How can I keep a subject in the same pose and position across photos taken in different locations?
Asked 6/30/2016
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I want to make a series of travel photos where the same person appears in nearly the same pose and spot in the frame each time, while only the background changes. The goal is to turn the images into an animation or sequence.
What is this kind of effect called, and what are some practical ways to make the framing and pose as consistent as possible from shot to shot? I'm especially concerned about matching camera height, distance, and angle when shooting in different places.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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Fun idea. That could be called hyperlapse.
If you use a specific memory card for that project, you can always switch from viewing the first photo of the project to live view.
Another option is that you built a box with a grid or something and put it in front of your camera, like the old matte paint technique used in cinema. Instead of having a paint of a scene, draw a stick figure as a reference, remove it and take the shoot.
After this you can use an image stabilization software. You can use Blender which is free. https://www.google.com/search?q=blender+image+stabilization
Level your camera with a feature of your girlfriend, like the tip of the chin and shoot at a wider angle that you think looks nice, so you have something extra space to crop and adjust.
You could do a very complex stop motion animation if you prepare each pose in advance, and carry it as a reference.
Study hyperlapse techniques https://www.google.com/search?q=hyperlapse here is a very good tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcylVx2ex78 and they are using a monopod.
I feel there is a chance the effect won't be noticeable because the lighting and obviously the background will be very different, so focus the framing on her. I do not mean center her, but compose based on her.
An additional thing that could help "balance" the images is the use of an external flash, so you can put the flash in the same relative position and this would give you an additional stable feature - the source of light.
To smooth things even further do not take just one shot. Take several on the same location with some differences, probably a "circular dolly", where she rotates a bit facing you.
Now you have an additional element to smooth the result. A camera movement.
And an additional thing. Let her use some clothing that can be reused again an again. A t-shirt (or several), a quid, a cap so she is dressed similar to enhance the effect.
Share a link after you finish your project!
Originally by user37321. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user37321
10y ago
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This is often described as a hyperlapse-like idea, though your main challenge is consistent framing rather than camera movement.
The easiest approach is to shoot a bit wider than needed and refine the match in post by cropping and aligning the images afterward. That’s usually much simpler than trying to get every frame perfect in-camera.
To improve consistency while shooting:
- Use a tripod to keep camera height more repeatable.
- Keep a reference image from your first shot with you; comparing it on the camera screen can help you match pose and framing.
- Use a fixed distance from camera to subject, such as a marked string attached to the tripod.
- Level the camera using a consistent body feature, and leave extra room in the frame for later adjustment.
- If helpful, make a simple overlay/reference grid for composing.
Afterward, use stabilization/alignment tools in postproduction to fine-tune the sequence.
Also, don’t worry about perfect duplication. A close match usually looks more natural, and slight variation can make the sequence feel less artificial.
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