Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with portrait

Tracking down a style of painting.

kristin — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 10:01:22 -0800

Animal head, human body: what is this style of painting called? Often done in oils, had a huge surge of popularity a long time ago, these paintings are very realistic looking human scenes (people in court robes, playing croquet, etc), but instead of having human heads, they have animal heads. I know this style of art has a name - I am looking for it, or barring that, names of artists that painted in this style.

A very modern example can be found here - this is a photoshop job, but the look is sort of the same. What is this style of portrait called?

Flash video in portrait?

jammed — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:15:03 -0800

Does anyone know any flash video site that supports portrait as opposed to the traditional landscape view? I'd like portrait view as default. If there isn't a site, perhaps there is a open source player that supports this (would I need to have the flash server to stream this?). Thanks in advance.

How to make a photobooth at home

katemonster — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:16:49 -0800

How do I take a photobooth picture at home? I love the look of photobooth pictures -- the old-fashioned, black and white, grainy film ones. I assume it has something to do with the lighting, and perhaps the angle of the camera. Assuming access to good photography equipment (including good lights, reflectors, backdrops, etc) and a willingness to acquire or build the necessary parts, how do I take pictures that look like that at home?
I checked out this previous thread which is interesting, but not really what I'm looking for. I'm not necessarily looking to automate the photobooth -- I just want to figure out how to approximate the look of the finished product at home. I'll probably be using a digital camera, and I'm not too concerned about the grainy aspect, but I'm at a loss as to how to recreate the lighting and the overall look.

How to photograph the elderly to be not just flattering but to show fitness and health?

andihazelwood — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:48:57 -0800

I've been commissioned to take photos of a 70 year old nutritionist and her husband, showing them "as fit and healthy as possible." Can you offer advice on how to do it and what to charge? At least one of the photos will appear in a magazine, accompanying an article she is writing on healthy aging. Here is a photo of the couple in question (not taken by me). She told me that she isn't really happy with any previous shots that have been taken of them with the same goal, so it's a tall order - especially considering I don't have any experience photographing older people. I have met her and her husband a few times but we haven't had a lengthy conversation yet, so it'll essentially be shooting a stranger. I let her know that I'm best at candid, outdoors and active, "real people" type portraits as opposed to carefully lit, sedate studio portraits, so we've decided on a 3pm shoot at the beach (it's 11 hours from now, I'm in Australia). I don't know what they intend to wear. I've got a Nikon D70 DSLR, an SB-800 flash, a tripod and somewhere around here I've got a gadget that will allow me to use the flash off camera but I've only done it once - normally for outdoor shoots I've only used flash as fill, and sitting on top of the camera. Through all of this the subject of cost has never come up and I haven't done many paid shoots - how should I charge for this project? Thank you in advance for your experiences and insight!

Hiring graphic novel artist to create portrait as gift?

commander_cool — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 14:42:41 -0800

Hiring graphic novel artist to create professional graphic-novel-style portrait as gift? My girlfriend's birthday is coming up, and I'd like to get her something unusual. She likes graphic novels. Is it possible to commission one of the professional artists involved to create a piece of display-size art, showing her fighting bad guys in court or something like that? If so, what should I expect to pay, and how do I go about it? Is three months lead-time enough, or should I be shooting for Christmas? Is there something else I should be asking that I'm not savvy enough to be asking?

Houston Photographer

LittleMissCranky — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 17:31:49 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good photographer in Houston? I'm looking for a good photographer in Houston for an outdoor portrait. I'd like to get in done pretty soon, and I can't really spend a million dollars. Anyone know of anyone good? Thanks!

Spot the stiff

handybitesize — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:59:48 -0800

So I'm way behind you guys on The Wire, watching DVD releases in the UK, but I having just seen the opening of Season 4 episode 2 I have a question. (Herc catches Royce in flagrante delicto). Herc then walks the corridor avoiding the gaze of the portraits lining the the walls. The final, lingering, shot is of a gentlemen that in any other context I would swear was Walt Disney. Should I recognize him? Is it an in-joke? and the others?

Shooting the mob?

cabingirl — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:50:54 -0800

Can you recommend a good photographer in the Philadelphia area who will come to an event and take a group portrait? My parent's 50th wedding anniversary is in June and we are planning a small party for family and friends in Delaware County, PA (near Philly). As one of our gifts, we want to have a portrait taken of our family. This is something my mom always tries to do at every wedding we have, and they never seem to turn out right because people are mussed up/sweaty from dancing, or the light's bad, or there's no good background for the picture. We considered getting everyone to a studio, but with 18 of us in the immediate family, it seems unlikely we'd pull it off.

So, can anyone recommend an event photographer in the Philadelphia area who'd be able to come to our site with the appropriate lighting, etc. and take a few portraits? We aren't planning to have them stay and photograph the event. Bonus points if you can give me an idea of what it might cost.

