Image Guidelines
We’ve all been there, trying to get that perfect photo. However don’t worry, a little knowledge can go a long way to achieving that goal.
If you already have a few reference photos and want to make sure they will make a great reference photo here is a simple checklist of the things I’m looking for:
Good Lighting – is your picture light enough to see the subject?
Details – are the details on your portraits sharp and clear?
Distance – is your subjects too far away and hard to see?
Unfiltered – Filters make it hard to see the true coloring of the person.
Unfit Reference Images
What Makes These Images Unfit?
- Underexposed
- Unable to see eyes
- Lack of details
- Can’t see entire face
- Blurry Photo
- Not taken at eye level
- B&W is Limiting
- Artifacts are visible due to…
- Being a photo of a picture
Great Reference Images
What Makes These Images Great?
- Good Lighting
- Eye-contact
- UnFiltered
- Natural Lighting
- Hi-Res and Detailed
- Minimal Background
- Full head Visible
- Minimal Background
- Hi-Res and Detailed
Tips for Taking and finding a Reference Photo
Skip the Filter and Scan The Photo
Taking good-quality photographs can be difficult. However, if you take a good-quality picture, skip the filter. Adding filters can make it confusing for the artist to get an accurate representation of the authentic coloring of the subject. Especially the artist has never met or seen the person before.
It’s also significant to make sure the photo you send is a digital file. It can be challenging to work with a “picture of a picture.” The reflections and shadows can often get in the way of the actual photo. I suggest sending the original digital file or scanning the physical copy you have.
However, I understand it’s not always possible to retake the photo. Especially if the timing is off. If this is the case, email me, and we can work something out. I often work with these sorts of situations on photoshop for a additional fee. Calculate the price addition for photoshop retouching >> Cost Calculator
Taking a Photo with Natural Lighting
To get natural lighting take the photo of your subjects outdoors or near a window. It is best to not use your cameras flash. The best lighting is outside on a bright but overcast day, with the light source behind you. For indoor photos try to take your picture with the morning sun. Have your back against the window with the subject facing towards you.
Use a tripod
Have shaky hands? I definitely do. Working with a tripod can really make a difference. It helps stabilize the camera to avoid blur and oddly cropped photos. Also you can put the camera on self timer if you want to jump in with your subjects.
If you have no tripod, make a DIY one! There are numerous ways to do that. Here is a how to by Fix The Photo
Be Close to your Subject
I love receiving reference photos from a DSLR, but taking photos from a smart phone is just fine! The biggest thing you can do to improve the quality of the image isn’t getting better equipment, it’s standing closer to your subject.
Take a Photo with eye Contact at eye level
Unless you want the subjects eyes to be gazing away to the distance. Eye contact often gives personality to the subject. When subject is squinting, blinking or looking off into a corner a lot of connection is lost to the viewer.
However if artistically you want to show the subject with a nontraditional gaze I can totally add this to the piece. Historically interesting messages can be symbolized through different kinds of eye contact.
If you are still struggling for photographs you are welcome to set up an arrangement where I take your photos (depending on where you live) but if travelling is involved that would be at your expense. contact me to arrange this service.
Not sure whether your images will work?
Image Guidelines
We’ve all been there, trying to get that perfect photo. However don’t worry, a little knowledge can go a long way to achieving that goal.
If you already have a few reference photos and want to make sure they will make a great reference photo here is a simple checklist of the things I’m looking for:
Good Lighting – is your picture light enough to see the subject?
Details – are the details on your portraits sharp and clear?
Distance – is your subjects too far away and hard to see?
Unfiltered – Filters make it hard to see the true coloring of the person.
Unfit Reference Images
What makes these images unfit?
- Underexposed
- Unable to see eyes
- Lack of details
- Can’t see entire face
- Blurry Photo
- Not taken at eye level
- B&W is Limiting
- Artifacts are visible due to…
- Being a photo of a picture
Great Reference Images
What makes these images great?
- Good Lighting
- Eye-contact
- UnFiltered
- Natural Lighting
- Hi-Res and Detailed
- Minimal Background
- Full head Visible
- Minimal Background
- Hi-Res and Detailed
Tips for Taking and finding a Reference Photo
Skip the Filter and Scan The Photo
Taking good-quality photographs can be difficult. However, if you take a good-quality picture, skip the filter. Adding filters can make it confusing for the artist to get an accurate representation of the authentic coloring of the subject. Especially the artist has never met or seen the person before.
It’s also significant to make sure the photo you send is a digital file. It can be challenging to work with a “picture of a picture.” The reflections and shadows can often get in the way of the actual photo. I suggest sending the original digital file or scanning the physical copy you have.
