Help & advice for choosing the best reference photos for your portrait
Struggling to choose from your own photos, unsure which ones will be the better choice for reference, or are you taking your own images and would like some advice on how to achieve the best results which can be used for the reference image?
This page offers plenty of helpful advice.
This page offers plenty of helpful advice.
When booking a portrait, the reference photograph that will be used for the portrait is paramount to the outcome final Artwork and so I have put this page together to offer some help & advice before choosing your photograph for your bespoke portrait. This Artwork is created to last a lifetime so it is important you choose the right composition so you can enjoy your painting for many years to come.
What type of Composition are you looking for?
Head & Shoulders |
Full Body Portrait |
The 2 main questions when booking your portrait is what stance do you require and do you want a background too? The standard portrait I am most asked to do is the 'Head & Shoulders' portrait where the focus is all about the subject, do you require a background and if so do you prefer tonal or full detail? The other option is if you have that perfect photo where the surroundings compliment the subject and would prefer a full portrait, these are more effective on larger sizes and can make a real statement in a room. These choices are entirely your own.
With Tonal Background |
With Detailed Background |
What type of portrait are you looking for?
If you need help deciding what would make a good stance or composition for a portrait , simply take a look through this slideshow which has some great photograph ideas that would make the perfect portrait - It does not have to be a typical pose, if you love the photo for whatever reason, then it would be a great choice to go with.
Remember: the more detail in the photograph, the larger the portrait you can choose too if you are looking for size impact.
If you are looking to take your own photographs there is lots of helpful advice below, but if you need any more help, please just ask!
Remember: the more detail in the photograph, the larger the portrait you can choose too if you are looking for size impact.
If you are looking to take your own photographs there is lots of helpful advice below, but if you need any more help, please just ask!
Help & Advice on taking your own photographs for the portrait
Head & Shoulders Portrait
Fill the camera frame with the subject - Take in natural & balanced light - Take a collection of photos
|
|
If you are looking for a head and shoulders portrait, fine detail is an absolute must especially if you are looking for a large scale portrait. If you cannot see the detail when you zoom into a photo, unfortunately I can't either - 1 tiny mistake and the portrait could end up looking like someone else.
WHY PHOTO QUALITY MATTERS
Ipad image
|
Over exposed - Too much sun
|
Artificial lighting creates unnatural skin colouration - Image too dark over all.
|
If you are looking for a little help taking good photographs that will be perfect for your portrait, here are a few hints & tips. Good quality images are always a must for the type of finely detailed work that I undertake but I do understand that it is not always possible to provide such perfect photographs, hopefully though this page will help you on your way to capturing a suitable photo to be turned into a bespoke portrait that will adorn your wall for many years to come.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Please Note: All Artwork copyright remains with the Artist and may be used for future advertising literature (please read and accept the Terms and conditions before you go ahead with your commission(s).
Most Importantly: Please make sure you have copyright to any photograph(s) you wish me to draw/paint.
If you wish me to use an image that has been taken by a professional photographer, due to copyright laws, I require written permission from the photographer - the exception is if you have purchased the images AND the copyright of which you should have written proof - before commencing a piece, I will require a copy of this.
Please Note: All Artwork copyright remains with the Artist and may be used for future advertising literature (please read and accept the Terms and conditions before you go ahead with your commission(s).
Most Importantly: Please make sure you have copyright to any photograph(s) you wish me to draw/paint.
If you wish me to use an image that has been taken by a professional photographer, due to copyright laws, I require written permission from the photographer - the exception is if you have purchased the images AND the copyright of which you should have written proof - before commencing a piece, I will require a copy of this.
