Kayaking Portrait

Terri Ficenec · 08-20-2003, 11:32 AM

I've just started on a portrait of my son below based on a photograph that I thought I liked, but as I'm putting the colors on the canvas, I am starting to see that his sister's kayak in the background really competes with the image of my son.

I am thinking that perhaps moving her further away (modified photo image) would help? Perhaps I should turn her around so that she is facing towards the right rather than both figures facing out the left of the image? I am afraid that removing her altogether would leave this big yellow kayak at the bottom with nothing to balance it. (And since they are always kayaking together, I would like to at least keep a suggestion of her there.)

Any other thoughts on the composition, before I get too far into this, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Canvas is 20" x 16"

Terri Ficenec · 08-20-2003, 11:33 AM

In this one I've moved her further away.

Elizabeth Schott · 08-20-2003, 11:48 PM

Terri,

I had fun playing with this, so you don't have to take any of it seriously.

I thought it would be better if his paddle was down, his eyes were open and the background less intense. I also tried to reduce the shadow areas of his face a tad. This was fun like a crossword puzzle. One thing I didn't do, but if I was going to tackle it, I would get rid of the black sandels and give him some lovely bare feet.

Please excuse the rough drawing!

Terri Ficenec · 08-21-2003, 02:12 AM

Hi Beth -

Wow, quite a lot of changes! Thanks so much for the time and thought that went into that.

I like a lot of what you did. Besides the things you mention, I notice that you also gave Karen in the back a more active pose by repositioning her paddle. I had planned to open Michael's eyes (using a different photo), and the softening of the shadows under his brows like you show will help to bring those out some and make his expression less severe. I like the bare feet concept too.

As far as the paddle goes, -- do you see that as a very critical element to change? I guess I was originally drawn to this pose because it conveyed a sense of movement/action that I associate with Michael when he's out on the water. He liked that about it too. But it does sort of cut the image right in half, doesn't it! I've gone back through the photos I took that day and none have him in a position close to the more relaxed one you've shown... I'm not sure I'll be able to make so much repositioning look realistic!

Do I need to go out on the lake again and start over? maybe on an overcast day? (I must say - it is somewhat scary to be out on the water, in a kayak, with a camera!

)

Elizabeth Schott · 08-21-2003, 09:02 AM

Terri,

I think what bothers me about the paddle position is it takes your eye to it right away, you want the viewer to go to his face.

The paddle could become a great directional tool for this, I think you could achieve this by re-positioning or changing the value, right now it is the lightest thing in your composition so your eye goes there first.

I would look at this as a figurative piece more than a portrait.

Elizabeth Schott · 08-21-2003, 09:04 AM

You could try a crop for more of a portrait look, but it still has more of a snap shot look, so keep it more fun and figurative!

Jeff Fuchs · 08-21-2003, 10:26 AM

If you're going to make a serious portrait out of this, try putting the kayak in the yard, maybe on a picnic table, and shoot several shots with various poses.

An action pose is not mandatory here. Look at Eakins' portrait of Max Schmitt in a Single Scull for a fine example.

Terri Ficenec · 08-21-2003, 11:04 AM

Jeff - I sure wish I'd thought of that in the first place! (live & learn

)

Beth - I agree that this is more figurative than portrait and I do want to keep it fun. I'm thinking right now that I'll finish this one for him, then do another more portrait-like one of him for my portfolio.

Thanks again!

Peter Jochems · 08-21-2003, 12:41 PM

I actually like the dynamics of the original photograph very much and I would take the opportunity to split the image in exactly in half by that thing he holds in his hands.

I don't see why this can't be a great portrait. There are enough boring compositions in the world already. GO FOR IT !!!

Peter

Terri Ficenec · 08-22-2003, 01:31 AM

Peter, Thanks! I think the dynamics of the original photo are what drew me to it in the first place. It's nice to know that someone else sees possibilities there too.

Beth, Though working with the original 'pose', I am incorporating most of your other suggestions and can see an improvement already! Removing the sandals and showing with just bare feet (just roughed in right now until I can get my son to pose on the picnic table

) made the fore ground much less distracting! I haven't got it done yet, but I'm hoping that toning down the background and the intensity of the light on that paddle (I'm thinking to be roughly consistent with the value of the kayak side?) will help to make his face more of a focal point.

Thanks again to all!