[Chris Saper]

Dear Holly,

Thank you for posting this little portrait. You have asked specifically about cropping and flash, so I will comment on those aspects.

I think you have done exceedingly well in interpreting skin tones, given that your light source was a camera-attached flash. Your portrait shows attention to drawing, modeling and three-dimensional form, which is also very difficult with this kind of source information. You've shown temperature variety in the skin tones as well.

That being said, there is no question that the better the lighting is, the more successful the portrait will be. I can't think of a single situation where a camera-mounted flash could compete with natural lighting, or artificial directional lighting that proudces interesting light and shadow patterns across the form. If you haven't had a chance to read the threads throughout the Forum on lighting, Photographing subjects, as well as the many related Photo Resource Critiques, I know you would get a lot out of them. I think the most important thing you should be focusing on for your next painting is getting the best resource material you possibly can.

With regard to the cropping, I very much like the way the head is cropped and don't have a problem with it at all. I do agree, though, that the arms are cropped at a somewhat awkward spot. You can definitely set up your own photo session with a model, and then you'll be able to direct the placement of the arms and hands yourself.

The only other area that comes to mind that you might want to re-check, is the contrast in value and strong color saturation in the mouth. The dark line above the upper lip is probably created more by the flash than anything else. In virtually every other lighting situation, the upper lip line canal will be a plane that lifts upward (especially in a child her age), and will catch light more than the upper lip will. In a more natural light setting you would also not see the strong color and high value inside the mouth.

Best wishes,