Paul

[Chuck Yokota]

I recently took some photos of my son Paul playing his guitar. The one I am posting is typical. I am thinking about making a portrait of him based on it. What do people think about this photo: do it, forget it, reshoot? Thanks for your help.

[Kimberly Dow]

Chuck,

If that were my kid I'd re-shoot. Maybe something indoors with a spotlight shining directly down on him. Make it look like stage lighting maybe. More frontal as well. What kind of music does he play? If it is mellow this pose reads fine, but if it's rock it would read better to me if there were a little more body movement. For example, a straight on shot down to below his knees and the knees are bent or his head is at an angle like he was bouncing it... you know - like those rockers like to do.

[Sharon Knettell]

Good looking boy, free model, play with it more. As Kimberly suggested, more dramatic lighting, His face is very symmetrical, try straight on and stagy up-lighting.

The garden fence does not go with the cool dude look I am sure your son would like to convey.

[Marvin Mattelson]

Step back more. There is too much lens distortion. His left hand is too big.

[Michele Rushworth]

I'd vote for the stage lighting too. If you don't have access to an actual performance setting, put him indoors somewhere, away from windows. Then turn out the lights and shine a spotlight up onto him from down on the floor.

[Mike McCarty]

Chuck,

If you do some more photo's (in addition to the lighting suggested above) consider using the guitar only in a compositional way. Your son does not have to be playing it to get the full effect. Also, you don't have to show the entire guitar to make your point.

I always equate music with drama, and drama comes easiest from lighting and pose.

[Marvin Mattelson]

Having played guitar myself, back in the day, I see it as a very intimate relationship between player and guitar. I wouldn't crop the guitar either. Joseph DeCamp seems to have shared my sentiments as seen below. A great example of how to treat a subject with reverence and dignaty. Not to copy but to consider.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Chuck,

I must agree with all the above comments, they are great advise. I especially liked the one about what kind of music he played since you can take it from there and roll with it.

Step back more. There is too much lens distortion. His left hand is too big.

I am sure Mike has covered this extensively in his great photo section, but I personally would appreciate a refresher. Basically to this point - If you are using a long lens, at what distance does the distortion tend to even out? there must be a magic number. Then if it's brought into Photoshop can you distort it there (by accident of course) just by scaling it up?

Thanks Marvin, Mike or whom ever in advance.

Chuck I can't wait to see your new effort!

[Marvin Mattelson]

Beth, distortion is a function of camera distance to subject. With a digital camera you get instant feedback as to whether or not certain elements look out of whack.

Sorry for the sidetrack Chuck.

[Elizabeth Schott]

Thanks Marvin, I always thought there was a lens length number that as a rule helped this.

Sorry for the sidetrack Chuck.

One of the reasons I asked this question Chuck, was since you were having this problem above, it might help you to hear it too. Sorry.