Two children - 10 times the work!

[Michael Georges]

Well, I thought I would try to help you with your photo. It is very dark and I thought it could use some work. I was not able to modify the parts you did yourself, but the overall tones are better here I think. I also sharpened it a touch.

If you send me your photo larger, I can do the same to it and send it back - [email protected]

There is a lot of ambiguity around the boy - how he is leaning against the wall makes him look off balance. You will have to handle that with some delicacy if you want to pull it off. The knee and draping hand on the girl are larger than they would be in life - photo distortion. I would reduce those parts about 2-3% and composite the image to reduce the problem.

I think that if this were a commission, then you might want to go for something a little less casual in dress and pose. However, since these are your kids, you can dress and pose them as you think will suit the painting and your lifestyle.

If you have the time, set them up again and try a couple more poses - you might come up with a better shot.

Hope that helps!

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Hi Michael,

Thank you for replying to my post. After I posted that pretty awful photo I wondered if anybody would respond.

I should have made it clear that this is just a 'test shot' and I like the spot where I photographed them, I finally got the shadows on their faces the way I want them. I don't plan on painting from this photo.

My next step will be to put them in some kind of clothing that is nicer than what they have on, but I don't want a 'formal' look. My son needs a shirt with a collar, for instance, and probably khaki pants. I'm not sure what to dress a 14 year old girl in though!

I'm glad you pointed out that my son's position is a little confusing. I thought he was sitting/leaning on the arm of the chair but he is so close to the wall that the wall may have been supporting him too. I know now to move the chair away from the wall so that's not confusing. I'll also either try to move farther away to take my next photos to get rid of that distortion in the knee, or reduce it as you suggested. I was on the opposite side of the room when I shot these already. Guess we need a bigger house.

So, once I get them in some nice outfits, I'll take 50 photos of them to get some good expressions and tiny variations on hands, etc.

Hmm, I'm a little concerned that you think this photo is too dark. I'll be taking the 'real' ones earlier in the day. That should help. Thank you for your offer to fix my photo, I'm hoping to get one that doesn't need fixing. (And my poor kids are hoping I'll get a good shot soon so they can stop posing!)

Joan