Young Woman

Jean Kelly · 08-16-2006, 03:40 PM

Hi all,

I haven't been here much due to my shoulder, so I've been doing some landscapes, thinking they would be easier. Ha, this is a whole new ballgame!

But, I'd like some feedback on this photo. I fell in love with it as it came up on the screen. I also have about 100 other reference shots that will help me.

What do you think?

Jean

Steven Sweeney · 08-17-2006, 12:17 AM

Hi, Jean, long time no see, and sorry to hear that the physical impediments are still in play. Also -- I've tried some landscapes this summer, thinking I needed a break from the "too hard" portraits, and what a shocker. I have a renewed, deeply felt reverence for landscapists.

I tried to capture your image, using two different browsers, to no avail -- not your fault, but the result of my dial-up connection on a noisy, semi-rural line and my antiquated software. I'm not going to do anything about either, as I'm gradually becoming a happy Luddite.

So I'll have to just use words to say that I would definitely not try to produce a painting from this photograph. It simply cannot pass even the initial "squint" test, which shows a dark, roughly human-shaped object in front of a brilliantly-lit background. You would have to invent about 80 per cent of the lighting to make this work. Better to begin with a better resource. Your subject is interesting and beautiful and deserves to be placed in lighting sufficient to bring out those qualities.

Jean Kelly · 08-17-2006, 01:04 AM

Hi Steven, and how are you? I'm surrounded by so much beauty, I finally decided to paint some of it. Certainly not as detailed as portraiture, but it's taken awhile to just duplicate green!

I've changed the exposure on this shot, maybe this will help change your mind. I also cropped closer so you can actually see more of her face. I'm not worried about the background, as I won't be painting it exact anyway. Can you squint better this time? I love the rim lighting in this, so please fire away if you think it will still be an awful painting.

Jean

Steven Sweeney · 08-17-2006, 08:16 AM

Using my personal limitations as my guide, I have to say that I would still have trouble making a satisfactory painting from this. The extremely narrow value range in about 95% of the subject would have to be handled more deftly than I could manage, in order to communicate a sense of form.

I understand the allure of rim lighting and in fact one of my all-time favorite paintings (I guess I may as well admit that it

Steven Sweeney · 08-17-2006, 09:50 PM

Now, twelve hours later, I'm looking at your second post on a different computer (Mac), different platform and browser, and different eyes (no lights on other than the monitor), and some of my "objections" or cautions are lessened.

I guess you'll just have to try it out and see what works. That will be the only answer that matters in the end.

Jean Kelly · 08-17-2006, 10:26 PM

I blew the photo up to a 7.5 inch head size, stood across the room and looked at it. I don't have to squint, just take my glasses off (instant blur) and I could easily make it out. I'm glad you took the time to check it out again, thank you!

Everyone loved this shot as soon as it came up, she looks so classic. I really want to try it, so I may give it a shot. If it doesn't work I should know quite early on, and will simply go with our second choice and start over.

At least you've helped me be more aware of the problems I'm facing with this and I appreciate your honesty. The background is blown-out in this shot, but I have others that aren't. When I was actually photographing it certainly was not this light. It also was photographed on my front porch, so all I really have to do is go outside to see the accurate colors.

My landscapes have mainly been of the view in my own yard. It was time to paint what I see everyday. Not as easy as it looks.

Jean