A guide to developing a good photo for your portrait starts with finding a good light source.
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Let's look at some lighting options.
It can be as simple as photographing your subject in sunlight.
You can also photograph the subject using the light coming in from a window.
You can use this inexpensive light source found in hardware stores.
An overcast day can bring out beautiful colors in a face.
​But first some notes to consider.
​ *Shadows on the face create depth and mood and can 'anchor' the portrait. Don't avoid them.
*Ordinarily a portrait with straight on lighting where the entire face is illuminated can be boring - unless the painting is about color. So if that's what you want make sure your photo picks up enough color. I'll translate that into more expressive color for you.
*Try and avoid a 50-50 ratio of light and shadow on the face. It seems to not translate well into portrait paintings.
But as you'll see below it's just a rule that can be broken.
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Here are examples of two popular methods of lighting for a portrait.
Above is a perfect illustration of 'rim' lighting. You can see the face is being illuminated, either by the sun or natural light or an hardware clamp-on light. Another example is the portrait I did of Spike Lee seen below.
Consider a light to shadow (or shadow to light) ratio of 1/4 - 3/4. So it would be 1/4 of the face in light and 3/4 in shadow - or vice versa. This example below shows 3/4 light and 1/4 shadow. It's a popular and effective way of setting the light.
Here's a real life example of that kind of lighting: the chef at Gonzo, an Italian restaurant in NYC
Here are 2 examples or portraits that are more about color than light and shadow. The one on top is my portrait of the former restaurateur Mario Batali and the one on the bottom is my portrait of former NYC mayor Ed Koch. Ed's estate owns the painting.
You can see that there is no particular or directional light source. These are about color.
Portraits are
$975 for 16 x 20;
$1225 for 24 x 20
$1450 for 30 x 24
I require a 50% non-refundable deposit
If you live locally, I would come by and take some photos.
If not, we would work together until we get the best photo.
I will start when you agree that we have the best photo to make a fantastic painting!
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Two step process
1) To commission a portrait submit your deposit and send a variety of photos in an email.
2) Submit your deposit.
Click on the Buy Now button
This will take you to PayPal where you can pay by credit card if you do not have a PayPal account.
When the page comes up put 'portrait' under 'description'.
Then put $500 in 'price per item' (do not add the $ sign).
Click on 'continue' then click on 'pay with debit or credit card', enter your information and click on 'pay'.
You should then receive a confirmation.