Textbook hand position and good backing up. A good instructional photo.

Yeah, that's what everybody's thinking when they're looking at this picture...

well after putting it on i did worry someone may of said we were doing something wrong!! But it seems that maybe people aint interested in that! :P

Actually it's not quite textbook. Note how the belayer's left hand has thumb and fingers on the same side of the rope; this gives less control than a "lobster-claw" grip where the rope goes through the fleshy part between thumb and forefinger; this puts it "deeper" into the hand and is harder to dislodge in an unexpected impact. Just an observation.
Agreed, attractive subjects do make for good instructional photos ;)

To be fair though Jamie, it also doubles the chance of taking the skin off the inside of your hand if the rope runs through. Everyone knows that if it comes to getting rope burn...or dropping your climbing, you sure as hell drop you climber! Rope burn is painful. ;-P

Totally disagree. If you always have the dead rope under your control there is no way that it should be running fast enough to cause a rope-burn.

you're sweeeeet :0) can't stand people who beat around the bush so thought i'd just come right out with it :0)

isn't it of concern that neither appear to be keeping an eye on the climber...?

I often teach people to belay by "feel". Often beginner belayers spend too much time watching the climber while allowing their hands to go all over the place!

good jugs at this wall i see!

left hand thumb should be round rope...not quite textbook but perfectly good enough!

oooooft, lookin good