How much 'negative' space is too much?

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

I'm tending to want to put more space around my subjects in my current work, too. Purely subjective, of course. Lots of empty space does make for a big canvas or a small head size, things that some of my clients would prefer to avoid, though.

Hi Michele,

Thank you for your post and all of your excellent suggestions. I think this is such an interesting subject, the idea of negative space around the model, I will be watching your portraits to see how you continue to handle this. I can see how this would be a dilema for your clients though, since not everybody has a home that can handle a huge portrait with lots of space around it and as you said, otherwise the head size may get smaller.

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

With the cat it becomes a double portrait . . . .

I have never done a double portrait and I've come to realize that a double portrait isn't just twice as difficult as a single portrait, there is some kind of exponential relationship going on here!

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

I recommend you use a tripod. Almost all the shots are blurry. .

That one is already on my Christmas list. Although last night I asked my husband about a tripod I thought we had and I had it in my hands 2 minutes later. It's a little 'travel' type that only does horizontal photos, so I will be getting a new one. But, for today's photo shoot of my daughter, at least I'll have one. Thank you for reinforcing that I do need a tripod.

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

I'd suggest that you might want to consider stretching your own canvases. It's not hard. .

Ughh, all that time. I have stretched my own canvas before and I actually enjoyed it. I even sized them with the rabbit glue and then primed them with oil primer. What a process. I did 5 or 6 at a time. I know my painting ability and I need to spend the time painting, one of these days I'll go back to stretching my own canvas. But for now I think that's putting the cart before the horse for me.

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

I also highly recommend you get Photoshop, or some less expensive competitor, and a photo printer. Maybe you could ask Santa.

Photoshop. I guess I should make that investment. Santa will have quite a list from me. I was thinking about a new camera too. I just got the Epson R300 printer and I love it. Though I can't figure out the 'tiling' method of printing out something larger than 8" x 10". I think I read in one of your posts that that's what you do.

Whew, that's a lot to think about! I have slept on this . . . for three nights now! . . . and my gut is telling me to keep this simple. Another photo shoot today (with tripod!) and I'll see what that gets me.

thanks again Michele,

Joan