Cigar Store Portriat
It might have been the local beer (kidding) that found me making a portrait of a statue but the experience was strangely similar. While he didn't talk back the same process of exploring the face and making compositional decisions was nearly identical.
I responded to the "wrinkles" and the cowboy background with all the same markers I'd have had for a real person. I looked around to see that no one was staring at me like a crazy man and I started shooting as if this cigar store indian was real. While doing so, it felt almost real. I thought that it might be good practice for someone who is otherwise shy about portraits to get a mannequin or something to work out some of those issues. Practice portraits?! I've had crazier ideas.
Make pictures. Nevermind me.
I responded to the "wrinkles" and the cowboy background with all the same markers I'd have had for a real person. I looked around to see that no one was staring at me like a crazy man and I started shooting as if this cigar store indian was real. While doing so, it felt almost real. I thought that it might be good practice for someone who is otherwise shy about portraits to get a mannequin or something to work out some of those issues. Practice portraits?! I've had crazier ideas.
Make pictures. Nevermind me.
3 comments:
My first thought is, "damn, why didn't I think of that?" Of course, for someone who doesn't have access to a mannequin (or money to buy one), bribing a friend with beer to become a test subject for a while. Either way, practicing portraiture can only help someone get better. :)
I agree with Kat - seems to simple to be true. What a great idea. In the past I've practiced with self-portraits but there is too much going on to really hone a craft.
Thanks for the idea Clay.
www.flickr.com/grtaylor2
Nice - I would've loved to get a shot of you getting that shot :)
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