Babysitter portrait

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Joan Breckwoldt

I'll try her kneeling tomorrow. And I'll ask her to take her heels off. Either that or specialize in subjects that are less than 4' tall.

Joan, how about just putting her in a chair? That ought to lower her down and get her into the light. Get your camera at her eye level; if you don't have a tripod, support yourself with your elbows on a table.

I often prefer seated poses anyway, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that subjects often just look more comfortable that way.

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

Joan, how about just putting her in a chair?

Hi Linda,

Thank you for your post. She's coming back on Monday and I will try that. Your work is beautiful and any advice I get from you I will certainly try! I had in my mind a standing, elongated pose. But I should be more open minded and try different poses. That in itself is a very worthwhile lesson that I just learned. Just now. WOW

I read over and over again how a portrait artist should go into a painting looking for the personality of the sitter, certain gestures, etc. And if someone would ask me, I would say, oh yes, I believe that. But what did I just do? I had in my mind how I wanted this portrait to look and I directed the model to fit my preconcieved notion. As I said, I have learned a lot today.

Thanks again Linda,

Joan

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Joan Breckwoldt

But what did I just do? I had in my mind how I wanted this portrait to look and I directed the model to fit my preconcieved notion.

I'm totally in favor of preconcieved notions! Especially with subjects who are not paying clients. I'm thinking of putting my next "victim" in a tree after shooting them (so to speak) inside on a ladder. I doubt I could get a client to go along with this plan.

When I do a photo shoot I always play around with different poses and I don't always know what "feels" the best until I see the photos. Then you must ask yourself whether the composition you had in mind works as well. Should it be square, vertical, circular, or horizontal? (I'm working on a portrait that started out as a vertical before I changed my mind and made it a horizontal.) First thing to worry about, though, is the light, so you're going about this the right way.