However, I understand it’s not always possible to retake the photo. Especially if the timing is off. If this is the case, email me, and we can work something out. I often work with these sorts of situations on photoshop for a additional fee. Calculate the price addition for photoshop retouching >> Cost Calculator
Taking a photo with natural lighting
To get natural lighting take the photo of your subjects outdoors or near a window. It is best to not use your cameras flash. The best lighting is outside on a bright but overcast day, with the light source behind you. For indoor photos try to take your picture with the morning sun. Have your back against the window with the subject facing towards you.
Use a tripod
Have shaky hands? I definitely do. Working with a tripod can really make a difference. It helps stabilize the camera to avoid blur and oddly cropped photos. Also you can put the camera on self timer if you want to jump in with your subjects.
If you have no tripod, make a DIY one! There are numerous ways to do that. Here is a how to by Fix The Photo
Be Close to your Subject
I love receiving reference photos from a DSLR, but taking photos from a smart phone is just fine! The biggest thing you can do to improve the quality of the image isn’t getting better equipment, it’s standing closer to your subject.
Take a Photo with eye Contact at eye level
Unless you want the subjects eyes to be gazing away to the distance. Eye contact often gives personality to the subject. When subject is squinting, blinking or looking off into a corner a lot of connection is lost to the viewer.
However if artistically you want to show the subject with a nontraditional gaze I can totally add this to the piece. Historically interesting messages can be symbolized through lack of eye contact.
If you are still struggling for photographs you are welcome to set up an arrangement where I take your photos (depending on where you live) but if travelling is involved that would be at your expense. contact me to arrange this service.
Not sure whether your images will work?
Image Guidelines
We’ve all been there, trying to get that perfect photo. However don’t worry, a little knowledge can go a long way to achieving that goal.
If you already have a few reference photos and want to make sure they will make a great reference photo here is a simple checklist of the things I’m looking for:
Good Lighting – is your picture light enough to see the subject?
Details – are the details on your portraits sharp and clear?
Distance – is your subjects too far away and hard to see?
Unfiltered – Filters make it hard to see the true coloring of the person.
Unfit Reference Images
What Makes This Photo Unfit?
- Underexposed
- Unable to see eyes
- Lack of details
What Makes This Photo Unfit?
- Can’t see entire face
- Blurry Photo
- Not taken at eye level
What Makes This Photo Unfit?
- B&W is Limiting
- Artifacts are visible due to…
- Being a photo of a picture
Great Reference Images
What Makes This Photo Great?
- Good Lighting
- Eye-contact
- UnFiltered
What Makes This Photo Great?
- Natural Lighting
- Hi-Res and Detailed
- Minimal Background
What Makes This Photo Great?
- Full head Visible
- Minimal Background
- Hi-Res and Detailed
Tips for Taking Photos
Skip Filter and Scan The Photo
Taking good-quality photographs can be difficult. However, if you take a good-quality picture, skip the filter. Adding filters can make it confusing for the artist to get an accurate representation of the authentic coloring of the subject. Especially the artist has never met or seen the person before.
It’s also significant to make sure the photo you send is a digital file. It can be challenging to work with a “picture of a picture.” The reflections and shadows can often get in the way of the actual photo. I suggest sending the original digital file or scanning the physical copy you have.
However, I understand it’s not always possible to retake the photo. Especially if the timing is off. If this is the case, email me, and we can work something out. I often work with these sorts of situations on photoshop for a additional fee. Calculate the price addition for photoshop retouching >> Cost Calculator
Natural lighting
To get natural lighting take the photo of your subjects outdoors or near a window. It is best to not use your cameras flash. The best lighting is outside on a bright but overcast day, with the light source behind you. For indoor photos try to take your picture with the morning sun. Have your back against the window with the subject facing towards you.
Use a tripod
Have shaky hands? I definitely do. Working with a tripod can really make a difference. It helps stabilize the camera to avoid blur and oddly cropped photos. Also you can put the camera on self timer if you want to jump in with your subjects.
If you have no tripod, make a DIY one! There are numerous ways to do that. Here is a how to by Fix The Photo
Be Close to your Subject
I love receiving reference photos from a DSLR, but taking photos from a smart phone is just fine! The biggest thing you can do to improve the quality of the image isn’t getting better equipment, it’s standing closer to your subject.
Eye Contact at Eye Level
Unless you want the subjects eyes to be gazing away to the distance. Eye contact often gives personality to the subject. When subject is squinting, blinking or looking off into a corner a lot of connection is lost to the viewer.
However if artistically you want to show the subject with a nontraditional gaze I can totally add this to the piece. Historically interesting messages can be symbolized through lack of eye contact.
If you are still struggling for photographs you are welcome to set up an arrangement where I take your photos (depending on where you live) but if travelling is involved that would be at your expense. contact me to arrange this service.