Replicate an identical pose on a later shoot?

[veaghead]

Good afternoon! Amidst working on a special photography project, I need to take photos of myself, (not as narcissistic as it sounds) on more than one occasion in the exact same pose. I am having a hard time determining what medium to use to replicate identical poses and I would love to hear your ideas for replication.

Brainstorming thoughts:

1. Maybe there is some applicable option for employing lasers, although I don't know how or what type would get me there.

2. Clear body molds made of acrylic or plastic to place on just the backside of the body to recreate the pose? (A similar idea to doll stands, I suppose). Although I don't know how I would be able to make that kind of molding for my posed body.

3. Magnetic strips attached to the backside of my body that align with a magnetic tracing on the wall?

4. Small reflective mirrors on the opposing wall aligning with key parts of the body such as the belly button.

No idea you have is a dumb one. Can't wait to see your suggestions! ~Brooke

 

[sm4him]

Clone yourself.
Kill the Clone.
Stuff and pose the clone.
Done.

See, it turns out some of the ideas we have ARE dumb ones!!

 

[CameraClicker]

You know, long ago when they used huge cameras and flash powder, and everyone looked so stiff when their portraits were taken? They were stiff because the exposures were long, even with flash power. So they were wired to frames to keep them still.

You don't say enough about why you want the same pose, or how exact, exact is. There are always tolerances. Sometimes within an inch is good enough, sometimes you need to be within a thousandth, and sometimes a tenth of a micron.

Simpler than a frame of some sort, take the first photo, then have an assistant position you the same way for the next photo, and the next, if needed. You could do the same for yourself with a photo and a camera tethered to your computer and positioned so you can see the screen while it takes a photo every second or two.

 

[JustJazzie]

Easy, take one picture of yourself on a green screen and then just copy paste yourself in. ;-)

Really though, no good advice. Maybe tethering to an ipad/ laptop could be of use?

 

[astroNikon]

of just position your self in the pose that you want, have a RF remote in your hand and shoot away as you make minor adjustments as you look at the photo.

I'm just really clueless on the complexity here of a self portrait that way your described it.

 

[bratkinson]

When Hollywood makes a movie, they may shoot a scene one day and after looking at the results, decide to reshoot the last part of it, for example. There's a 'continuity specialist' or two in every Hollywood film that makes sure everyone is wearing the same clothing from one days' shooting to the next if the finished picture is depicting the same day, for example, and even for re-takes. Think of a scene in an old movie where an actor gets a pie in the face. Any re-takes require the actor to wear clean, identical clothing, hair clean and dry, etc. In short, write down any details necessary to ensure 'continuity' between the shots.

I'm also thinking of shooting TV show, for example, where there are marks on the floor where someone is supposed to stand...Think of Johnny Carson doing his monologue at the start of each show. There were marks on the floor for where he was supposed to stand as that's where the camera was already focused. Certainly, there were marks on the floor for where the camera should be as well.

The OP didn't elaborate on whether the shots were moments apart or days, weeks, years, whatever. Perhaps the easiest method I could come up with is for the subject (you) to be standing, with your back against a plain wall. Various pegs could be affixed to the wall to ensure your feet are exactly the same distance apart (wearing the same shoes, or, at least shoes with the same heel size), where your left hip should be (shoot a tad from the left of the subject to conceal the peg sticking out of the wall), and additional pegs for hand and head positioning. You're on your own to ensure the same facial expression from frame to frame.

The above assumes a couple of things. First, that the clothing you are wearing isn't more/less bulky than the previous shot(s). Also, the various shots must be close enough in time that you haven't gained or lost weight, as positioning per the pegs may slightly move (unless your intent is to photograph a growth/weight loss/etc sequence). Also, the camera must be in exactly the same position...and it's the same camera and lens. I'd use a plumb-bob under the tripod to exactly locate where the camera should be located, and a mark on the wall behind or on one side of the camera that gets used vertically leveling the camera.

You will also need an assistant to click the shutter, unless you have a radio control shutter release in your pocket and your hand is in that pocket. Attempting to use the cameras' built in timer release (2-10 seconds, for example) and run back and get in the 'set' position would most likely be futile.

 

[astroNikon]

^^as above. Of course, the most important thing in reproducing anything is the details.
position of feet, angle of legs, position and angle of arms, etc. Not just "approximately" but exactly, as exact as one can get.

Posing shouldn't be that difficult.
Unless you are trying to recreate an outdoor shot after the season has changed; or a temporary shot where the surroundings have changed.

 

[dennybeall]

If your feet and hands are on the same spots the pose will be easier to recreate. Mark those four spots and pick an easy pose and you'll have it close.
If it has to be EXACT!!! you could mark the spots for your feet and project the original pose and stand in the projection. Have a helper tell you when you're there, turn off the projection and take the next picture.

 

[snowbear114 46]

1. Set up camera (use full auto mode) on a tripod, facing a corner.
2. Sit on the floor with your back to that corner and shoot with a remote shutter release.
3. Don't move until the project is done.

 

[robbins.photo]

Clone yourself.
Kill the Clone.
Stuff and pose the clone.
Done.

See, it turns out some of the ideas we have ARE dumb ones!!

Well you were on the right track here, only problem I see is that to do this right your going to need some professional taxidermy - the do it yourself stuff your own clone kits you get off of ebay really don't work all that well, and after a couple of days.. well, the thing gets pretty gamy.

Lol

 

[astroNikon]

Just make sure the clone doesn't kill and stuff you first

 

[robbins.photo]

Just make sure the clone doesn't kill and stuff you first

This is all starting to sound frighteningly close to the plot of an Arnold Schwarzenegger movie.

I think it might be time to switch to plan B - the one that involves all the angsty teenage vampires who use entirely too much hair gel.