Austin

Terri Ficenec · 09-19-2004, 02:15 PM

Hi Kim...
On the first one, I'd be inclined to do the opposite and move that line further to the left as I think I'd like the increased contrast of the dark behind the bright profile of her face... this would also keep that white side reading as part of the window framing...(especially if you'll be removing the things on the shelf)

On the one with Austin (I presume!), the bare feet would be cute... but it might be nice to show more of them. Could take him out again at the same time of day etc. and get some shots of just those bare feet coming out from his overalls?

Kimberly Dow · 09-19-2004, 02:30 PM

Terri,

Actually, Austin is the model! The little farmer boy is my son Jacob.

Thank you for the comments - they make good sense.

Kimberly Dow · 09-19-2004, 03:06 PM

Am I wrong for loving such a boring composition like this one?

Garth Herrick · 09-19-2004, 10:06 PM

Kim, why would you say this is boring? It's no more boring than a Bouguerreau in a similar costume.

I like the way the grass radiates in an almost sunburst theme around your son. It would be worth investigating if 3 or 4 inches added at the bottom would help the composition or not. That would include his feet.

Garth

Kimberly Dow · 09-20-2004, 09:40 AM

Thanks Garth.

I guess on the one I figured was boring I was just noticing a lack of interesting negative shapes. I do like that one and will paint it I believe.

I lose all sense of clarity when it comes to my children, they all look beautiful to me - so I have learned to question my own judgement when using them as models. I will re-photograph him - the little bugger is the only one hard to work with - he makes the most unnatural faces when the camera is pointed at him. I'll stick to just the figure part to re-take it.