PHOTO GUIDE
We are able to create art from most photographs so if your camera skills are limited or you want art creating from an old photo do not fear! However, the best photos create the best artwork and if you're excited to ensure the best results, here are a few simple tips to make your photographs spark!
LIGHTING
Lighting is probably the single most important factor to taking a good photo and creating beautiful art.
Use TWO light sources wherever possible. These are the key light (the main source of light) and the fill light (a secondary light source on the opposite side to the key light).
In the photo of the woman's back you can see the effects of the two light sources. The key light is very prominent on her left buttock, left arm and down her spine. The fill light is illuminating the whole edge of her right side.​​​
Indoors, Ideally open the curtains and use the sun or daylight as a key light and switch on the room lights as a fill light. If sitting naked in the window could lead to some issues, then use the room lights a key light and place a lamp to one side. Ideally, one light source should be warm (yellowish like the sun or old fashioned lightbulb) and the other light source should be cool (whitish like daylight, an LED bulb or a fluorescent tube). Again, don't worry if this is confusing, just use a lamp and your room lights.
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Outdoors, the key light is ideally the sun (otherwise just strong daylight) and the fill light is a photographer's reflector or a light coloured wall that bounces the light back to the model. Typically, outdoor light is beautiful so if you have to manage without a fill light don't worry.
POSING
For standing poses position the camera at mid height (level with your belly). If it's at head height your legs will shrink with distortion. Likewise with reclining, position the camera midway along the model's body. For best results the model's head should be turned to the side for a more natural candid look, rather than a glamour style of staring straight at the camera pose (unless that's the look you want).
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