Next model, another niece
 

I am so fortunate to have over twenty nieces and nephews (now that many of them are getting married the numbers are growing!). and to me they are all beautiful. This is Sarah, she herself is an artist, and very talented. It has taken me two years to get her to do a photo shoot for me. The camera LOVES her. Please, help me choose!! The last pic is Sarah with my sister. I wish it were not blurry. I may do a drawing of this one, call it Bluebird of Happiness!!

Patricia,
I love that last picture! Yes, you must do something with that one.
As far as the first two, I'll just share my impressions about them. The first one is bolder and has a very contemporary feel to it. The second feels more subdued, classical. I like the light in the second one better because there seems to be a wider variance of light to shadow. I was looking at this book that Phaidon put out called "500 Self-portraits" and there are so many ideas for composition and style. Is it possible to think about combining the two photos and doing a montage? I don't know what kind of art she does, but possibly letting her style of art inspire your choice of photo?

More of Sarah
 

A few more...
The last one is the image my sisters wanted me to use for a portrait, too bad the lighting is wrong it is a great image of her! Unfortunately I have to get my sis to sit for me again, as I lighted her wrong and took pics at bad angle. Still so much to learn!!!

Hi Brenda,
Thanks for looking. I can't decide between one and two. I think I like the color in one better and I too, think it has a contemporary feel which is more in line with Sarah. But I do love the second one, for the same reasons you mentioned, better lighting and classic. I may just have to do all of them! I will have to check out the book you mentioned. Sounds great!

Pat,
I would go for something like this.
Allan

Allan,
You are a wiz with Photoshop arent you!! Thanks for doing that for me. I was not sure what I was going to do for the background, but this is a good idea. I know I am going to keep it simple because I am just too new to all of this to put in a difficult background, at this stage!

Hi Pat, hope you don't mind my 2 cents. I also like the contemporary feel of the first one. I would soften the bottom eyelashes tho, not the strong separated look that it has. I would'nt lighten them, as she has made them part of her persona, but kinda smudge them together, but keep the contrast.

The second does'nt feel like her (i'm just reading into it, not like I know her), it feels as if she's posing to how she thinks YOU want her to pose, not being herself.

If the purpose is to do a portrait of her, not just a face, I'd avoid that one, but then again, you know her more than me! The stars on her chest would have been a nice addition to the composition working together with the piercings. Move up the middle star or drop her blouse a bit so they're not sharing the same line. Here's an example of a Photo-"chopped" image, faded off towrds the bottom. Hope it helps.

I was hoping to solicite your help, Jimmie, by enticing you with tattoos! I like your suggestion and may go with that. Here is another pic I really like of her, I would do this as a drawing, probably not a painting yet. But I this this shot is REALLY Sarah!! I was afraid the face was not showing good value range though. What do you think?

The second and third ones I was drawn to, really reflecting her attitude also, but I don't like the chair, maybe just suggest it with a few lines???

Oh, and none of these backgrounds are intentional, I was trying to control the light, knowing my background would be blank in drawings and simple in paintings.

I like the shot, I don't like the hands. The lighting looks difficult, but your original must look better. I really like the second one. I would have liked to see the left arm come up so both hands are visible. My favorite of the bunch so far.

Pat,

I like photo number one, because it will allow you to really show her piercing. As the shot gets farther away, the piercing won't stand out and won't read as well once painted.

I would go with Allan's suggestion. In fact, just to add my thoughts i realized she has a long beautiful neck.
I was wondering if you'd thought about painting her semi-profil pose, a small angle change from Allan's choice photo, and do something like this...(sorry for the lousy cartoon as it was drawn using a mouse!)

I'm for accentuating her beautiful neck.

The last two ones are very good, but I would buy Allan's idea, specially because of the lighting and background.
A full portrait of hers would also be great.
Try different values and backgrounds, this not only gives you more material to work on, but the fun is worth of it too!
Good luck!

Thanks for all the Good Advice! You helped me think on allot of things last night as I sketched out some thoughts. In the end I am going with my instincts for the painting and using image one: I love how closely cropped it is because it gives it a contemporary feel and as Enzie said, shows her piercings real well, which only adds to the modernity of it. The color is best in this photo (on my monitor it is better than what you see ere). I am also very attracted to the negative shapes in this first composition, taking out the background "noise" completely and just going with a simple background - not sure what color to use yet, any suggestions?? In the end I am hoping for a little portrait which people might comment she is breathing!! you want to touch her skin, etc.! Hey, a student has her dreams also!!!

As far as drawings go, I like so many of them, that I will probably be using several of these for drawings, maybe come out with a lovely series...dreaming again!

Wish me luck as I start on this Friday. If I have any good results will post my progress...

I am alway encouraged to get feedback from my artist colony here - thank you so much.