The Grass Lie-Down

How to set up The Grass Lie-Down

1. Set the frame before anyone moves. The Grass Lie-Down wants a waist-up frame, with 2 people already close enough to touch. The couple lies head to head or side by side in the grass, shot from above. Fresh angle that flatters every face.
2. Get them into the lying shape, then say this once and stop directing: "Lie down on your backs with your heads close together and look up at me."
3. While they hold it, make one flatter change and shoot again. Shooting from directly above smooths features and avoids double chins.
4. If the first frame feels stiff, do not rebuild the group. Try this next: Lie head to head facing opposite directions.

Who it suits

The Grass Lie-Down is a couple pose. It fails if the two of them stand like acquaintances. It suits 2 people and a lying down shape. It is intermediate: you need a bit more space or balance than a standing hug, so shoot an easier frame first. If the group feels crowded, drop to the closest variation instead of backing everyone away from each other.

Where to shoot and how to light it

Shoot The Grass Lie-Down outside. A path, lawn, beach, step or open field is enough. Pick a background quieter than the people: one tree or a plain horizon beats a busy street. Keep the group in outdoor light, which the next section covers.

For The Grass Lie-Down, use open shade or late-day sun. Direct noon light squints eyes and blows out light clothing, especially on a lying pose where people cannot tilt a hat into place. If the sun is behind the group, expose for the faces and let the background go bright.

The usual miss on The Grass Lie-Down is a gap, a straight line of heads, or a face waiting for the next instruction. Shooting from directly above smooths features and avoids double chins. Then take the frame before anyone resets.

Variations

• Lie head to head facing opposite directions
• Both on their stomachs facing the camera
• One partner tickles the other