For Portrait Inspiration, Look to Real Life Situations!
Got to spend some great time with my 19 month old Grandson Christophe this past week. In a brief moment of irrational thought I planned to spend some time alone doing some watercolor painting. Ah, this was gonna be great. Time by myself. Painting. How long had it been? Finally I sat down ready to put brush to water, and paint, and paper, etc. Within seconds I found all my plans in disarray. Water and paint and paper were everywhere as Christophe jumped in to join me in painting.
What started out to be my relaxing painting time turned out to be, instead, an inspired portrait concept!
Now! Before you say anything, I haven’t shot a finished portrait yet, the video was to record the idea. Notice that at many points, we could have captured a still shot that his Mom would have absolutely loved! That’s ”emotional impact”
I recognized the opportunity to create a real life portrait, or at least the inspiration for one. I gave him a brush about as long as he is tall, showed him how to dip it in water, then paint, and put it to paper. This little guy was ex-cited! Brush in the water, water all over the table, then to paint, then to paper. Those strokes! Oh My, what determined brush strokes a little 19 month old boy can make as he excitedly discovers……PAINT!
These unplanned moments are the real portrait moments of life. Moments when we see the process of living life acted out as uniquely real as we each are. They happen when we let kids, ( adult kids too! ) just be kids! I knew I had to capture this painting session idea. Wouldn’t you know it. My Canon DSLR decided not to work. Fortunately my Android phone did work. I started shooting stills and videos while Christophe painted his heart out. ..
Emotional impact is the magic ingredient that adds tremendous value to a portrait. It is the capturing of a real life magical moment as it unfolds that creates emotional impact and adds value that is priceless. To create great value in a portrait, capture great moments! Capture the magical moments! Moments that illustrate the emotional connection of the subject with what s(he) whatever he or she is focused on. Images like these are priceless. They have “emotional impact.” These portraits really do speak volumes. They are heart warming and soulful moments.
When I look at this video on my phone, I am moved emotionally because this is my grandson. I see numerous things that affect me emotionally. But, I want a print of this scene on my wall somewhere. I want to remember this moment and think of Christophe, my first grandchild, every day by seeing this print on my wall. Next, I will attempt to stage this scene again, shooting a technically better image that is lit well, with good tone control and a non distracting image. I want to re do it as a well designed image. He was wanting to paint with me on the morning they left to go home otherwise I would have a finished portrait image here for you to see. I will do a finished portrait of this idea soon and let you know when it is up here to view.
Have a happy new year!
Michael