Sarah

Mary Sparrow · 12-29-2004, 08:28 AM

Marvin and Chris, I have to tell you I was thinking about your comments a while ago and had to chuckle to myself as it reminded me of my children going to my husband for permission and he saying NO and they come to me after that no hoping I will give them a yes.

Kimberly, that is my sister in laws favorite, she doesn't like the Pearl Girl one at all.

Denise, she is in YOUR neck of the woods so why don't you do me a favor and run over and get both of us some great resource photos, I know she would be quite flattered! Otherwise, this reshoot will have to take place later in 2005.

Denise Hall · 12-30-2004, 08:33 PM

Well, Mary,

I guess we will just have to see what we can do about that! I do have my new digital which I am dilligently learning to use page by page. Maybe by next month I will know enough about it to take a good picture of her! I have found some great sites about using my Nikon 8700, which are cutting down on reading the manual time.

Denise

Michele Rushworth · 12-31-2004, 07:33 PM

Mary, I must weigh in on the side of those who recommend you not spend time painting from any of these. Time is your most important resource, by far. The facial expressions in all of them seem a bit off to me -- either grouchy or false.

I'm sure there must be a few other lovely young ladies in North Carolina. Grab one of them and shoot some PERFECT photo reference, with a subject who is exquisite and whom you just can't wait to paint. Create a GREAT sample for your portfolio, not a "just okay" one for practice.

Mary Sparrow · 12-31-2004, 08:20 PM

I agree, I am bagging the idea for now. I have plenty of paid work that needs to get done anyway. I got a whim, and that whim has now passed. But I will definately plan on spending plenty of time shooting her the next time she comes to visit. Either that or see how well Denise learns to use her camera

I did find one more "Pearl Girl" pose, but think I will pass.

Thanks for reminding me not to settle.

Mary Sparrow · 01-10-2005, 08:09 AM

It seems I have twisted the in-laws to come visit next month and bring Sara (without an h, she was quite upset that I didn't remember that).

So, with this lovely model coming to stay, I can do with her as I please.

Any thoughts, examples of really wonderful portraits of girls this age, or inspiring ideas on ways to paint her would be much appreciated.

Mike McCarty · 01-10-2005, 10:14 AM

Mary,

My advice would be to find that space which you feel gives you the best light and practice as much as you can before she gets there. Even if it's with a still life like we did once before.

One thought I had while looking at these photo's, and something to think about going forward. You should not establish the height of your camera (tripod leg's adjusted) until the subject is in front of you.

What I try and do when I begin with a subject is start with what you might call a benchmark pose. I set the camera height at something very close to eye level. I then like to set them in a simple kind of three quarter head and shoulder pose. After doing all the chin up, chin down, nose left, nose right adjustments, I then take a few shots of the subject with their eyes burned right back into the camera.

You could call this a sort of warm up for both you and the subject. You may have other objectives in mind as far as posing, camera angle etc., but I think it's good to always have a starting place and a drill that you go through. It's a kind of mental check list (it can be a literal check list), set tripod height, check lens for fingerprints, check ISO for current light conditions. All this while constantly evaluating the light on the subject, move closer to, farther away from the light source. These things become second nature after a while and require no thought at all.

If you watch a field goal kicker, a golfer as they address the ball, or an opera singer in the dressing room before curtain call, they all have a routine that they will not vary. It's not just superstition, it's setting in motion an established mind set which brings about a predictable results.

And more often than not, I find that those simple poses with the direct gaze are the ones that keep sticking to my fingers, defying the culling process.

Linda Brandon · 01-10-2005, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

If you watch a field goal kicker, a golfer as they address the ball, or an opera singer in the dressing room before curtain call, they all have a routine that they will not vary. It's not just superstition, it's setting in motion an established mind set which brings about a predictable results.

Nicely said! I think I will print this out, Mike.

Just wanted to add that in portraiture it is really important to find the most flattering pose and angle of your sitter. If you don't, the sitter won't like the painting no matter what you do.