Good photographs make good paintings....
Whilst I will employ artistic licence to make your painting a success, there is no substitute for a good reference photo. Artists cannot just make things up if they are not included in the photo - e.g. how a tail hangs, what your pets ear looks like, etc. In order for me to do the best job that I can do, I will need you to give me some great photo's!
Here are some useful tips on how to capture the best photo of your pet.
Here are some useful tips on how to capture the best photo of your pet.
The most important part of the painting process is having good quality photographs to work from. Since the only reference that I will have to work from is your photo/s, the completed portrait depends on the quality of what you send me.
Please provide with the best photos that you have. Also try to send as many photos as possible so that I can cross reference for colour matching etc if the photograph I am working from has colour altering lighting.
If you would like to photograph your pet specifically for a portrait, the information below will be useful.
Mobile Phones and Tablets
Mobile devices are fantastic for capturing a moment in time, but most mobile devices do not produce photos good enough to use as reference for a portrait.
There are some exceptions depending on lighting conditions and how close you are to the subject you are photographing, but from an artists perspective it’s easy to see the difference between a photo taken by a mobile device or a high quality digital camera.
Non digital Paper Photos
Many memories we cherish have been taken using traditional methods of processing and although aren’t always clear enough for a portrait, if this is all you have (maybe the pet is no longer with us) you can send them to me in the post to my studio for a review. If they are suitable I will scan them into high-resolution images.
I will return the original photo/s with the completed artwork. After reading the information provided on this page and if your pet is still alive, please consider taking new photos with a digital system camera.
If you don’t own one yourself, perhaps you can borrow one from family or friends or ask someone for help. If you are local to me I will consider photographing your pet for you .
Just email me to enquire.
Positioning And Getting On Your Pets Level
Try not to look down on your pet when taking photos, even though it might feel natural to do. It's important to always photograph from your pet's level since your portrait will hang on your wall at eye level.
If your pet is small you may have to lie down to get an engaging photograph. You may need to place your pet on a table or chair to raise them to eye level. If your pet is larger then you should be able to take the photo at ground level – maybe kneeling down. Photo’s taken whilst standing rarely make a good painting as the perspective is warped and your painting will not be successful especially if hung at eye level.
Take the photo when your pet is looking slightly to the left or right of the camera. Straight on shots or directly from the side can make the animal's face look flat. It is always best to be able to see both eyes in a portrait so a traditional ¾ view is great!
Natural Lighting
Whenever it is possible, try to take photos outside in natural lighting rather than inside with flash.
Even though it is often preferred to take photos on a sunny day, try to avoid photos with strong sunlight or too dark shadows which would make the wash the colours in their coat and make the photo hard to read.
If you are unable to take photos outside, take photos indoors and place your pet close to a window with natural light. Some natural daylight will help you take a better photo and will be perfectly suitable for a portrait.
Fill The Entire Frame
If you would like to commission a full-body painting or drawing, try not to stand too far away from your pet. Fill the frame with a little background with your pet as the most important part of the photo.
A photo with the subject too far away on the photo scenery probably won't make a clear and sharp subject.
For a head and chest portrait, take a photo which includes everything that you would like included in the final painting.
i.e. where your pet is filling the entire frame without cropping parts - ears, part of neck etc.
If you would like a head and chest portrait and only have a full-body photo, I can only zoom into the head to see more details if the photo is high resolution as.
More zoom doesn’t necessarily mean more detail or information within the photo. I can only paint what I see, so it is best if I have the luxury of excluding details rather than having to imagine what things look like when they are not included in the photo.
Photo Size
Try to email me your photos in original size, downloaded directly from your camera. If photos are reduced in size they are less clear, sharp and much important information is lost.
The amount of pixels can vary depending on which digital camera you were using!
I can accept any large size image though email or dropbox, so please send them at their original size. If you don’t have the original sized photo and you are unsure if I can use it as reference, send me an email for review.
Email me your photos in original size
Please provide with the best photos that you have. Also try to send as many photos as possible so that I can cross reference for colour matching etc if the photograph I am working from has colour altering lighting.
If you would like to photograph your pet specifically for a portrait, the information below will be useful.
Mobile Phones and Tablets
Mobile devices are fantastic for capturing a moment in time, but most mobile devices do not produce photos good enough to use as reference for a portrait.
There are some exceptions depending on lighting conditions and how close you are to the subject you are photographing, but from an artists perspective it’s easy to see the difference between a photo taken by a mobile device or a high quality digital camera.
Non digital Paper Photos
Many memories we cherish have been taken using traditional methods of processing and although aren’t always clear enough for a portrait, if this is all you have (maybe the pet is no longer with us) you can send them to me in the post to my studio for a review. If they are suitable I will scan them into high-resolution images.
I will return the original photo/s with the completed artwork. After reading the information provided on this page and if your pet is still alive, please consider taking new photos with a digital system camera.
If you don’t own one yourself, perhaps you can borrow one from family or friends or ask someone for help. If you are local to me I will consider photographing your pet for you .
Just email me to enquire.
Positioning And Getting On Your Pets Level
Try not to look down on your pet when taking photos, even though it might feel natural to do. It's important to always photograph from your pet's level since your portrait will hang on your wall at eye level.
If your pet is small you may have to lie down to get an engaging photograph. You may need to place your pet on a table or chair to raise them to eye level. If your pet is larger then you should be able to take the photo at ground level – maybe kneeling down. Photo’s taken whilst standing rarely make a good painting as the perspective is warped and your painting will not be successful especially if hung at eye level.
Take the photo when your pet is looking slightly to the left or right of the camera. Straight on shots or directly from the side can make the animal's face look flat. It is always best to be able to see both eyes in a portrait so a traditional ¾ view is great!
Natural Lighting
Whenever it is possible, try to take photos outside in natural lighting rather than inside with flash.
Even though it is often preferred to take photos on a sunny day, try to avoid photos with strong sunlight or too dark shadows which would make the wash the colours in their coat and make the photo hard to read.
If you are unable to take photos outside, take photos indoors and place your pet close to a window with natural light. Some natural daylight will help you take a better photo and will be perfectly suitable for a portrait.
Fill The Entire Frame
If you would like to commission a full-body painting or drawing, try not to stand too far away from your pet. Fill the frame with a little background with your pet as the most important part of the photo.
A photo with the subject too far away on the photo scenery probably won't make a clear and sharp subject.
For a head and chest portrait, take a photo which includes everything that you would like included in the final painting.
i.e. where your pet is filling the entire frame without cropping parts - ears, part of neck etc.
If you would like a head and chest portrait and only have a full-body photo, I can only zoom into the head to see more details if the photo is high resolution as.
More zoom doesn’t necessarily mean more detail or information within the photo. I can only paint what I see, so it is best if I have the luxury of excluding details rather than having to imagine what things look like when they are not included in the photo.
Photo Size
Try to email me your photos in original size, downloaded directly from your camera. If photos are reduced in size they are less clear, sharp and much important information is lost.
The amount of pixels can vary depending on which digital camera you were using!
I can accept any large size image though email or dropbox, so please send them at their original size. If you don’t have the original sized photo and you are unsure if I can use it as reference, send me an email for review.
Email me your photos in original size