Advice please.
 

I went to a local Breton festival yesterday and managed to get a couple of photos of this very interesting man in traditional costume. I would like to paint him if i can but i have never really thought about composition and whether a photo is a good resource or not.

I have posted the originals and a couple of cropped versions, one of the problems I can see is his left arm and what to do with it. I am not used to altering an image to make a good composition, i usually just draw what i see in front of me!

Do you think they are usable? Any advice please.

Happy Easter Carolyn, and thanks for the early morning puzzle.

If I were given the above photos I would select the following. I would first resolve the left arm issue by dropping it by his side. I would then set out to eliminate the background distractions and attempt to bring him forward.

I think it could be nice to have some of the distant buildings and other compositional elements worked into the background, but it would take much more thought and manipulation from what you have here.

If you utilized a 24x18 canvas you would have a head size of approx. 5.6 inches (I don't know what that is in Europa measurements). You might be better served going to a 28-30 inch canvas.

The second is just a simplified cropped version.

Mike,

Thank you for the help, I would really like to have a go at this face, I definitely have a thing about interesting (wrinkly ;) ) faces, I think this one fits that category :exclamati

Carolyn-

Hi. I thought I'd try something else and see what you think. It's a little rough but I think you can get the idea.

I softened the background and took it more to the blue side to give some distance. I then eliminated a couple of people that seemed to get in the way of a simpler composition. Then I changed the back of the sign to mimic the color of the rose in his lapel. I also exagerrated his right (our left) shoulder to get it to line up with the roof line. Oh yea, I also got rid of the chimney coming out of his head.

His left arm works for me in this set up. What do you think?

I think Mike is right, I'd suggest a light background, just eliminating the other people.

It's a pitty you haven't taken photos from the other guy on his left arm, it would also give a good portrait.

Oops, I can't see it John, all I get is the little red cross :(

Carolyn-

I'm sorry, I don't understand. Do you mean my posted image isn't viewable except for a little red cross? If so, does anyone see the posted image as I can?

Curious.

I can't see it either John. You might try uploading it again. I looked at it and it seems to be within the parameters.

That's it John, I'm using the XP version for Windows and I cannot see your image.

Most interesting.

I have two computers, both macs, one is a G4 Powerbook with Safari for internet use. This is the program and computer I used to post the image which appears fine.

When I received your message and Mike's I checked on my G3 desktop using Internet Explorer and the posted image is not there.

I will try emailing the image to myself on the G3 and see if I can post it there. I'll let you know if it works.

If it doesn't is it permissable to email the jpg to you Carolyn?

Let's try this again, I hope it's worth it.

It worked now John, and that's what I tried to say in my first post.

P.s.
 

And I still think Mike's suggestion about the left arm and the flower on his chest is very appropriate.

Carolyn, I really don't think you can do anything with the arm perspective so I would crop it and try something like the following.

It could be a lot of fun with the lighting! Just a suggestion!

:) Beth

I really like Beth's cropping.

Me too!

I like the tight cropping too, think I'll go with that idea, there is so much detail in his face it doesn't need any background.

I have just spent the last two hours rearranging the office/study so that I can have my pc, hubby's pc and my drawing board all in the same room, now all i've got to do is get on with it!!

Thanks everyone for your input :sunnysmil

Beth's is a nice economical alternative, I like it also. Still not crazy about the flower.

I like the flower, personally. It adds another touch of whimsy. If you use Beth's composition I'd center him more in the frame a bit, though.