling nervous, hostile, or are in a situation that they don't want to be in - this should be avoided. 
• Arms across the body shows shyness and insecurity, which can be endearing. It can seem young and playful and very innocent on female models or on teen/child models.
• Arms loosely by a models side shows them as open, relaxed and very casual. 
• Having the model interact with props can show them as being very fun - the exact meaning depends on the prop in question. 
• Having the models interact with each other, again, shows friendliness and playfulness. It shows a bond within that group of people - like genuine friendship. It can also seem intimate - as if the reader is getting a chance to look into the lives of a group.
• Hands on hips shows confidence and dominance in one of the most obvious and emphasized ways possible. 

Legs:

Here are the ways that the legs can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Legs splayed and apart from each other can show dominance and superiority If the person is 'standing at attention' like a solider would do then this can be seen as respectful. However, depending on the stance, it can also come across as quite aggressive.
• Legs crossed with one in front of the other can seem shy or docile - endearing in the same way that arms across the body may be. This is also typically a feminine post that emphasis girlishness. This may act as a barrier much like crossed arms if the rest of the body language is not open. 
• Having a model on their tiptoes can seem childish, naive, and innocent. It makes a model seem younger. It's a quite fun and lively way of posing.
• Putting one foot forward can show confidence and leadership - useful if there is one leader within the group and this needs to be clear.
• The direction that the feet point, much like the eyes and the direction of the head, shows us the subjects interest. The subjects body should be pointed towards whatever they are interacting with or towards the camera to show engagement with the audience. 

Crouching or sitting:

Here are the ways that a sat down model can be posed and what this communicates in regards to body language.

• Crouching is a very casual stance. It's relaxed. It also shows a very down to earth person as it conveys no superiority at all. Having such a casual stance can put the model and the reader on the same level and humanize a celebrity. 
• Having a model sitting down can convey a lot of different things. If the model is sitting on the floor, this is also very casual. 
• Sitting crossed legged can seem closed off, in the same way that folded arms can. This pose also have connotations of youth.
• Sitting on a chair with wide open legs can seem arrogant and superior. It's also quite relaxed - like a person at home. 
• Sitting on a chair with legs crossed is more feminine and emphasizes femininity. It can also look quite professional. 

Turning:

Here are the ways a model can be turned and what that communicates in regards to body language. 

• If the models full body is turned towards the camera then this shows very open body language and full engagement with the reader,
• If the model is very slightly facing one way or the other, this can be used to emphasize attractiveness.
• If the model is faced one way and looking at the camera over their shoulder, this goes well with the invitational facial expression. It can be quite alluring and inviting.
• If the model has their back turned and is looking over their shoulder, this gives them an air of mysteriousness and aloofness , which can be intriguing to a reader.
• If the model is turned away from the camera and is not looking at it then this sacrifices engagement to the audience but shows investment in whatever they are looking at. If they're turned towards another model, for example, then this shows that they are engaged in friendship and that relationships are important to them.

Beneath is a prezi that looks at the poses that my competition use on their front covers. This was done just to help me understand why certain poses were used. There is no running theme with my competition so I will use a pose that suits tone and suits my models.

                              

This has helped me to understand poses and choose how I will pose my models in my final product. I have ideas on how I will do it and I will make a follow up post detailing.