I like number 1, and this latest one with his back leaning on the wall. Somehow I feel that the backlighting makes him magical, and brought out the x-factor in him (was I thinking of the elves from the Lord of the Rings movie??? LOL)

Anyway, the fact the shadow cast on him in the two pics, makes these two pics a down-er to use. But yet the composition has so much potential.

What i would reckon doing is to re-shoot the two poses, this time have a reflector to use to minimize the shadows.

Is it too late to vote, Cindy? I agree with Kim -I really like the pose in #3.

I'm smiling to myself looking at these - I just finished a portrait of my own son and you coaxed much better facial expressions out of yours than I did with mine.

Me, too--#3 is a clear winner. It's the light, Cindy. The other poses are great in terms of expression, etc., but the light is too far to the side.

I'm also amazed you even got your son to pose at all. I've been "working" on the same portrait of my son (from life) for almost a year because I can't even lure him into posing by offering a model's fee. Actually it's been hanging in the studio for months.

Marcus - thanks - I was hoping to pull off the rim lighting simply because it's so different than what I normally do. I usually go for strong dramatic light with dark shadows.

Thanks, Richard!

I guess if I can't re-shoot then I'll go with #3, but I really prefer the first pose. It has more movement to it.

Linda - that's funny that you mentioned coaxing a good facial expression from him. I've attached 2 composites below. I have hundreds more.

Alex - you know, I miss the days when I could just order my kids to do my bidding. They become so independent and even MONEY won't sway them. It's so frustrating. Of course, when I could order them around, I also had to do icky things like change their diapers and stuff. So it's a trade-off.

Wish me luck for a re-shoot today! I'm going to add an artifical light - and see if I can't get both the rim light from outside, AND directional light to make form shadows.

Do not add artificial light! I have done that with dreadful results. It just KILLS skin-tones. Fill with a reflector. You can use a large white board or a sheet. I have a portable 36" disk , a Photoflex, it has a white and a silver side, that I could not live without. it will reflect some of the light back to the face.

One example of its use is on my site, the girl in the white dress in the pink chair. I filled her face so it would not darken if I wanted to get the landscape detail and bleach out her dress.

Alright alright - since you feel so strongly about it... LOL

I LOVE that painting. Your handling of foliage is masterful.

Stop the presses! how does pose 2 with pose 3 lighting sound? I love his graceful stance and expression in 2

I like #3 too, but have some concerns about his folded arms. the sleeves are so dark and his arms cut the composition in have, quite severely. Is this something you can work around???

Tell your son, he has a great face to paint and great hair. My boys are older but you took me back in time! Your last pictures made me laugh. We do have to get through dozens of shots to get the primo ones!!!

Sharon, where can I get a Photoflex?

I do like the poses with more movement in them.

My re-shoot was a flop.

Next step is color studies - I'm planning to paint the face from #3 and the one from #1. With all your kind indulgences, I will post the results.

Pat, you're right about taking many shots. 246 for me, in total.

Pat,
Any decent photo store should have it.

Here is their web-site and a nifty one it is. www.photoflex.com