Babysitter portrait

Joan Breckwoldt · 06-30-2004, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

The daylight is probably angling downward to light her lower half and her top half is in shadow.

I think you figured it out when you said this! That must be what's happening, I don't know what else it could be.

I'll try her kneeling tomorrow. And I'll ask her to take her heels off. Either that or specialize in subjects that are less than 4' tall.

Thanks again Michele for taking the time to help me with this,

Joan

Allan Rahbek · 06-30-2004, 06:02 PM

Joan.

Perhaps you could try to reflect the sunlight from outside the house would give a stronger effect?

Allan

Chris Saper · 06-30-2004, 08:37 PM

Dear Joan,

Having just done some very exciting bedtime reading - the Photoshop CS Book for Digital Photographers, I have discovered that the recent CS edition of photoshop has an adjustment that can change the Kelvin temperature of the image on the computer, and therefore on the print. It doesn't matter whether the image got into the computer as film or digital.

So it occurs to me that you might want to experiment ,if you either have the CS edition or know someone who does. You get to "Photo filter" in the "Image Adjust" area.

Another possible solution might be to simply work from a good B/W print, and commit to either a warm or cool light source. You probably have enough color information to guide you.

Joan Breckwoldt · 06-30-2004, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Saper

. . .change the Kelvin temperature of the image on the computer, and therefore on the print.

Dear Chris,

Lucky me that you have such exciting bedtime reading! I find what can be done with technology amazing. I have yet to purchase photoshop but I think I need to buy that program. I am very happy with the poses I have and the shadows. I have been working hard to get good shadows. It seems when I get one thing figured out, there is always something else that I didn't get! I know, this makes life interesting and challenging.

It sounds worth it to me to buy this program if it can alter my photos enough to make them good enough to paint from. And if it saves me from having to reshoot over and over.

I plan to paint the model from one of the photographs I took. I'll mix up skin color according to your book and then do a study from the photographs on Sunday. When she comes over Monday I'll adjust the colors however they need adjusting. It'll just be a painting of the face, a study with color 'notes'. Anyway, that is my current plan. But it sure would be nice to have a photo with the correct temperature to paint from. I was planning on cool light and warm shadows since it's daylight.

Enough of my rambling, Chris, thank you for passing on your suggestion!

Joan

P.S. What do you think about the skin tones in that last photograph above? Too . . . . what?

Joan Breckwoldt · 06-30-2004, 08:42 PM

Hi Allan,

Hmm, that's a good idea! There is a lot of sunlight out there when the sun isn't behind clouds. But . . . what exactly do you mean? I did use a white reflector, just a white poster sized thick matt board to reflect light back into the shadow side of her face. Maybe I need a huge reflector board of some kind? Or a white sheet draped . . . somewhere. It's not immediately obvious how I would do this but now I've got the whole weekend to figure it out. My 'model' can't come over until Monday morning, then she's leaving town. So at least I've got one more chance to take some photos.

If you can elaborate on your idea, I would love to hear more.

Thank you!

Joan

Allan Rahbek · 07-01-2004, 03:34 PM

Hi Joan,

What I meant was simply to get the maximum light indoor. I imagine that this can be done by placing a big white sheet just outside the door, to catch the sunlight like a mirror and reflect it into the room. This will bee like a big soft lamp.

If the door is open, the effect will be stronger.

Allan

Joan Breckwoldt · 07-01-2004, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan Rahbek

What I meant was simply to get the maximum light indoor. I imagine that this can be done by placing a big white sheet just outside the door, to catch the sunlight like a mirror and reflect it into the room. This will be like a big soft lamp.

Thank you Allan, that sounds like a great idea. My windows (actually 2 french doors) face south and I think I could get a lot of light to reflect into the room. At least it is worth a try. Now, I have learned, it's not just light I need, but a way to focus and control it!

Joan

Sharon Knettell · 07-01-2004, 05:54 PM

I am not sure, but James Tennison (I think that's his name) has done some lovely portraits of younger ladies, some seated. They, I believe are on the SOG site. Notice how erect he has his ladies seated, no pouching stomachs!

Allan's idea of a reflector outside is great. I have a silver one I use to supplement the daylight from outside, but I also use a cut down sheet of silver covered insulation. It is about $8.00 and about 1 1/2" thick works just fine. Prop it up on a chair or whatever to reflect the light.

Young girls party dress, think debutant, country club.

Joan Breckwoldt · 07-01-2004, 06:59 PM

Hi Sharon,

Such good information! Thank you so much.

I think you have passed on some very helpful information about the material you use for a reflector.

I got the kids off to their grandparents and by that time I had thought some more about buying a dress. I realized that instead of being daunted by a seemingly huge task, I should look at it as an opportunity to shop for something special. Well, the only thing open this late in Houston was the Salvation Army and I didn't find anything there. Our church has a great resale shop and I'll try that tomorrow.

You hit the nail on the head when you said to think debutante and country club. This young woman, our babysitter, will be presented in December. When I asked her to model she had the idea that I could do this and then when she is presented, I could paint her again for her parents in her gown. (I don't think it's here, it's been ordered and is being made somewhere.) I don't know what the girls are wearing these days. As I said, my model is very preppy. But, I can find out. I can ask some of my friends with older daughters or go into any upscale shop here in Houston and get a good idea of what my models should be wearing.

All this seems to be taking me away from painting but I think in the long run will be very helpful. And it's fun!

I also bought a reflector lamp for the bulb I have so I will experiment with adding that light to her face when she comes to sit for me on Monday.

Thank you Sharon, I'm getting an idea of what my model should be wearing, or importantly, what kind of message or image this portrait should project.

Joan

Linda Brandon · 06-30-2004, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan Breckwoldt

I'll try her kneeling tomorrow. And I'll ask her to take her heels off. Either that or specialize in subjects that are less than 4' tall.

Joan, how about just putting her in a chair? That ought to lower her down and get her into the light. Get your camera at her eye level; if you don't have a tripod, support yourself with your elbows on a table.

I often prefer seated poses anyway, for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is that subjects often just look more comfortable that way.