Dad.
 

Hi,

This is from a snapshot so the quality is not good, couldn't be avoided because it's a surprise.

The photo was specifically chosen though because this is his favourite hobby, after which he dicusses the contents in detail with anyone who will listen :bewildere

I originally had a wider crop togive the feeling of open space but comments else where indicated that they prefer a tighter crop?

Any thoughts?

Carolyn

ps. no idea why but i'm a bit worried about critiques on this one :(

oops forgot to say, 38 x 28 cms on sennelier pastel card

Carolyn,
I just love this, it has such a warm, familial feel to it. You have got to be happy with it. I don't know how much space you have around his backside but I wonder if you would try bringing him a little more into the frame, to show his backside, but keep the space open like you have it to the right. Just a thought...

Carolyn,
I like it too, composition and the way it is painted.
But I think that you could heighten the light effect by changing some values and saturation in the jersey and on the paper.
It looks as the light is coming from above and in that case the horizontal planes like the shoulder and the lower right arm would be a few values lighter than the front of his chest. Also there would be a shadow from his head, on the jersey (shirt).
The paper would be almost whiteout on the page he is reading and on the flip that he is holding.
I think that the values in the jersey is fine in the lit areas and suggest that you darken and desaturate the shadow parts a bit.
On the paper I would suggest that you heighten the lit areas.
Allan

Patricia,

Thank you for the input, it is a very personal pose and i wasn't sure how it would translate, but I like it and so do the family so I suppose thats what counts.

I see what you mean about the crop but the eventual aim is to do one of my mum in a similar pose and hang them together (bookends so to speak ;) )

Allan,

Again thank you for the comments, I can see what you mean about making the light source more apparent and will have a go at lightening the paper and darkening the shadows in the jersey. one thing though ( as I am still quite vague about artistic trems :bewildere ) what exactly does to 'desaturate' mean.

You are right about the shadow as well, I went back and had a close look at the photo and there is a thin shadow under the (his ) left hand jawline. I think I decided to ignore it as I wasn't sure if it was from a flash :(

Thankyou again,

Carolyn.

Carolyn,
If this is from a flashlight photo it would explain the lack of natural shadows. If you place a person in the same light and take another photo, without flash, you will get an idea of which way to go.

By desaturate I meant "less bright" or towards neutral, though I am not sure if this is a correct English term :oops:

Good luck, Allan