Ben

Joan Breckwoldt · 07-16-2004, 06:59 PM

Hi Mary,

I will offer you my opinion for what it's worth, I too am working hard on trying to get good resource photos. But maybe my fresh eyes can help you.

I don't think there are enough shadows, enough value contrast, in the second and third photos. I have learned that when I take a photo outside, the sun is so bright from all over that it's hard to get good shadows. Plus, the sunlight washes out the lit side of the face.

You have a lot of value contrast in the first photo. Though from what I've read it is difficult to paint with that backlighting, but why not give it a try? I think it's difficult because basically the whole face is in shadow. From my recent look at your website I think you could do it! Chris Saper does this a lot, you might look at her book.

Could you take pictures of this cute little guy with a more defined light source? For example, light coming in from a window? Otherwise I would go with the first one.

Hope this helps,

Joan

Mary Sparrow · 07-16-2004, 07:55 PM

OK, so...how about these? I only have a couple hundred from which to choose.

Mike McCarty · 07-16-2004, 08:20 PM

Mary,

If I were given the first bunch of three I would loose numbers two and three. The first one has interesting lighting. His expression is a little smerky but it may be dead on for him, I can't make that call. I would make an attempt to loose the hands completely and drop them to his side. You could try this on the computer and see what if.

Of the second three, the last one gets tossed. The indoor shot was beginning to develop some good light, but the arm up and the expression don't do him any favors.

I think you could turn the second one into a nice painting. Cute expression, interesting light. I would choose this one of the ones you've shown.

Joan Breckwoldt · 07-16-2004, 08:25 PM

Hi Mary,

Wow, these are great. Is this your son? He can't take a bad picture! I think, in my limited experience, that any of these would be much easier to paint from mainly because there is more variation in the values. I really like his expression in the second one, though any one of them would make a darling portrait.

As an afterthought, I couldn't see enough dark values in those two I mentioned in your first post, but that might just be my monitor.

Joan

Mary Sparrow · 07-16-2004, 09:36 PM

Ok, let's look at a couple more if you don't mind.

Mike, the mom actually mentioned she wouldn't mind catching his smirk.

Joan, I am afraid I can't lay claim to anyone that blonde.

Mike McCarty · 07-16-2004, 09:49 PM

I would nix both of these.

In the first one you could get much better results if you would back him away from the window and turn him toward the light. Your first window light attempt above was much closer.

Joan Breckwoldt · 07-16-2004, 09:54 PM

Mary, I agree with Mike about these two. The poses in the first two batches were better, in my opinion, I would choose one of those.

Will you choose the ones you think are good and then show those photos to the mom? I'm curious how this part of the process goes for you.

Joan

Mary Sparrow · 07-17-2004, 06:53 AM

Thanks Mike.

Joan, We took a quick look at these pictures before I ever left their house. The problem I foresee happening now, is because she thought they were all good, she has her favorites, and her favorites just may not be the best for painting. So I will be in for a battle I have a feeling. I need for this one to be good because her mother wants 8 (of each grandchild)!

Mary Sparrow · 07-17-2004, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

.

.... if you would back him away from the window and turn him toward the light. Your first window light attempt above was much closer.

Hey Mike, I totally understand what you are saying now I need to understand the magic spell?

I know most of you shy away from very young children simply because of some of the problems that you face trying to get resource photos. Well, that isn't an option for me, I truly LOVE paiting those pudgy little people and am not going to stop. But as I was reading your above statement my brain flashed to the moment I was taking those indoor shots. By that time we had gotten to that window ANY thought of getting him to pose where I wanted him to was a joke, so we basically bribed him to stay in that general area and shot away while he talked our ears off about various important issues.

Small children move around so fast, that being methodical and posing them while looking for the perfect lighting conditions is next to impossible b/c as soon as you think you have it they see something better a foot over and bam..your perfect picture is gone.

So what do you you do? What, if any, steps can be taken by people like me that are going to take this task on?.

Once a child is 5-6 or so, they are more patient and cooperative making it easier to pose them..(of course then, the new issue is getting a NATURAL expression on their face instead of CHEEZ).

Maybe this is a question for the creativity issues section?

Janel Maples · 07-17-2004, 02:08 PM

Hi Mary,

I thought I would share some things with you that I learned by accident and now use to my advantage. I do not have years of experience behind me but my wheels turn fast when what I am doing isn't going well.

I have a soon to be three year old son who, like most toddlers, isn't still for a second. Before I bought my digital Rebel I couldn't get a clear shot of him because everything was blurred due to motion. I know you to have a good camera so that is a good thing.

Janel's Reccommendation #1 for photographing balls of energy-- Have a good camera.

#2-- is to take pictures of them doing what they love to do ( and are very good at doing with a natural expression) ........play.

#3--If you have to pose them, have them tell you a story about something important to them while you take "test shots" to "adjust you camera" (wink) I just did a photo shoot of a 5 yr. old future drama major and the best shots were the ones she did not know were the real thing.

#4--Do your homework ahead of time. Take an older, more cooperative child to the park (or wherever) and locate the shots that have good possibilities. This way you are educated about lighting and where you need to be and when. Then, when your subject enters that space, you are ready for the shot.

I don't mean for this to sound like hunting.

Hope this helps. It works for me, I now have a really nice collection of great photos of my three year old.

Janel