Photo resources for demo

Jean Kelly · 03-31-2004, 04:31 PM

Hello,

I'll be demonstrating at a show here in Madison in May. These are some photos I already have that might be fun to do. Could you please advise on the suitabity, quality, and ability to generate some interest in portraiture? Or do I need to start from scratch?

Jean

Chris Saper · 03-31-2004, 10:13 PM

Hi Jean,

You have the time, I would really go after more photos of the little redheaded guy. Market -wise, he will have universal appeal, and I love the vantage point, the lighting and the expression.

The problems with this photo reference are the hat/hair, and the lens distortion. Do you see how enormous his hands are compared to his face? To fix this you have to get way back and zoom in or use a higher mm lens. However, the lens distortion will become a non-issue if you just do a head shoulder, vignette. Personally I wouldn't probably try to invent the light on his gorgeous hair, but if you go ahead with this resource, I think you should try it out first, before the show.

Regarding #2, the pose doesn't feel very dynamic, and the figure, as well as #4, would require ( at least for me) much too much time for a demonstration, as I would see that they'd have to be on fairly large canvases in order to be anything resembling "portrait".

And wow, the yards and houses in the redhead's background look so Wisconsin!

Jean Kelly · 03-31-2004, 10:44 PM

Hi Chris,

Isn't he just wonderful, (the little redhead). I have more pictures of him that I'll check out and I may be able to twist an arm to get another photo shoot with him.

The young man in #2 is my next door neighbor"s son. He had so much fun modeling, I could easily get him back again. He had locked himself out of the house and came over to borrow the phone. He became a victim while waiting for a key. No planning (obvious) but smoky good looks.

I'm planning on having most of this portrait done, per Michele's advice, so it doesn't matter too much if it's larger. This is part of "Gallery Night" here and I'm not teaching, hopefully talking and pushing portraiture. The area behind the little redhead is by the stadium, and West high school. Beautiful neighborhood of old homes, stucco, and university professors.

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 03-31-2004, 11:42 PM

While I like the image of the "smoky good looks" dude, and the one of couple together, I agree with Chris that the little red-headed boy will be the best subject for you to paint. See if you can shoot a pile of new photos of him to choose from.

The most important thing I learned from the ASOPA conference I attended a few years back is that children's portraiture is two-thirds of the market. I think this subject will be the most likely one to get you additional work.

Jean Kelly · 04-01-2004, 12:50 AM

I'll try to get another shoot with him. I took these over a year ago, so I hope he's still cute.

Jean

Jeff Fuchs · 04-01-2004, 09:31 AM

Other than the technical issues Chris pointed out for the red head, I'll offer this:

As nice a shot as that is (I love the skin tones and opportunities for good grays), it's still a snapshot. Are you going to do a demo, then try to stress the importance of a carefully composed reference photo? Don't be surprized if people want portraits from their snapshots after watching you do a good job with this one. What wil you tell them?