Dan

Chuck Yokota · 03-10-2003, 03:18 AM

I am posting these reference photos for critique. This portrait could be made either a professional portrait (engineer) or a more informal portrait. Do any of these look like they are on the right track?

Chuck Yokota · 03-10-2003, 03:20 AM

Second photo

Chuck Yokota · 03-10-2003, 03:21 AM

Third photo

Chuck Yokota · 03-10-2003, 03:22 AM

Fourth (and last) photo

Josef Sy · 03-10-2003, 08:37 AM

Hi Chuck,

I like the 4th one the most. It is more informal, casual and he seems more relaxed.

I think you should ask his preference too because some people view themselves a cetain way. This is especially if it is a commission.

Mike McCarty · 03-10-2003, 10:21 AM

Hello Chuck,

The first three are a bit stiff. It appears that you attempted to take these photos in low light with the camera hand held. This is tough to do. If you don't have a tripod try resting the camera on a chair back or lean yourself against a wall. Even at that it's a hit and miss when you get below a 30th of a second on your shutter speed.

The last photo shown has a more appealing, comfortable expression but has two problems that I see. First the hand, this is not a good place to cut the hand off, a bit of a faux pas. Secondly, the angle you have chosen is a bit too high above the subject. Sometimes you just have to bend your knees and get down there to eye or just below eye level.

I hope you don't mind, I took your last shot and diddled with it. I love these compositional puzzles. If I only had these four pic's to work from I would do something like below. Just one guys take, good luck.

Chuck Yokota · 03-10-2003, 10:39 AM

Hi Josef,

Thanks for your comments.

Dan had a slight preference for a more formal pose in the coat and tie, as in the second photo. But his expression in the portrait is more important to him. He would like the sort of "alert and likeable" expression he has seen in other portraits. I think the fourth photo captures this the best. When he was in a formal pose, he looked almost painfully uncomfortable; the ones I posted were the best of many tries. I would be able to go back for another photo session if I think I can get a better reference.

Chuck Yokota · 03-10-2003, 10:52 AM

Hello Mike,

Thank you for your response. I like what you did with the photo. I forgot to say "digital demonstration OK" and I'm glad you went ahead.

I did take a photo that was at a little lower angle and a bit more zoomed out. I posted the other because I liked the expression a bit better.

Mike McCarty · 03-10-2003, 11:55 AM

Chuck,

If you go back for more tries maybe you can combine the suit and tie with an more relaxed pose. I think this combination can be very effective.

I would also encourage you to find a more controlled environment, possibly your home or his, but somewhere where you feel comfortable and feel that you are doing "portrait work" not computer work. I have places that I go back to time and time again. I think this gives the client a sense that you take your mission very seriously.

Create a scene that suggests your vision from edge to edge (should be done before your client arrives). Make it your goal to create a suitable photographic portrait, foreground, background, and in between. And then within this environment you can alter your pose. Do the suit, then do a lelaxed type in a sweater (not the business shirt buttoned up).

This guy has an interesting face, could make a nice portrait. Oh yes, get a tripod, you can find them at Wal-Mart for not much money.

And then if you really get bored you can read this post:

http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...=&threadid=958

Chuck Yokota · 03-10-2003, 02:26 PM

Mike,

Thank you for your comments and suggestions. I will work on incorporating them in the next photo session. Thanks also for pointing me to the thread on camera techniques for taking reference photos.

I was trying to use his computer area to indicate his work, but computers are so general-purpose that they don't evoke any particular profession. It doesn't say "engineer," much less "mathematical optimization of system architecture for nationwide telecommunication networks."