"Nova" and company
 

This is Nova (no kidding).

I shot these this morning with my Nikon D70 at 640 ISO. I give this camera a lot of credit, I don't think I could have done as well with a lesser camera in these low light conditions.

I bought the vest, shirt and tie at Sears yesterday for about $32. Getting kids wrangled up for these events is work for a masochist. I have several other facial expressions.

I also took some outdoor shots that I would call a bust.

More Nova ...

And Ohhh brother ...

The younger brother was not my subject but I turned around and saw this and couldn't resist. I like the different angles and shapes. His face is not in clear focus but I think it could be painted. I could not get him back into this pose and he would not keep still.

And for you fans of flash photography, here is an apples and apples comparison of natural light and flash for the same scene.

OK, you have really got some great skin color to work with. If It were me, I'd go for the image of Nova looking at us over the back of the chair, including the hanging carpet just where it is. It wouldn't bother me a bit that part of his mouth is hidden. A nice square composition, ya think?

Mike,
I just love the first image, the lighting makes me want to draw the portrait right now! Would it be innapropriate for me to use your photo reference just to do a study for my own experience? It is a wonderful play of light and shadows across his face, especially the side in shadow.

I love it!
Pat

Mike,

I agree with Chris. It is really an unexpected composition, the kind that make people want to take a second look.

The first head shot is also beautiful, not the rug! It is a very tough call. However, If I were doing it I would go for the one looking over the chair. The hand positions are really expressive.

Chris, Sharon,

Checking in from South Texas, I feel the same way about the mouth and the pose. Even if you hate the idea you might linger over it to curse me. Love me, hate me, just don't keep walking by.

Ironically, it was my purpose to pose Nova in a blue dress shirt with a yellow bow tie. I don't have one single shot of him in that condition. The one behind the chair is with the yellow bow tie.

You really have to be flexible with these wild eyed youngins. He was particularly fascinated by my staircase and would rather have been running up and down. When his mother was chasing the little one in the other room I told him that if he didn't be still for five minutes I was going to rip his heart out and feed it to the dog. He then went from showing me his missing teeth to the more serious look.

Patricia,

I'm flattered that you like my photo. It's probably not a good precedent to give it up in that way. I would much rather help you to get your own great reference shot.

Mike,

I also like the one of Nova behind the chair, nice movement around the canvas, and so typical for a little boy. Even though restrained, he's still ready for trouble any minute. Between the rug and the chair you have your work cut out for you, not to mention the portrait itself.

Jean

Ha ha! I thought I detected a look of abject terror in those shots...

That's so funny. I can totally relate. Even puppies are easier to photograph than wiggly less-than-cooperative kids.

Ah, I completely understand! I can't wait to see your painting!!!

A lot of nice shots here! I suppose which one you choose would depend on the purpose of these photos.

Is this a commission? In that case, if you have a fairly sophisticated client they may choose the one with the arms draped over the chair and not mind that part of his face isn't visible. I think that this one is definitely the most interesting composition, artistically speaking. If it was my child, that's the one I'd paint for myself. However, I don't think any of the clients I've had would have chosen that shot of their son.

Because of that factor I would think twice about creating a painting from this photo if it was primarily intended as a sample for my portfolio. I study the portraits I see on the SOG sites of artists whose work I admire and I haven't seen any compositions as adventurous as this one.

There is another good reason, though, for painting from the photo with the arms draped over the chair: competitions. From what I've seen, the artist-judges for the major competitions consistently choose portraits that are more creative than what I think most clients would go for.

Mike, see how his eyes are slightly crossed in Nova's three-quarter pose? This seems to happen a lot with sitters in this angle when I take photos. I think that it has to do with looking over the nose bridge. Which eye would you move around to make him focus on the viewer, or would you leave it like this?

Michele,

It's not a commission, and I wouldn't argue to hard against your analysis. I like the first one and the one behind the chair. I would do this chair composition for the argument you make about competitions (I guess we have to be presumptuous about our chances) and I think it might surprise you with regards to it's value as a commission piece. It's a judgment call, I think I would take the gamble.

Linda,

I think it's genetic, this is his mother, the lady I photographed a while back with the violin. I would copy his (and her) right eye. I think it is more open and awake looking.