Which picture of boy?

Sharon Knettell · 05-24-2005, 07:54 PM

Also you could make the boy a tad bigger so his head does not 'kiss' the lower part of the curve of the back of the chair. In other words his head could come a little higher.

Garth Herrick · 05-24-2005, 09:47 PM

Jane,

I like the first image the best too, but I concur with both Mike's and Sharon's observations. A real pet would be marvelous. How old is this boy by the way?(he does seem too old for that toy), he may appear older by the perspective distortion. His legs are so big in relation to his head. If you get another chance, take the picture from all the way accross the room, if not further. The farther the better, to reduce distortion. I love what Mike did to the background.

I did some crude and clumsy perspective editing experimentation for you.

Garth

Jane Bradley · 05-24-2005, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the great advice eveyone. Unfortunately I could not get any further away to take this picture - I knew there would be some distortion - we were going to take more pics outside, but it was 112 that day. The father wanted him in the rocker - and the boy wanted his favorite stuffed animal - (he is in second grade) The only light area was in the kids room by this window. I finally talked him into a smaller stuffed animal, so there are other pics with that animal. I would like to take more pics but am stuck with what I have. I think your idea of substitution is a good one Sharon - if I use this pose.
I like the way you cleaned up the background and took part of the rocker out, Mike. I think that works well. I also agree that decreasing the size of the legs works much better Garth.
Here is a picture from the first shoot which was totally out of hand. The dog kept jumping in the pool and the father had to manhandle the dog to get him to stay in one place. The father was determined that the dog would be in the painting with the boy. In this photo I took the father out with photoshop - this was the best one we got with the boy and the dog that day. The dog looks kind of scary -

Garth Herrick · 05-24-2005, 10:48 PM

Geez, 112 degrees! I did not know it was possible to have such a hot day. It's a pleasant 53 degrees back east right now. How does that grass stay green?

The boy does look more like a second grader in the outdoor shot. His legs look the right size. I guess that dog is too big for the chair pose!

Garth

Chris Saper · 05-24-2005, 11:18 PM

Hey, Jane,

You have a gorgeous subject. I think you should reshoot under lighting conditions you control.

I love the light quality in play in your intial images, but the distortion is really challenging, as is the fact that his face is pretty evenly divided between light and shadow.

Shall we try to play in Prescott this weekend? My family is coming up Friday to help me set up - we'll stay with my father-in-law, then my sister in law comes up, and one of my dearest friends. Let me know where your booth is located. I am at the NW tip of the courthouse. And are you doing the quick draw?

Chris Saper · 05-24-2005, 11:19 PM

PS Garth, 112 degrees is for wussies].

Jane Bradley · 05-24-2005, 11:37 PM

Chris,

Unfortunately the kid is off to Europe. I was lucky to get the second shoot - the father is a very busy doctor who does not understand that doing a portrait is more than taking a few snapshots. I probably could have done better if I were a little more assertive - I am not that used to dealing with clients yet - especially ones who are hard headed. I am going to have to go with what I have.

My booth is 75 - Let's definitely get together. I am not doing the quickdraw - I probably will next year, but I didn't think to do it this time.

Yes Garth, 112 degrees is when we finally throw off the jackets here Arizona.