White Dress

[Matthew Severson]

I can't make up my mind about this one. I don't think the lighting on the face is right, the white dress might be a little too much, and the hidden hands might present some confusion about what is holding her dress up.

I'm tempted to make this into a drawing instead of a painting, or perhaps a pastel -- Chris Saper style.

Matt

P.S. The image is a bit cropped because I had to adjust it to fit the size requirements.

[Michele Rushworth]

Matt, I think you already hit on the major issues I also see with this photo.

The lighting on the face, the confusion the viewer will have trying to "read" what's going on with the dress and hands, etc.

I wouldn't spend much time painting this one, or even making a drawing from it. Interesting snapshot, but not a great portrait, in my opinion.

[Matthew Severson]

I completely agree, although I'm not giving up trying to get a good reference of this little girl. Do most professional artists have such a difficult time getting their hands on good reference photos? I have so many people wanting me to do portraits of their children, then taking out a 4" x 3" Sears Studio photo from their purse/wallet. *What are these people trying to do to me*

Matthew

[Mike McCarty]

Matthew,

Remember when you are photographing little people, bend your knees and get down there with them. It's easy to forget and take a picture of the top of their head.

She looks like a real cute girl and might make a fine model for you. See if you can coax her indoors where the light is more predictable. And remember to watch your shooting angle.

Do you have a barn on that farm of yours? You can find some great light in a barn.

[Matthew Severson]

Thanks for the help,

Actually there is a barn on our property, but it isnt very pleasant..... How did you know I lived on a farm?... Anyway, I don't think this particular barn is a good place for a photo shoot.

Lighting-
Is this a bad place to discuss this?

How do you set up your model exactly, is there any natural sunlight involved? When using lamps, my photos tend to come out with a yellow, not so beautiful look. The reason I am forced to use lamps most of the time is because most of our visitors come in the evening.



Matt

[Matthew Severson]

I just realized that there is a lighting and photography board. I don't think i'll ever get use to all these topic areas.

[Mike McCarty]

Pleasant?

Suffering is what we're about. The most beautiful light will enter the most unpleasant places. But, if its all cluttered with rats and snakes, that may take the suffering thing a little too far. You would know best. You had mentioned before that you lived on a farm, nothing escapes me.

Is this a bad place to discuss this?

This is a fine place to discuss these matters, especially when you have specific examples as you have shown here. Theoretical stuff might be best discussed in a different section like the one I have shown below.

The reason I am forced to use lamps most of the time is because most of our visitors come in the evening.

There are all sorts of artificial studio light set ups, but I sense your not quite ready for that direction. If low light is your only alternative try converting your artificaially lit subjects to black and white. All you have then is values not temperature.

Find a daytime place, practice photographing a still life, and keep your equipment at the ready. When someone shows up during daylight drag them into your web. You can have them captured before they understand what you're up to. Tell them lies, offer them food.

You might read through this link regarding setting up your space and model.

Portrait photo tips in natural light

[Matthew Severson]

Hey thanks for the (link) - I devour any information I can get hold of.

Suffering is what we're about. The most beautiful light will enter the most unpleasant places. But, if it's all cluttered with rats and snakes, that may take the suffering thing a little too far.

Actually snakes and rats would be a relief after you've battled the 12 nests of hornets.