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Brenda Helps

Portraits
Photography Tips
For Painting And Portraits
Brenda Helps.Com
Create Family Heirlooms and Treasures
with Commissioned Original Fine Art Portraits
by ... Brenda Helps
The Paint Spot.Net
                   Physical Likeness & Character Make a Good Portrait

We have all gotten lucky at one time or another and had a photograph we have taken come out
extraordinarily beautiful.  We have also had many more that were unmentionable.  A good portrait will
contain at least one element that reveals the subjects personality, attitude, unique mannerisms, special
marking in the case of an animal or any other features or traits that form the individual nature of the
subject.  To do this you must feature a common ground in the picture with the subjects mannerisms,
interests etc., and show the subject relaxed in most cases, (I have seen portraits of horses in a raring up
position that are very beautiful though unrelaxed), but that is one of the exceptions.
To see a toddler climbing into a wagon, a little girl playing dress up or a child with a pet and not be aware a photo  being taken can be an
awesome candid photograph for a portrait.  Don't hesitate to take lots of pictures even though you feel you have captured the shot you want.  
You may be surprised at how different photographs look  after they are  printed or cropped.
Adult Portraits are often more dramatic when the subject is looking directly at the camera, whether formal or casual in dress or pose.  Lighting
plays and important role also,  An in studio photographic portrait most often lacks shadows while for the painted portrait it is important for the
painting to have contrasts to create the 3D effect we want to make the portrait realistic.  Whether you choose a posed or candid picture to
have a portrait painted of, try to choose the one that best shows a good likeness of and the character of the subject.   In traditional portrait
paintings the subject is not smiling but this is a personal choice.

For me, pet portrait photographs have been the most difficult to capture all that I strive for in a photo.  It seems I need to take at least twice as
many pictures as I do for People Portraits.  I guess it is because they are not as cooperative during the shoot.  If you are considering a pet
portrait painting, I would suggest you keep your camera handy and take many  pictures often until you find the one that best represents your
pet.

Try to stay on the same level as your subject or sometimes even being a bit lower than your subject can dramatize and best show off the event
you are trying to capture,(see "The 30 Second Run" or "Cowboy Up", in "The Adult Portrait Gallery").