My New Daughter-in-law

[Patricia Joyce]

I am attempting a portrait of my daughter-in-law and I am having a hard time getting a decent reference photo. We have not had time to sit for a life drawing but I am hoping to get at least one sitting in.

I think there are two problems with this picture. 1) the lighting is really jimmy-rigged. I have ordered some studio lights and hope to be able to set something better up next week. In the meantime is this a good reference?
2) Chris is beautfil, she has very beautiful eyes, but when she smiles her face lights up, so prettily. I am so inadequate as a photographer in that I feel uncomfortable and think that the sitter picks up on my uneasiness.

Do any of you have stories or suggestions on how to improve BEHIND the camera? Am I the only one who is self-conscious with a camera? Funny, I do not worry about getting a drawing to look like the subject, I am excited before I start each drawing. But I DREAD the day I have to photograph a complete stranger!!! I have been experimenting on my nieces and nephews but they get easily animated with me because we know each other. How do you get a client to relax in front of your camera?

Perhaps I should post this question in the Cafe??

[Mike McCarty]

In my opinion you will find strangers less difficult than your relatives. You will also find that young children (especially those familiar to you) are some of the most difficult.

I would start with the simplest circumstance possible. This would be an adult in a simple three quarter head and shoulder pose. Do this indoor under controlled lighting, whether natural (which I prefer) or artificial. Once you have some success in this regard then move to half figure with hands and begin to move out from this center of gravity.

If you cannot find a subject, then set up a vase with an apple or orange. Treat these objects in a serious way, compositionally, background considered, defining form. You will find that these lessons will translate directly to your purpose.

Sooner or later someone is going to put you in to this situation. I say practice it on your terms, on your turf, and as often as you can without all the pressure that you presently feel. Like anything else, success won't come looking for you, and it is vary rarely accidental.

I continue to believe that every photo study done, whether used as reference or not, is a valuable lesson in composition and design (even a simple head and shoulder pose), and composition IS King. My best advise on the mechanics of this subject is here.

[Linda Brandon]

Hi Pat,

I agree with Mike in that strangers are frequently less difficult to pose than people whom you know.

I tell people that they're beautiful and this goes a long way toward helping them to relax. I never have to lie about this, by the way: there is always something about a person that slays me. Really beautiful people can reduce me to tears.

I don't like your photo much because I suspect that your daughter in law is a knockout and you haven't photographed her that way. Give her something gorgeous to wear and photograph her at an angle that lenghens her neck and highlights her eyes. Utilize good looking relatives - that's my motto .

Keep us posted, and best wishes,
Linda

[Michele Rushworth]

The camera was not balanced to the color of your light and that is giving you all these unnatural yellow tones. In standard indoor artificial lighting set your white balance (if digital) to tungsten. If shooting film, buy tungsten film, not daylight.

She must be taller than you since you shot her from below, which over-emphasized her nose, in my opinion. Next time you could set things up so the camera is at her eye level. Stand on a step stool if you need to.

I agree with Linda's suggestion that everything around her face needs to be beautiful too. Dress her in a lovely outfit, put her in a nice chair, and don't make her have to worry about holding a cloth up next to her face.

I also agree with Mike's input, that the more you shoot, the better you get. Shoot THOUSANDS of photos. (This is where digital comes in very handy. I shoot one or two hundred shots of each model I work with.) I'd concentrate on photographing people as much as possible for the practice stuff, though.

Ask friends of your kids if they'd like to "be a model". What young adult or teenager would say no? You can pay them a few dollars for a one hour session, or give them or their parents an 8x10 of the best shot as payment . They'll be flattered you asked.

[Michele Rushworth]

By the way, my first half dozen sessions with various models produced nothing but awful photos. Of course I didn't realize they were awful photos at the time and I proceeded to paint from some of them, but believe me, you will get better with practice.

You can grab a book or two on lighting or portrait photography from the library to bring your knowledge level up if you like, also.

[Patricia Joyce]

Thank you Mike,
I just read your post last night about how you set up in your home and your circle of control. How timely!!! I printed it out and will be taking all of your advice about setting up the chair next to a table in front of a window and charefully choosing wardrobe. I feel like I have a direction to go in now. It helped a lot that you were not talking photography-ese!

Thank you Linda,
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I find beauty in every single face I see. And my favorite past time is to just sit in a public place and watch people. Their animation is always fun to see - emotions rolling across faces young and old, male and female. It's a visual orchestra some days!! And I want to draw all ages, all races!!!!

You are exactly right, my daughter-in-law is a knock-out. I think I need to get her to wear something off the shoulder as well, she has beautiful neck and shoulders. Perhaps pull her hair away from the side of her face.


Michele, thank you, too! I appreciate your input so much. I had to laugh at your remark, "don't make her have to worry about holding a cloth up next to her face". That, actually, was my son holding up a sheet!! But, you know, just as awkward for her, I'm sure. Yes, I see now what you mean about she being higher than the camera, something I did not notice, but will change next time.

Your words are very encouraging. The idea to "hire" kids to sit for me is a good one. I am sure my niece, whose portrait is now hanging prominently in her house, has some girlfriends (14 years old) who would love to be my models!! I will let you know how it goes.

For some silly reason, I never imagined that any of you ever had a bad photo reference. I forget that you were once novices yourselves!!