Parents-in-law

[Kimberly Dow]

That IS an idea Mike. For this project it feels like I have 30 clients to please...what IS it with big families? Easter sounds marvelous.

[Mike McCarty]

I know that sometimes we have no choice, and there have been many a fine painting of bunches of people, but I am much prejudiced toward the individual portrait.

When you have an "individual" in front of you there is a simple direct communication that takes place, whether they are being painted or photographed, that you can't create when another person is added to the mix. There is something pure about the individual portrait.

[Linda Brandon]

Kim, I know I keep saying this but I really do think that most people... anybody not young, fabulous or picturesque.. look better indoors.

I was also thinking tonight that the only time I've ever been happy with my portraits of "older" people was when I've done at least some work on them from life. They start talking, and I find them interesting, and I think I paint them as being more interesting. (Or else they fall asleep, which is okay, too.)

[Mike McCarty]

I really ditto those indoor comments.

[Kimberly Dow]

Are you still talking about natural light indoors? I have yet to take any kind of decent photo with indoor lights - of course I dont own any real lighting equipment.

Someone - and I think it was Michele - on another post drew what she said was a good setup for natural light (indoors) for an older person. I will have to find that - I remember it was my friend Bridget's reference photo she was commenting on - I will go look. I haven't done too many older folks - I need to learn how so it becomes more instinctive for me. Those pretty young things are easy to photograph!

[Michele Rushworth]

Photographing by window light is very easy.

Here's the standard formula: For people of this age you want the light to fall fairly frontally on their faces with the typical ratio of three-quarters of their face in the light and one quarter in shadow. So, set your tripod up with the window behind you, but not directly behind. You want the light to come over your left shoulder. Set the people up in front of you and fire off a hundred or so shots. That ought to do it.

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by Linda Brandon

.... I've done at least some work on them from life...Or else they fall asleep, which is okay, too.)

Oh, and don't paint "from death" although they really hold still that way.

[Kimberly Dow]

Good point Linda.

My husband and kids keep saying "Hurry up - they are old and are going to die soon!" Talk about pressure. Besides - I've never met more active virile people in my life! They are both 87, or 88 now and they buy homes and remodel them themselves to re-sell. They work 6 days a week - you should see this fella hopping up on a 12-foot ladder. You'd never guess their age.