Here's a link to a beautiful example of a reference photograph posted in another thread by Morgan Weistling.

Marvin, have you ever taken black and whites digitally? (through the camera, not the mode in Photoshop.) Or is it just a waste of time because you feel the black and white film is the key to the tones you get?

Denise, that's a lovely photo. And what's portra film? I use Fuji Superia. It would be interesting to hear what film others are using.

This looks like a fun gal to me!

As I was slaving away at my new digs the other day, this gal was having her birthday party next door at the restaurant. Forty cackling gals whooping it up having a large time. She is one of the employees at the Windsor Market where I have my studio. I think it was a Mardi Gras theme.

I managed to coax her over to the window for this shot. This could be fun to paint.

Dear Mike,

I have to say she looks like fun, but I wonder about the large lit area of her neck. It might create a real nightmare for you unless you are good at reconstructive surgery!

I've posted this photo of "Mardi Gras Gal" over in the critique section if anyone else would like to have a say.

Simple outdoor head and shoulders
 

I like this simple head and shoulder shot taken outside under, and at the outside edge of a patio. I like the way the distant light and shapes come into play.

Victoria has never modeled a day in her life. Maybe because she's too short, or maybe because she likes to gnaw trees.

In the undergrowth there lies the Bloath,
who feeds upon poets and tea.
Luckily I know this about him,
While he knows almost nothing of me.

Shel Silverstein

That's a very appealing photo (and model), Mike. I can see how much fun it would be to paint. I would probably crop out some of that pale dress which draws my eye to it, but her face is lovely and the light emphasizes her features nicely.

Bard of Tulsa,

Is Victoria not, instead, a swinger of birches? One could do worse than be a swinger of birches.

Here is the other thing I'm ruminating: how much harder it is to get a paintable outdoor portrait photo than it is to get an indoor one. This is a pretty good one, I think, but how hard it will be to be subtle and yet not let the shadow side dissolve into a mush of color.

This is why so many portrait painters shoot the subject inside and place them outside. (I can spot that a mile away.)

Note to Wild Westerners: this has nothing to do with shooting 'em outside and dragging 'em inside. That's a whole other topic.

Linda,

So was I once myself a swinger of birches. And so I dream of going back to be. I