Yes, I know it's short notice for prime wedding season, but we can't turn back the clock.

A Question about Libel & Privacy Laws

interrobang — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:52:57 -0800

Does it become legal to use a person's image without their consent or knowledge, as long as you put a black bar over their eyes and don't use their real name? I cannot afford to talk to a lawyer about this. Alternately, does stop being an invasion of privacy if it's a drawing or a caricature? How about a drawing or caricature with a black bar over the eyes?

Help me be awesome.

heavenstobetsy — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:08:53 -0800

Where can I get my picture taken in this specific and hilarious fashion? Example here. Is this something I could do myself? Or is it possible to go somewhere and have it done in the Toronto/Ontario area?

What to charge for a portrait?

frosty_hut — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:37:45 -0800

What to charge for art? A guy I work with saw a painting of mine, and requested a portrait of himself. I did it for him for free--partly because I needed the practice, and enjoyed getting the chance to get my stuff out there. Also, it seemed like it might lead to other things, given I work in an arts organization.

So my co-worker liked the painting, and so far so good: now he's hooking me up with other opportunities. He says the wife of a local mover-shaker might enjoy having a painting of himself as a surprise on his birthday. He's going to chat with the wife, and he anticipates she'll ask for a ballpark figure for the proposed piece.

I've never done anything on commission, and frankly haven't sold much of my work. I don't really know what things go for, but I'm figuring I might as for $250 for a smaller piece, and $400 or $500 for a larger one (I don't know the canvas sizes by inches, but a large one would be not quite as large as a large-screen television. The long side would be 35 to 40 inches, I guess. God I'm lame!)

Anyway, I'm wondering what you would charge for an acrylic or oil portrait in a larger size. I'm relatively new at this stuff, and not well-known even locally as an artist. I'm uncomfortable with the money aspect of this whole thing. My DH says I should go for it--these people can well afford higher prices, etc. Advice from artists--and anyone else who wants to chime in--appreciated!

... but you're beautiful inside...

porpoise — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 10:46:18 -0800

I photograph very poorly. There has never been a picture of me where I like how I look. Pictures taken by other people, pictures taken by myself (tripod+timer, arms length), pictures taken when I don't know I'm being photographed, I always feel that I'm ugly when I see the picture.

Seeing myself in the mirror, I can usually stand how I look. Sometimes.

What are some ways that I can receive unbiased confirmation that, yes, I'm a very unattractive boy, or no, I'm not entirely fugly?

Taking pictures and posting them on Hot-or-Not doesn't really work; what with the whole I-don't-photograph-well thing. Neither does asking friends and aquaintances since they're obviously biased and I would not be comfortable stopping someone on the street and asking their opinion.

Any suggestions, please?

Do they own my son's likeness now?

peep — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:56:38 -0800

I just had my son's pictures taken at a national portrait studio that I'd never used before. The back of my receipt says, "[Studio name] reserves the right to use any portrait for advertising, promotions, and display purposes." Is this even legal? I did not sign ANYTHING at the studio. I paid in cash, so I didn't even sign a credit card receipt.

I have heard of studios asking clients if they can use a shot, but I didn't know they could appropriate your photos.

I realize "ask a lawyer" is the standard response here, but no one has actually USED a photo of my son, so it seems a little extreme at this point.

The whole portrait experience was a clusterfuck from beginning to end (way above and beyond the normal hellish family picture situation), and I was planning to write them anyway, and when I saw that statement it pissed me off even more. I'd like to include something about that policy in my complaint.

Looking for family portraits near Nashville, Tennessee

ZakDaddy — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 10:47:29 -0800

Can anyone recommend a good / reasonable ($) photographer or studio in the Nashville, Tennessee, area to take some family portraits? Getting tired of the Olan Mills / JC Penneys / Target / Wal-Mart crapshoot. Thanks in advance, all.

Where in Chicago can a beginner artist begin?

stance — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 12:52:10 -0800

Where in Chicago can a beginner artist begin? The artist asks:

I am looking for art classes, specifically drawing and painting, and more specifically, figure and portrait. I have no formal training (though I have some experience on my own, doodling pencil and dribbling paint), and I really don't know where to look. Help?

I came across the Vetruvian School of Art, which looks good, but I'd love opinions and further recommendations.

people painter. painting people.

fionab — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:52:39 -0800

Suggestions for portrait painters in Vancouver or San Francisco? We're trying to find a painter to commission two portraits for an anniversary present. The painter should be within striking distance to either city and have portraits in their portfolio. And yes, we are generally thinking of paintings, but should you know of a fantastic photographer in the same vein, post it here too. We'd like the paintings to be fairly realistic (but not that cheesy, hazy, black background) and also to have some soul and personality. Although price will ultimately factor into the decision, all of your suggestions are welcome at this point.

