Before and After Photos - The 2 Tricks Behind the Amazing Transformations

You know the pictures and the captions: From "scrawny to brawny," are you a "hard gainer"? And my favorite "from this to this in 90 days". It's almost like magic they are so amazing. So, how do they do it? Well if you are the magician...you know the "magic".

The first thing that I have to admit is that all of the before and after photo's that I am aware of are in fact real. Not photo shopped, or altered to any great degree. The physical transformations that they represent did and do actually take place. It's just not portrayed exactly as it happened.

Let's start with the skinny guy transforming into an Adonis. The hard gainer. The facts are that when it comes to muscle building, we're all hard gainers. You don't add 30 lbs of muscle easily. No one does, or everybody would do it, wouldn't they? Now some people's genetic predisposition and body type makes it somewhat more difficult to add size, but everyone will, eventually. And therein lays the first trick.

The before and after photo's of these fantastic transformations are taken YEARS apart. Not months, weeks or days. Years. If you notice the photos closely there will always be a difference in facial features, though they try to avoid direct straight on face shots. The hair style is different, often different color, shading and lighting will be changed and skin tone is usually darker in the after. These are all done to enhance the after, and it work's, and to take your attention away from the fact that the skinny before photo is 5 or more years old.

News flash: Lift a lot of very heavy weight often, eat a lot of protein and work hard at it and in 5 years ANYBODY will pack on muscle. No miracle weight lifting routine here.

Then there's the Doughboy before photo becoming Mr. Universe in the after, and doing it in 90 days. Well, this DOES happen. Have you ever seen what a professional lifter looks like if they go 30 days without lifting and add 15 lbs of blubber to their body? They look a LOT like the people in the before shots. Big, beefy, even chunky, very soft and smooth looking. But if you have ever had 3% body fat before, you can get back to this number 10 times faster than doing it for the first time. Same with muscle memory in lifting. It can take you years to get to a certain level of weight for bench or whatever, then injure yourself and have to take months off. When you hit the weights for the first time you might be able to handle 60-70% of what you were doing. But it comes back in just a few weeks. Same with fat loss. These before and after photo's usually will be literally identical in every way. That's because these will have been taken 60-90 days apart. But the before photo isn't some schlub off the street. He's a very muscular dude with 25 lbs of fat to drop. Been there, done that.

Lastly I have learned that the internet is loaded with useful, helpful FREE information. You just have to look for it. If you are too lazy to do that, and instead opt for some costly "program", realize that buying it doesn't make you NOT lazy anymore. Save your money.

Steve R. Robbins has been a life long fitness enthusiast. Has the distinction of being able to run a marathon and bench press twice his weight in the same day. All at the age of 51. Editor and regular contributor to http://www.MuscleandHealth.org

Fantastic Physique Photos - Tips For Taking Great Bodybuilding Pictures

Most aspirant or established bodybuilders take a lot of pictures of themselves during their quest for the perfect body. This is not a sure sign of narcissism though as these photos will be an excellent graphic record of progress during various stages of the process. It makes a lot of sense then to invest in the best photographic equipment one can afford at an early stage and also to spend a bit of time perfecting the techniques needed to take good solo bodybuilding pictures.

These points are often neglected, a fact amply demonstrated by the masses of really bad self taken bodybuilding pictures one sees. Bodybuilding is a sport that's success is judged visually, both on stage and in pictorial form. If, for example, the venue lighting is bad on the day of a contest, contestants are going to have a hard time getting the maximum visual impact across in their routines. They may be seen clearly, but if the lighting is too muted or harsh and not placed correctly, muscle definition may be far less apparent and poses not as effective.

The same principles apply to shooting your own bodybuilding pictures. You are going to be spending a huge amount of time, effort and money on your sport so it is senseless to neglect the photographic component of your equipment. Fortunately it's not necessary to spend thousands on a studio grade setup. Digital cameras are getting better and cheaper each year and it's possible to get an intermediate level digital with good optics and high megapixel sensor for a very reasonable price. The only other critical item in a basic photographic setup is a tripod. Again, really good examples can be had at prices that won't decimate your bank balance.

Let's start by looking at camera choices. This, being the core of your photographic equipment, should be the absolute best example you can afford. In today's environment it doesn't make much sense investing in a film camera (if you can still find one that is). Digitals simply offer so many advantages that they represent the only serious option when considering camera choices. Always try and stay with the big names as optic and component quality is usually better as is the after sales service. Brand names such as Nikon, Canon, Sony, Pentax, Olympus and Konica Minolta are always safe choices. Kodak, HP, Panasonic and FujiFilm also make decent cameras. One feature that would be a definite plus in a camera is a remote. This will allow for a lot of flexibility when shooting solo bodybuilding pictures.

 Photography is making magic with light. Lighting is possibly the most important factor in any photographic genre, and particularly so in taking bodybuilding pictures where muscle definition is so critical in creating visual impact. Again it's not necessary to break the bank. Any fairly intense, directable light source will get the job done. For best results try and get two separate light sources set up at approximately 45° to your pose position and situated behind the point were you are going to set up your camera. Try to avoid using flash unless you have a flash diffuser as flash tends to wash out too much subtle detail. Remember that a high light position will emphasise shadow at the bottom of the muscle structure while a lower position will do the same for the lower abs but also possible detract from your chest.