Quick Checklist
|
|
AVOID FLASH WHEREVER POSSIBLE
Using the built in flash on a camera usually creates very harsh and unnatural tones and effects for human portraiture - They accentuate the smallest wrinkles, create harsh shadows which can make facial features such as a nose look large, they can make skin and hair look greasy due to the bright light from the flash and they can actually change the colour and tones of hair, skin and eyes. Photographs of the subject taken in natural lighting is far better
Pure Flash
|
Flash and Artificial lighting
|
Daytime light in front of a window
|
As this was taken using natural light from a large window on a fairly bright day it provided ample and balanced lighting which captured a natural photo well. Filling the camera with the subject ensures the detail can be seen when zooming in and every freckle and tiny detail can be seen. This could be used to create small and large portraits too.
|
This subject was taken at a distance (and through a window pane) meaning once I zoomed into the image, all detail was completely lost and the image is now completely out of focus. I would be unable to take on this Commission.
|
This image was taken on a mobile phone which is not usually recommend but as it was taken outside in the shade of a bright day, zooming into the image still offers some detail, although a little flat. I would be able to take on this commission for smaller portraits only.
|
This image has been taken using an SLR camera on the largest format (3872x2592) this allows me to zoom right in to the photo and pull out the tiniest detail. The final portrait will be of the highest standard with large size portraits being possible too.
|
THE IMPORTANCE OF LIGHTING
HUMAN PORTRAITURE PHOTOGRAPHY
This photograph was taken using an IPad - the quality of these cameras are not great and makes it look as if there is a filter on the photo, although it has eliminated my wrinkles and took a few years off me, it is not a photograph that I would be able to create a lifelike portrait from, simply an impressionistic view.
MULTIPLE SUBJECTS
If you are looking to book a portrait with all your Pets/portrait subjects together it is far better to provide single photographs of each subject and 1 photograph of all together simply so I am able to gauge sizing. Without seeing the 3 dogs together as shown in the first image here, there is no way I could guess the huge difference in the size of each dog. Each single photo should follow the same guidelines ensuring the frame is filled, taken in natural lighting & large quality image format. Again the better the quality of each photo, the larger the portrait size you are able to choose (upto a 20" x 30")
COMPUTER EDITED MOCK UPS
I am always open to taking on a very specific idea such as this Commission shown here. This was a very complicated painting and I spent many hours searching for suitable images online and in my own photo reference library to be able to create this mock up even before the painting had begun. For bespoke Commissions such as this, there are extra charges on top of your chosen portrait size, simply because of the work that goes in, so please get in touch, outlining your idea and I can give you a quote. If you wish to read about this painting and the commission process to create it, click the image above to go to the LISBON LANDSCAPE page.
PRINTED PHOTOGRAPHS
There will always be times that all you own of your commission subject are actual photographs that are a little blurry or only have minimal detail. Although this makes the creation of a painting difficult at times, I may be able to work using a collection of images that you do own of them, to take something from each image and add it to the final painting. Obviously the end result is only as good as the photograph, but I do make sure that if I am working on a Pet portrait, I may be able to study the breed online, using other images to create the final piece, so all is not lost. However, human portraits pose a problem as I cannot do this, so the more images you can provide me with of the person, the better. If you only have physical photographs, you can choose whether to scan those photos and E-mail them to me (recommended) or post them (make sure you send them special delivery and always have copies in case they do get lost in the post)
There will always be times that all you own of your commission subject are actual photographs that are a little blurry or only have minimal detail. Although this makes the creation of a painting difficult at times, I may be able to work using a collection of images that you do own of them, to take something from each image and add it to the final painting. Obviously the end result is only as good as the photograph, but I do make sure that if I am working on a Pet portrait, I may be able to study the breed online, using other images to create the final piece, so all is not lost. However, human portraits pose a problem as I cannot do this, so the more images you can provide me with of the person, the better. If you only have physical photographs, you can choose whether to scan those photos and E-mail them to me (recommended) or post them (make sure you send them special delivery and always have copies in case they do get lost in the post)
BOOK A FREE PHOTOSHOOT
If you live in the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland area, or Chesterfield, Derbyshire and would prefer me to come and take some photographs of your chosen subject for you, there is no extra charge to the Artwork. If you prefer not to go ahead with the commission, but would like the photographs, I am happy to put the full size images onto a disc, allowing you full copyright to use wherever you wish (except for commercial use or monetary gain) for £50.
If you live in the Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, Northumberland area, or Chesterfield, Derbyshire and would prefer me to come and take some photographs of your chosen subject for you, there is no extra charge to the Artwork. If you prefer not to go ahead with the commission, but would like the photographs, I am happy to put the full size images onto a disc, allowing you full copyright to use wherever you wish (except for commercial use or monetary gain) for £50.
