Soft light or strong light for model?

[Joan Breckwoldt]

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

You are right, Joan, there is no correct answer. If the light moves you, go with it. Just be constantly on the lookout for a beautifully lit subject and then, if you can't take a photo right at that moment, try to replicate the light for your painting.

Hi Alexandra,

I apologize for taking so long to thank you for your post. You help reinforce the fact that I can pretty much try what I like. I'm a 'rules' person and I like having rules . . . but I realize once I learn the rules (not that I have) then they can be broken.

In the samples I posted at the beginning of this thread, the girl with glasses was shot with artificial light in the studio where I take lessons. I'm going to look next classperiod at what kind of lights are being used. The photo of my son was taken indoors with a combination of weak artificial light and some light coming in a window.

I am beginning to understand that the subtle/soft light transitions can be desirable. Now I just need to paint them convincingly. As I said before, they're my biggest challenge.

I spent some time with my camera's manual and came up with what I think is a good reference photo of my daughter. I only wish I had dragged along some kind of backdrop, oh well.

Here it is:

Joan