Now here is where Lady Luck came in for real

[Patricia Joyce]

I have been commissioned to complete another portrait before Christmas - wow, this is a first for me, to have so many gifts to complete by such a hard deadline.

Anyways the subject is an 18 year old girl. To make it easier for her I said she could bring her girlfriend and I will take pics of both of them, thinking this will get her relaxed and happy and comfortable. Well it worked great, I think I have five images of her to use. But the bonus was her girlfriend. WOW, the camera loves her. The pics she is in are not the best but you can still see how lovely her features are. And her coloring is magnificent. She is very excited about my using her as a model, but I told her we have to get her parents permission since she is sixteen. I am so excited, I have so many projects in the works and so much I want to do for my own portfolio. Now, to find the time...

Does anyone have any suggestions about how to reduce the color saturation when I take the pictures. and although I was on a tripod and used a timer, some of the images were blurry???
Thanks

[Julie Gerleman]

Oh my! She is beautiful - I especially like the third one. I can't wait to see which one you choose to paint.

I'm not sure about color saturation, but the blurriness, are you using a digital camera? I've been messing with the focal point on my own camera and it seemed to make a difference. When I had it on "auto focus" it found the wrong thing to focus on and Bam! Blurry images. Maybe you could manually adjust it?

[Patricia Joyce]

Hi Julie,
Yeah, I like the third one allot, especially when I study it. I am actually going to attemp drawing the whole figure first, then try painting it. I really need the experience at drawing other than just head and shoulders.

My camera is a Sony digital Cybershot. I do need to spend time with the book in hand...

[Mischa Milosevic]

Pat, she is a lovely girl. I think you should make friends with this girl. She is your ticket and do what ever you can to hold on to her. She can make most of the portfolio for you.

Even though the shots are all good, I do not particularly like her outfit especially if you are building a portfolio of oil paintings. When doing drawings one can add a line here and there and wallah new outfit. Sure one can do the same with oil but we usualy paint only what we see until our imagination kicks in but that takes time. As a artist, you wish to attract clients with money. I suggest that you experiment with wardrobe with this girl. Hold on to her even if you must pay her.

The only shot I like is the 4th and only the head position and shoulders.

The 1st is a good shot but I think she is leaning to far back. You could adjust this in the painting.
The 2nd is good as well but would not include her left arm and maybe have a open hand under her chin. Still the fist gives the impression of strength that can work. Again th outfit does not giver her beauty justice.
The 3rd again good but her gaze and pose are not comfortable natural and again the outfit.

I hope I was able to help.

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Whenever I work from photos, I take at least 50 shots, sometimes 200 besides sketching from life. But I think you didn't take as many and didn't do any sketches, so I vote for the 4th one.

Have a good time.

[Patricia Joyce]

I agree with you completely. These shots were taken just because she came with her friend, whose portrait I am doing for a Christmas Gift. I will post those in another thread. Yes, she is eager to model for me and I will photograph her in a million scenarios with lots of wardrobe choices. I plan on paying her minimum wage, which she is earning at another part time job. I think it will be worth the investment.

Mischa, appreciate your critique on the poses and will keep them in mind when I photograph her seriously. I too, take at least 100 shots before I get one that I really get excited about, Claudemir. The more the better I can compensate for my limited photography skills!