Gentlemen, do you want to look prettier in the photos? You don't have to work hard every day in the gym to get it, just pick up these little things!
Even though most of us are well aware that the reality is very distorted on social media and that no one is flawless, we still secretly long for admiration and to look our best. If you're dreaming of photos that show off your beautiful magazine-like figure, don't worry. It is relatively easy to achieve without deception. Well, almost...
Success in taking flattering photos depends mainly on how you sit and stand. It may sound trite, but know that especially in an age where we're all (un)willingly chained to computers, phones and tablets, sitting and standing really matters. While the right position can help you conjure up a more visually sculpted silhouette, the wrong one can do you a lot of harm. The absolute killer is loose abs and, of course, a hunched back. But you won't do much good if you're constantly looking at your mobile phone with your head down.
Several studies have been done on the topic of good and bad male posture. In one of them, for example, researchers found that men who tried one of the poses à la Superman (arms at the side and chest out) immediately felt less tense and stressed, and their testosterone levels increased. This posture had a greater effect if the men had some success behind them and had achieved something. The results of another study then stated that people who were slouched experienced a decrease in good mood and overall energy.
When it comes to proper posture, and not just when taking pictures, men often tend to lean on one leg when standing. But this causes uneven stress on the pelvic area, which can also take a toll on the back over time. When you stand, it's a good idea to imagine that there is a string attached to the top of your head that pulls you up. This way you lengthen your neck and direct your gaze. You should then try to push your chin slightly forward and up.
You can also lengthen your neck by looking as far up as you can. It's not an entirely comfortable position, but if you can stay in it for a few seconds, it will stretch you out nicely. Then slowly lower your chin until the tension in your cervical spine is gone. Your head should then be level. You can also easily prevent slouching by keeping your shoulders back. But there is another advantage - it will visually widen your chest as well. To make you look more powerful, think about your legs too. Your stance will look a little more masculine if you straddle about shoulder width apart.
As far as your gait is concerned, this is also greatly influenced by (mis)posture. So try to avoid shuffling your feet. If you're not very good at it, you should lift your feet slightly as you step. Another tip for learning a more masculine gait is to alternate rolling your shoulders in a natural rhythm - a bit like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.
Finally, read on for some quick tips that are guaranteed to make you look like a man in photos. Because sometimes, a fancy physique isn't everything:
1. Clench your arm muscles and lift them up slightly - holding them too close to your body will make you look unnecessarily small.
2. Think about your chin - it's often considered one of the symbols of masculinity among men. To accentuate it properly, play with the light and remember to stick it out a little and keep it down.
3. A thoughtful look is a safe bet - you can achieve it by closing your eyes a little and tilting your head slightly to the side.
