The Importance of Reference Shots
One of the most frequent questions I hear is “How important is reference photos”. I always reply to this question with the same answer, “garbage in garbage out”, let me explain. If you start a painting with a photograph or other form of reference, then you start with information. If you go one step further and make that reference a photo you took, you start with information and experience. Shooting your own reference is imperative in my opinion. When you take a photo you remember all the little details of that moment, the mood, the lighting, the little subtle things that a camera can not capture or things the camera filters out. Your camera is then only freezing a moment in your experience, so to speak. Because I shot all of my reference shots my paintings become an extension of me and my experiences.
Friday, October 5, 2007
It is also important to learn how to take a good photograph, again “garbage in garbage out”. If a photo is of a low quality chances are that your painting will be of a low quality. This is even more apparent with beginner artist as they do not have experience in using “artist license” to beef up a weak photograph. A good practice is to also do a small thumbnail sketch before or after shooting a shoot of importance. This one minute sketch will force your conscience mind to observe detail that would have probably been overlooked without the sketch. I love too do one minute thumbnails on the spot!
Make time to go out and increase your photo or reference database. I make an effort weekly to venture out and shot a couple of dozen shoots. You do not have to travel abroad, you would be amazed at what you can find in your local area to photograph. Remember to always have fun and be safe, think before you do and carry a cell phone around with you!
