Portrait Artist Forum - Ariane Beigneux

Portrait Artist Forum (http://portraitartistforum.com/index.php)

- Resource Photo Critiques (http://portraitartistforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=43)

- - Ariane Beigneux (http://portraitartistforum.com/showthread.php?t=2736)

Ms. Beigneux is a CSOPA advisor and member renowned for her children's portraits with the painting knife technique. She has painted generations of children yet has never had her own portrait done. On May 6, 2003, she agreed to model for Karin Wells' informative photo workshop in Greenwich.

Below is the first of two images I will post for critique as a photo resource. Better resolution is available on request for direct email. Other attendees from that session are welcome to post their images.

Our goal is to paint the artist for later critique by our group. Forum members are welcome to participate!

Karin, we invite your comments!

I like the composition, especially of the first pose, and assume she has some connection with Paris, given the Eiffel Tower beside her.

I do think, however, that the lighting and overly saturated color in her face and hands is rather unflattering. This kind of strong lighting is generally best used for men. For children and women, especially older women, softer contrasts (a ratio of 1:3, if you're famililar with the photography system for describing lighting) and softer color in the skin tones is generally better.

Another very important tip when photographing older people: lighting that is somewhat more frontal is the most flattering. You need an angle that is enough to give the head a feeling of depth and volume, but not so far off to the side as to overemphasize their age. I think that's actually the most important thing that I would change about this set-up.

You can accomplish both these things (lower light ratio, and softer lighting angle) by moving her farther from the light source and by positioning yourself somewhat between her and the light source, but off to the side just slightly.

Here's a lighting diagram that might make more sense.

The light source in this scenario should be large (ie. not the small windows used by Rembrandt, not a small lightbulb.) A large window or commercial photography light box called a softbox would be best for this model.