SEEING IN BLACK & WHITE

I didn't want to write today, because I was afraid if I did it would be fueled with anger and expletives and I don't like to be angry in public nor do I like to cuss if I can help it, most of the time I can, I'm a lady after all. We called the movers to check the E.T.A. and found out they did not leave Friday as promised but supposedly left today.  Today?!  We are supposed to see our haul in 3-5 days,  I am irate.  I am having trouble seeing straight. I need my things, my entire studio is on that truck and I desperately need to get back to work. We have no furniture and nothing to do, but drive each other crazy.  I noticed some beautiful light tonight streaming from a window in our empty living room. I have been wanting to practice shooting with black & white conversions in mind and knew this was good light for that.  So I asked my husband to model, "Hon, can you help me take some practice shots? Just sit on the floor there." His answer?  "How do you want me to pose? Like this?" See image above.  WTH? Who poses with their thumb like that? "No, no, don't pose, I don't want you to pose, just be natural." How does he respond to that? "I don't know how to be natural." That's obvious. I suggest, "Just have a conversation with me."  "So, what would you like to talk about?," he asks. You know a conversation is going to be absolutely titillating when it starts with, 'What would you like to talk about'.

I opted to have him not talk at all and just tried to adjust him accordingly. Moving a very stiff, nearly 200lb. man into a position that would be desirable for flattering catchlights was about as easy as climbing Everest in high heels--impossible. I was about to give up and started to stand in resignation when he looked up and asked if the shoot was over, "Yes it was", I hissed. He knew I was upset so he smiled in that way that implies he is going to try to be serious now (he never is), right there in that moment I had the light I wanted and the perfect look without the stupid thumb on the chin pose. I think I may stick to still life if this is going to be the only model in town.