CANADIAN PHYSIQUE ALLIANCE September/October 2020 | Page 34

how can you expect to be judged properly?
You need to hold that pose long enough
for people to see. We always suggest that
you pair down and instead of trying to fit 15
poses into 15 seconds or 30 poses into 30
seconds, do 4 - 5 (in 15 sec) or 7 - 8 (in 30
sec). Try to use this time to showcase your
line-up to spread out. Standing too close to your
fellow competitors also increases the chances
of you being a little behind someone else, having
elbows or a hand in front of you, making it very
difficult to see how you "compared" to others
in your photos. Comparison photos are very
important.
Posing Routines
best features and do poses that highlight
your best assets. The mandatory poses will
be done during comparisons so the judges
will see your overall physique and you will be
photographed then as well.
• There are always x's on stage. Generally at
least 5 of them. Please use those markers
when on stage as this allows the judges to
see you better and allows better photos.
The posing line and x’s are placed where the
lighting is optimal.
Comparison Rounds
When you are on stage during comparisons,
leave enough space between you and the other
competitors. We understand that everyone
wants to be in the centre, thinking this is
where they will be seen the most. But if you
are crowding toward the centre it will not allow
the judges to see your entire physique , and the
head judge will have to waste time telling the
If you compete in men's or women's
bodybuilding, classique physique or
women's physique you will be required to
have a posing routine prepared. Pace your
posing routine so that it's easy to expect
when you're at the peak contraction for
your pose. There's a balance between
taking too long to get into a pose and going
too fast for anyone to see you at peak
contraction. As photographers we never
know when you'll hit your peak contraction
on a pose but can anticipate based on your
movements. If you are moving too quickly
or not holding a pose then you might end
up with photos of you not at your best
that look like you are always in transition.
Some competitors like highly entertaining
routines that involve a lot non-stop, dancelike
movement. Some women like to be on
the floor a lot showcasing their physique
in a "sexier light". They are a pleasure to
watch, but often don't yield a lot of photos
that showcase your physique because it's
hard to move and flex at the same time. It’s
also hard for the photographer to get shots
over the judge’s heads of you on stage if
you are lying on the stage for much of your
routine.
Fitness Routines
Put more of your best moves closer to the
centre of the stage. Getting too close to the
edge of the stage or to large curtains can be
dangerous. We have seen a couple of tumbles.
Aside from the obvious dangers, spending more
of your routine closer to the centre also means
that more of your photos will be shot from more
flattering angles and better light. The x's are on
the stage to show competitors where to be for
best lighting and best angles for the judges.
Please stay close to those marks. Also digital
cameras cannot see through shadows like the
naked eye. Therefore, if you are doing most of
your routine closer to the back of the stage it is
too dark to take proper photos and much of your
routine goes undocumented. You are moving
too quickly and changing locations too quickly
for photographers to adjust their cameras for
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