Child's Portrait

Mike Dodson · 07-22-2003, 08:52 PM

This is a commission I just received for a child's portrait. I would like to get your input on the 2 photo's below. I would like to get your preference and also input/ideas for the background (too much green!).

This is my first child's portrait and I am anxious to begin. I know many of you have alot of experience in this area. I must say I was pleasantly surprised how well the photo shoot went. I ended up with 57 shots with only about 10 of which I felt weren't artistically good poses. I think I discovered that the key is shooting the pictures just prior to the subject preparing for the pose (if that makes sense?).

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!

Mike Dodson · 07-22-2003, 08:55 PM

#1

Mike Dodson · 07-22-2003, 08:58 PM

close-up#1

Mike Dodson · 07-22-2003, 09:03 PM

#2

Mike Dodson · 07-22-2003, 09:06 PM

detail#2

Kimberly Dow · 07-22-2003, 09:26 PM

I like the first one, I find it much more interesting.

I am offended by her bare feet though, can't that child afford shoes?!

Mike McCarty · 07-22-2003, 11:23 PM

Nice going Mike, I think I prefer the first post. I was reminded of the background in Timothy M.'s portrait.

http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...&threadid=2883

Michele Rushworth · 07-23-2003, 10:11 AM

Hi Mike,

These are terrific, especially the first pose! Beautiful child, beautiful dress, beautiful setting. I like how she's doing something with her hands and the expression on her face is better in the first pose, I think.

There's an SOG artist that I think does a terrific job of these "barefoot girls in white dresses" portraits. His name is Hongmin Zou, out of Atlanta. Here's his site: http://www.hongminzou.com

On your concerns about "too much green" in the background: take a look and see how Hongmin Zou handles it. If you vary the temperatures of the greens, and vary the values of the large masses more than what is shown in the reference photos I think that will help too.

This will be a knock out sample for your portfolio!

Michele Rushworth · 07-23-2003, 10:36 AM

Here's an example of how I would vary the values of the large masses in the background, with your original shown on the left. I also brought the strand of willow leaves that she is holding out from the background, too.

Peter Jochems · 07-23-2003, 11:09 AM

The first one is great. Compliments!

Peter