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Learn some skills first!
Karin,
I have been feeling the same way. I will not comment on many posts for that reason. You and I know how difficult portraiture is and how dearly won are the skills. Far, far too many of the posts trivialize this area of artistic endeavour.
I think it is pointless to comment on someone's first effort or otherwise done from a snapshot or a photo studio. If the person is serious enough about improving he or she should be told the proper steps to take to acheive their objectives.
They should be, in my opinion:
A: First learn the basics of drawing shapes in black and white directly from simple objects.
B: Draw from life until they achieve a modicum of skill in that area, and then only in black and white. Do not use color untill you have mastered this.
C: Learn how to draw drapery well.
D: Get a good tape or take a beginning workshop in portraiture, do simple heads over and over again from life. Find a good atelier or teacher, even better.
E: Learn, master and respect your tools, mediums and skills. A portfolio is not a series of copies of photos.
F: Master the basics of color, there are many points of view here.
G: Develop a point of view about your work so it is uniquely yours and you have something different to say and offer. You are not just another repetitious clone.
H: Master the aspects of photography that best serve your purposes and ends. There is nothing more tedious to a client than to be called back because of your incompetence, lack of vision or planning. Accidents and unforseen things do happen, or you think you can improve on a direction. That sometimes happens.
I: Direct the picture, do not paint the client's vision. Accommodate only when absolutely neccesary. You are the artist.
J: Visit and revisit museums for inspiration and study.
K: Continue to work from life at every opportunity.
L: Make sure your work adds to the beauty and harmony of the world and is not an expression of your neuroses or future landfill.
M: I almost forgot this. PATIENCE! I find so often we rush the process, hurrying to create our masterpieces,instead we create pieces that reflect our anxiety. We often mistake this for enthusiasm. We ignore and the time it takes to master the basic skills that are neccessary. The Japanese do not consider you a master of any art form untill you have apprenticed full time for ten years. I find humbling the idea that the world is not holding its breath waiting for my latest daubings.
Sincerely,
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