Other locales include: Durham, NC or Seattle, WA. Help us look gooooood!

Portrait of the Macbook as a river of text

Happy Dave — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:06:28 -0800

Is it possible to get Macbooks to display in portrait mode? So, I've been reading a lot of text online recently, and using the rather awesome Tofu to do it. It's a really great tool, but sometimes I really want to flip my Mac on its side and read in big ol' columns of text. It'd also be cool sometimes to browse big long message threads *koff*AskMe*koff* in portrait too.

I've been googling around but am having no joy. Does this exist? Is it ever likely too? Are there any kludges that might do for text realignment?

Cheers MeFites.

Tips on taking a family portrait for the ages

LarryC — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 18:08:27 -0800

Family Portrait -- How do we do it ourselves? The older kids are home from college and we meant to get professional family portrait done, but the time has slipped away and we did not make an appointment and tomorrow is our last day together. So we are going to see what we can do on our own.

We have two pretty good digital cameras: a Canon PowerShot S1 IS and a Canon PowerShot SD800. We have a big tripod and a small tripod and a gorilla pod.

Any quick tips? I have found a few sites with general advice like this one. We don't necessarily want to duplicate a studio portrait, it might be nice to go outside and goof around a bit. The plan right now is to put the camera on a tripod, set the self-timers, and see what happens.

Thanks!

Why can't the 2 of you just get along?

MarvinJ — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 04:38:57 -0800

Is there a way to have both Landscape and Portrait set pages in a Word document? I want to insert a Landscape flowchart in to a document that is Portrait formatted.

When I change the page setup the whole document changes to Landscape. Is there any way of changing the orientation of individual pages?

MS Word 2000(Win)

What to look for in a photography studio?

davidriley — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 12:13:53 -0800

My two siblings and I want to have a nice photo portrait done as a gift to our grandparents. I'm assuming that mall studios will produce tacky photos but I don't know what to look for in an alternative. I also don't know how to prepare for the portrait. I'm looking to have this done near either Cambridge, MA or Providence, RI. Any suggestions?

How to identify a painting without a title?

web-goddess — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 22:55:34 -0800

Do you know of any database or website where I can try to identify a famous artwork based on its description? This is both general and specific; I have at this second a particular image I want to identify, and I also have a directory full of other unlabelled images that I will no doubt need to look up as well. I'm working on an e-commerce website that will sell unfinished needlepoint tapestries. The canvases were all purchased from an Asian company that has since gone out of business, so there's no catalog with names or descriptions. Most of them are nondescript flowers and such, but every now and then I come across one that I just *know* is a famous painting. Guessing and Googling has been moderately successful, but I still get the occasional stumper. Case in point:

I've tried the usual suspects (Marie Antoinette, Empress Sissi, Madame Pompadour) without any luck. Anybody know who she is?

Of course, this isn't a very efficient way to identify any others that come up... and so what I'm really wondering is, are there any sites that "tag" paintings so you can search on subject matter? Seems like it would be a useful thing to have!

How can I rotate my display back to normal?

Faint of Butt — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 12:09:25 -0800

Office emergency! Help me get this monitor out of portrait mode and back into its usual landscape display! My boss's secretary put a heavy folder full of papers down on her keyboard without looking. Apparently, she hit some mysterious key combination that rotated the entire display 90 degrees clockwise. We can't figure out how to get it back to normal! Windows XP, Panasonic monitor. Further details gladly available upon request.

Two-at-a-time portraits?

Aaorn — Mon, 03 Oct 2005 15:17:32 -0800

PhotographyFilter: any tips for posed/staged portraits of two people at once? I need to take a formal portrait of two female friends (not a couple), and am looking for general advice on how to pose two people such that they look comfortable and natural together. Links to classic or contemporary photographers who do this well would also be helpful.

Posing for portraits

monkey closet — Wed, 23 Feb 2005 07:15:10 -0800

Any tips on posing for a (photographic) portrait? I have a couple of professional engagements coming up that require a portrait in publicity materials (more fool them, I say). Problem is, I always look bloody awful in those things - extremely unnatural and awkward. In the past, I've got away with using less formal photos, but that won't wash here.
I'm not after glamour, just something that won't give the impression I was stitched together on a dark and stormy night...

What Traditions or Protocols Govern the Timing of Presidential Portraits?

phyrewerx — Sat, 16 Oct 2004 19:46:49 -0800

Are there any special protocols concerning the use of photos/portraits of the POTUS? I'm asking because I'm curious as to why all the Presidents up to Bush I here used a painting while Clinton and W. Bush used photos. Is there a set number of years before a President should get a portrait?