Your camera should always be placed on a tripod to avoid any blurring that will play havoc with definition in your shots. If you have a portable, full length mirror it helps to place it almost directly behind the camera so that you adjust you poses for maximum effect. Just remember to look directly at the camera again before taking the shot. Keep unnecessary clutter out of the background that can detract from you as the focal point. This is especially true of items that could possibly cause a bout of blushing at a later stage!

Personal preparation for taking bodybuilding pictures should include the following points:

Body hair should be removed as it detracts from muscle definition in bodybuilding pictures.
Try to avoid eating for approximately an hour before you take the pictures. A recent meal will distend your stomach and ruin your profile.
Pump before you shoot, and no, that's not XXX grade movie advice either. A short workout prior to taking the pictures will increase blood flow and muscle volume.
Skin tone and highlights are essential in showcasing muscle development in bodybuilding pictures. Concentrate on maintaining a good tan and oil up to increase highlights. This will really define your muscle mass.
Practice good pose. Suck in that gut and keep you back straight or slightly arched back. When applying tension try to make it look effortless and smile! No war faces here.
Once the pictures are taken you can use software to edit the results if you can and are so inclined. Skin blemishes can miraculously disappear and lighting and exposure adjusted to maximise the effect. Superimposing Mel Gibson's face is not on though!

It is impossible to briefly cover all the different techniques and settings that can be applied to get great results in bodybuilding pictures. Experience will quickly teach you how to maximise the results though and if you use the preceding tips you'll soon be able to build a flattering portfolio.

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Body Building Photos

If you are serious about body building, you will want to have photos that document your progress down the road towards having a beautifully sculpted body. When you are able to have a progression of photos that will show your body building journey, you could possibly motivate others to go down the same path you have taken.

You may want to start out by looking at photos of body building phenomenon who are already where you want to be. You can find some great photos of body specimens at a variety of websites. Look at some of the following recommended websites for some great body building photos:

* www.bodybuilding.com * www.getbig.com * www.trulyhuge.com * www.female-bodybuilding.org

When you take the time to look for some great body building photos, you might be amazed at what you find. You will be able to have ideals to aspire to, bodies that you want to look like, and people you want to emulate. There's nothing wrong with trying to make yourself look like a person who has the body you want to have!

When taking your own body building photos, keep in mind three simple rules:

* The right light * The right location * Flexing your muscles

That might seem like amazingly simple advice, but it can make a difference in taking great body building photos versus taking just alright body building photos. Be sure you have the right lighting, set your location, and work your muscles the way you should so that you can showcase what you've tried to make tight and toned.

If you are serious about your body building goals as well as showing off the body you have worked so hard to build, you should seek out the services of a professional photographer to take your photos. Yes, they will cost a little bit more money, but the end result will be well up to your expectations.

Be sure that you are in your best form when you are having your body building photos taken. Concentrate on showing off your muscles. Flex them so that they look the best that they can. Be sure you are projecting the best image possible when having your photos taken. You never know who will see them!

Body building photos can be wonderful motivational tools, but they can also be great ways to showcase the body you've worked so hard to make hard and toned. You never know – perhaps you will serve as motivation for someone else!

Body Building Photos

If you are serious about body building, you will want to have photos that document your progress down the road towards having a beautifully sculpted body. When you are able to have a progression of photos that will show your body building journey, you could possibly motivate others to go down the same path you have taken.

You may want to start out by looking at photos of body building phenomenon who are already where you want to be. You can find some great photos of body specimens at a variety of websites. Look at some of the following recommended websites for some great body building photos:

* www.bodybuilding.com * www.getbig.com * www.trulyhuge.com * www.female-bodybuilding.org

When you take the time to look for some great body building photos, you might be amazed at what you find. You will be able to have ideals to aspire to, bodies that you want to look like, and people you want to emulate. There's nothing wrong with trying to make yourself look like a person who has the body you want to have!

When taking your own body building photos, keep in mind three simple rules:

* The right light * The right location * Flexing your muscles

That might seem like amazingly simple advice, but it can make a difference in taking great body building photos versus taking just alright body building photos. Be sure you have the right lighting, set your location, and work your muscles the way you should so that you can showcase what you've tried to make tight and toned.

If you are serious about your body building goals as well as showing off the body you have worked so hard to build, you should seek out the services of a professional photographer to take your photos. Yes, they will cost a little bit more money, but the end result will be well up to your expectations.

Be sure that you are in your best form when you are having your body building photos taken. Concentrate on showing off your muscles. Flex them so that they look the best that they can. Be sure you are projecting the best image possible when having your photos taken. You never know who will see them!

Body building photos can be wonderful motivational tools, but they can also be great ways to showcase the body you've worked so hard to make hard and toned. You never know – perhaps you will serve as motivation for someone else!