Observations How to Look Powerful on Camera - Something I Learned From Late Night Talk Shows

[Gentle_Phrases]

Sup guys! I noticed something about Late Night Talk Shows that was an eye opener for me.

Tell me what you notice about these images:

It's All About Positioning

After watching a few Late Night Talk Show Episodes on Youtube, I noticed that for some reason the host was always seated on the right. Why? I did a simple google search to see if there was a single contrarian.

Nada.

So there has to be a reason right? This article from Slate Magazine explains it all:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_ ... right.html

Here's an excerpt from the article:

[Talk show hosts keep their desks on the right] because it makes them seem powerful. In Western culture, we read from left to right, and we watch theater and television that way, too. Our eyes end up on the right side of the screen—where the host sits (also known as stage left). In the theory of stagecraft, it's understood that a rightward placement telegraphs royalty. So no matter how famous the guest may be, sitting to the left makes him or her seem subservient. Late-night hosts also sit slightly upstage (farther back and slightly elevated) from their guests, which likewise reinforces the notion of a power imbalance.

Interesting! So do you all agree that being pictured on the right of a frame makes you appear more powerful, royal, and dare I say, masculine?

In Which Frame Does Yeezus Seem More Dominant?

I'm not quite sure if it makes THAT much of a difference. Perhaps this is one of those things where tradition holds sway. Still...you might want to think about this the next time you're posing for a picture for your dating account, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

 

[Chase]

Re: How to Look Powerful on Camera - Something I Learned From Late Night Talk Sh

Fantastic observation here, GP. Really under the radar stuff. Never consciously thought about that one before.

Another little-talked about one is back-to-the-wall: whether sitting or standing, try to be the one with your back to the wall. Anyone looking at you is completely focused on you, while you have a clear line of sight out to the rest of the venue, which places you in the more powerful position (e.g., you'd never see a late night host in an arena-like setting, where the audience is seated on all sides of him - saps him and the guest of their power very quickly).

Chase

 

[Mr. oblivious]

Re: How to Look Powerful on Camera - Something I Learned From Late Night Talk Sh

I know that being in the middle makes you look more dominant (when there is more than 2 )

I can see you point about sitting on the right and its probably worth looking into

But the pictures of Kayne are very distorted :

1. Kayne is taller than Kim making him look more dominant compared to the other girl which is of similar height

2. Kayne is standing in front of Kim making him look like he is in a leading postion compared to being inline with the other girl.

3. which is just an addition to 2 is Kayne is holding Kim's hand (leading) looks like she is chasing him

So im not sure if being on the right helps or not but they are many other factors which make Kayne look dominant in the two pictures

 

[Gentle_Phrases]

Re: How to Look Powerful on Camera - Something I Learned From Late Night Talk Sh

Another little-talked about one is back-to-the-wall: whether sitting or standing, try to be the one with your back to the wall. Anyone looking at you is completely focused on you, while you have a clear line of sight out to the rest of the venue, which places you in the more powerful position

Thanks, Chase. Yeah, this is a good one. Oddly enough, I first learned that from a "natural" (who knows, maybe he was into PU) just by observation. It always made him much more relaxed than the other people leaning in talking.

So im not sure if being on the right helps or not but they are many other factors which make Kayne look dominant in the two pictures

Yes! And for some reason the one where he's on the right looks more pleasing. The best way to test this might be to compare a mirrored image.

 

[Chase]

Re: How to Look Powerful on Camera - Something I Learned From Late Night Talk Sh

But the pictures of Kayne are very distorted :

1. Kayne is taller than Kim making him look more dominant compared to the other girl which is of similar height

2. Kayne is standing in front of Kim making him look like he is in a leading postion compared to being inline with the other girl.

3. which is just an addition to 2 is Kayne is holding Kim's hand (leading) looks like she is chasing him

Great observations, Mr. Oblivious.

Here're two more:

• In picture one, Kanye is dressed up while the woman he's with is dressed down; in picture 2, the reverse is true. If you have to dress up while the other person doesn't bother, this communicates that you are trying harder, while the other person is less so.

• In picture one, Kanye is talking and the other woman is listening and nodding her approval. In picture 2, Kim Kardashian is speaking and Kanye is laughing, indicating his approval. Generally speaking, the unspeaking one who is listening and passing judgment / approval on the speaker's words appears more dominant, while the one speaking appears to be attempting to gain a favorable reception from the listener (another reason why speaking less and letting the girl speak more is generally the more powerful position to be in socially).

Chase