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Marvin Mattelson · 07-09-2002, 11:20 PM

Renee,

I agree that your son is very handsome. There are several things you should be aware of if you want others to appreciate how handsome he really is.

When you move in close to your subject with a normal or wide angle lens in order to fill the frame, you will exaggerate the perspective. If you shoot up or down, the perspective seems even more exaggerated. In your photo, the top of your son's head looks disproportionately large. If you are using a 35 mm camera you should use a lens of about 100 mm to avoid this problem.

In order to achieve three-dimensional form, you should have a range of values which includes an average shadow value that is darker than the overall value of the light. In your photo, the cool light is filling in your shadows, which in turn flattens the form. The effect is one of a double light source, a form flattening no-no. Form is 80% value and 20% color. Even if a photo looks good as a photo, it may not be adequate as a reference for a painting.

Oft times natural light may not be the most flattering or informative. There is a reason that portrait painters have traditionally used the controlled environment of their studios to manage their natural light. On top of this, you need to have a value ratio between light and shadow that allows for the tonal detail in both to be registered on the film. Finally, you need to have the film properly exposed.

Once you have these aspects mastered, then you can concentrate on pose and expression. Is this easy? Hardly. If you want to be an expert painter, then you need to be an expert at every process you rely on to support your painting.

As that obnoxious English woman on TV says,

07-09-2002, 11:20 PM	#8
Marvin Mattelson SOG Member FT Professional '04 Merit Award PSA '04 Best Portfolio PSA '03 Honors Artists Magazine '01 Second Prize ASOPA Perm. Collection- Ntl. Portrait Gallery Perm. Collection- Met Leads Workshops Joined: May 2002 Location: Great Neck, NY Posts: 1,093	Some suggestions Renee, I agree that your son is very handsome. There are several things you should be aware of if you want others to appreciate how handsome he really is. When you move in close to your subject with a normal or wide angle lens in order to fill the frame, you will exaggerate the perspective. If you shoot up or down, the perspective seems even more exaggerated. In your photo, the top of your son's head looks disproportionately large. If you are using a 35 mm camera you should use a lens of about 100 mm to avoid this problem. In order to achieve three-dimensional form, you should have a range of values which includes an average shadow value that is darker than the overall value of the light. In your photo, the cool light is filling in your shadows, which in turn flattens the form. The effect is one of a double light source, a form flattening no-no. Form is 80% value and 20% color. Even if a photo looks good as a photo, it may not be adequate as a reference for a painting. Oft times natural light may not be the most flattering or informative. There is a reason that portrait painters have traditionally used the controlled environment of their studios to manage their natural light. On top of this, you need to have a value ratio between light and shadow that allows for the tonal detail in both to be registered on the film. Finally, you need to have the film properly exposed. Once you have these aspects mastered, then you can concentrate on pose and expression. Is this easy? Hardly. If you want to be an expert painter, then you need to be an expert at every process you rely on to support your painting. As that obnoxious English woman on TV says, __________________ Marvin Mattelson http://www.fineartportrait.com [email protected]