Child's photo

Jean Kelly · 12-22-2002, 08:19 PM

This is my next commission, a charcoal drawing of this young man. I've converted all to black and white to help see values. Please let me know what you think. When they came for the initial meeting I was not prepared to do a photo session, ( it was the first time we met) but got ahead of myself cause they were so enthusiastic. So please disregard the backgrounds, and any weird hair. We were just goofing around.

Jean

Jean Kelly · 12-22-2002, 08:21 PM

#2

Looking angelic.

Jean Kelly · 12-22-2002, 08:25 PM

#3

Jean Kelly · 12-22-2002, 08:31 PM

#4

Cradled on Dad's arms. I would simplifly Dad's clothing, a soft solid med toned sweater. I like this but don't know if I can pull off disappearing lines yet and make it effective as art. Dad's arms would have to fade to the top right, but it could be really interesting and have a lot of heart.

Jean Kelly · 12-22-2002, 08:35 PM

Forgot this, I know a couple are blurry but I'm not too concerned about it. I took 62 pictures of him, and all I'm looking for is that special light and emotion. There are many in focus with something wrong otherwise that I can use for features.

Jean

Jean Kelly · 12-30-2002, 06:45 PM

I'm bringing these to the top again in the hopes that someone will comment. My feelings won't be hurt if all are nixed. Initially the client brought their own photo, a bad, bad, bad, full face flash. The only reason I picked up the camera and took some pictures was to show them the difference between natural light and flash. Then I started to have fun and got carried away. I was hoping these might have generated some comments, but also realize the timing (the holidays) was bad. I will be meeting with this little guy again, so if all are bad just say yuk!

Jean

Mike McCarty · 12-30-2002, 09:38 PM

Jean,

Since you haven't got any help so far I will offer my opinion. Of the photo's that you've shown I would be partial to this one in this simplified version.

Jean Kelly · 12-30-2002, 10:43 PM

Thank you Mike. I like this one too, especially your cropped version. This helps, as the client likes all these pictures. They did want a smile, so now I'll have to wait and see if they change their minds or decide to go with the more "angelic" version of their son. I'm trying to guide them more in this direction. I appreciate your time.

Jean

Karin Wells · 12-31-2002, 12:30 AM

I agree with Mike that #2 is definitely the best. If they want a "smile" shot I suggest that you shoot some more rolls but it could be tough to top this shot.

If you do get a smiley picture...be sure that the mouth is closed. Do NOT attempt any portrait that has an open mouth! Don't even bother to show an open mouth photo to a client.

Michele Rushworth · 12-31-2002, 01:41 AM

I also like #2, though I would keep the hand and would have more background space above and to the right of the head for him to look into.

Number 4, with the Dad's arm, is too confusing, I believe. I had to stop and think which parts belonged to which person.

I like the expression in #3 better than the expression on the child's face in #2, though the blurriness and the limited information on the eye farthest from the viewer might be problematic.

I'd probably go for an additional photo session and see what you get from that. Nice light in these shots, though!