Support, Grounding, and Relationship to Gravity
Understanding alignment and visual structure
LESSON 2
Yoga Asana Photography Course
Capturing the Practice from Behind the Lens
Once the eye begins to notice movement, the next step is learning to recognize the structural lines that give a posture clarity. In yoga asana photography, alignment is not only a physical concept. It is also a visual one. The photographer’s role is to support the natural architecture of the pose so the viewer immediately understands its direction, intention, and balance.
Begin by identifying the primary line of the posture. This may be a diagonal reach, a vertical lift through the spine, or a horizontal extension through the limbs. Secondary lines often appear in the arms, gaze, or supporting leg. When these lines remain clear within the frame, the photograph communicates strength and calm without the need for excess editing or staging.
As you prepare to photograph, consider how your camera position affects the visual integrity of the pose. A slight shift in angle can either strengthen the line or disrupt it. Move slowly around the subject and notice how perspective changes the story the image tells. Your goal is not perfection but coherence, allowing the viewer’s eye to travel naturally through the form.
Practice Invitation
Choose one posture and photograph it from three different angles: front, side, and slightly above or below. Review the images and observe which angle most clearly supports the primary line of the pose and why.
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