reference photos

[JaneS]

I am frustrated by my lack of material to work with; no "objets d'art" for still-lifes in my possession, I'm not a green thumb with exotic (or even simple) flowers flourishing in my yard, the southeast Texas coast is rather lifelessly dull, etc. etc. I need to get out with a camera I guess, but am intimidated by how and where to go about this. How do others get together their material to paint? I'm frustrated! Help!

[llis]

Jane: Here at WetCanvas! we have a reference image library that you can go to and find photos submitted by other members. Perhaps you might find something that will inspire you there. Here is the link. Reference Library Hope this helps.

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See you in the Cafe Chat Room ...Or, stop by ... the Virtual Cafe Guerbois today!

[This message has been edited by llis (edited September 16, 2000).]

[Rod]

I use a digital camera , it is with me always. Can collect reference material and then display on monitor. Grab your camera and check with neighbours and friends , if they have some interesting objects then photo for later use,
Rod

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Rodzart from New Zealand

[Lynda Coles]

I can sympathise with you - when I lived in England I craved to be able to paint mountains - now I live in Colorado, I miss painting little thatched villages! I can only echo the suggestion that you use either the wetcanvas reference photo's, or get some 'picture' books from the library. You could start going to all the garage sales in your neighbourhood too - pick up things like old rusty gardening tools, hats, shawls, china cups etc., for just a few pennies and see what sort of still life subjects you can make of those?

[nancymae]

Hi Jane,
I understand your feeling about the subject matter, as I remember when I had that happen to me. My suggestion to you is to really look at your surroundings. Sometimes just a sunrise, or sunset may inspire you. Take time with your viewing. A great scene will not come up and smack you in the head--at least not all the time!! :-) When I can't get outside to look for things, I try and go through magazines which may include a mood or some objects that I imagine would be fun to paint. Then I try and get a still life going with that image.

You have the desire...and the images will come through to you...just be patient. Try some of the exercises that Julia sets out for enhancing your creativity. She REALLY helped me out ALOT!!!!

Take Care

Nancymae

[warrickh]

A good place I found for reference photos it www.webshots.com in the community section people are allowed to upload any pictures they want. This includes a lot of peoples vacation photos. Any subject matter is usually covered. You can e-mail the person if you need to get permission to use their photos. I'm not sure of the legalities. But most people probably won't have a problem. There's probably a few hundred thousand photos.

[JaneS]

Thank you ALL for your replies. Last weekend I bought an inexpensive digital camera and it has liberated me completely! I hadn't realized how very inhibited I was by the cost-factor of just snapping pictures. I had a little voice in my head that was always so judgemental, "is this film-worthy?" But now I am downloading a dozen images a day! Eliminating the developing, and film expense, I find images everywhere! I've also been able to use the camera to put a painting into the critique section of Wetcanvas. I love this site!

[Roan]

Small warning about webshots.com and other web site photo galleries of that nature:

I've been to several and many of those photos that have been uploaded are copyrighted and are not owned by the people uploading them. Although the sites have disclaimers saying that all photos must be the property of the uploader, etc., people ignore it. I've seen entire calendars scanned and uploaded with no credit to the originating authors. One site even has a stipulation that only the originating author can complain and *they* have to supply proof of copyright.

My caution here is to double check your sources. If you find an interesting image, email the uploader before you even consider how you will paint it. Be specific -- if you enter it in a show it's not going to help you much if the person who claimed it was their's lies. It'll still get thrown out of the show and who knows what legal action could be taken.

On another note, I'm looking for pix of Scotland, horses, farm scenes and highland games. Particularily human interest views -- ie: the feet of a dancer doing the sword dance, the facial expression of a caber-tosser as he heaves the pole into the air. I'd LOVE to paint that.

I *really* wish I was free to travel sometimes -- anyone got any references?

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Mar sin leibh an-dràsda,
Roan
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"Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a charaid."

[nnelson1]

Jane:

Which "inexpensive" digital camera did you get? I've been playing around with the idea of picking one up and would like to know what you like/don't like, etc.

Cheers!
Nick

[tgault]

For landscapes, I usually scout around during the daytime for good subjects and compositions. Then, depending upon which direction the subject is facing, I'll run back to the location at sunrise or a couple hours before sunset to get the lighting I want. It's kinda fun. I've taken my kids with me during the daytime outings, just driving around the countryside looking for that perfect view. They enjoy it too, mostly because they get to see so many animals along the way.

My problem is with still lifes. Getting good light is such a challenge indoors. Any suggestions?

-Tim

[JaneS]

Originally posted by nnelson1:
Jane:

Which "inexpensive" digital camera did you get? I've been playing around with the idea of picking one up and would like to know what you like/don't like, etc.

Cheers!
Nick

I bought a Polaroid PhotoMax FunFlash 640, $149 with a $30 rebate at Circuit City. It is EASY to use and I feel the resolution is sufficient for my needs. You can only take 12 pics at high resolution and then you must download; a more expensive camera could probably take more. Some digital cameras could take better close-ups, but as I am trying to be looser not tighter with my art, I shouldn't be taking anything that close up anyway! Also, you can trash can a picture after you take it, but not 2 pictures later.
(You can view it first)Good enough for me!

[dj-tps]

A new digital camera just out that is supposed to be high resolution uses the cmos technology which is different than most. It is called the Magic Image 500 and sells for $150. It would be nice to know someone that has tried this one.

[Roan]

Couple of months ago a bought a Kodak DC280 for around $449. I had to hunt the web to find that price at buy.com. It usually retails for 499 to 629. Anyhow, it's a wonderful camera -- fairly high res, digital readout, long battery life, review mode too. You can even save pictures permanently on the discs.

If you are not sure what type of camera to get, you might want to try out this link:

<A HREF="http://www2.digitalcameras.activebuyersguide.com">ActiveB uyersGuide.com</A>

Use the "Digital Camera Decision Guide". The guide will walk you through several questions on brands, resolutions, etc., make trade-offs on one requirement over another (eg: would you rather pay 500 for a 1200 res camera or 300 for a 640 res camera) and then present you with a list of digital cameras that come closest to your criteria. It's a really interesting site and I learned a lot while going through the questionaire over and over.

Heh, the first camera I ended up with was a Sony for $5,000. Oooops, I had to lighten up on the criteria :P

While I like my Kodak (I really WISH I had had the money for that Sony!), I wish I had budgetted for more memory cards, batteries and an AC adaptor.

Hope this helps somewhat

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"Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a charaid."

[Roan]

Originally posted by Jane Sibert:
I am frustrated by my lack of material to work with; no "objets d'art" for still-lifes in my possession, I'm not a green thumb with exotic (or even simple) flowers flourishing in my yard, the southeast Texas coast is rather lifelessly dull, etc. etc. I need to get out with a camera I guess, but am intimidated by how and where to go about this. How do others get together their material to paint? I'm frustrated! Help!

<U>Jane:</U>
I was thinking, is there anything specific you had in mind? I mean, if you are looking for a certain something -- a certain type of flower or image -- one of us might have something we could take a picture of. Most of my flowers are through their blooming season -- all I have left right now are my impatients.

I do know what you mean. The only reason I've ended up painting portraits is because I never run out of people to paint I'm not a portrait artist -- I don't think it's a label I wanna have slapped on myself -- but I find I end up painting portraits constantly. I *really* want to paint some horses, but it's hard to get to the horse shows around here with an "almost 4" and a husband in tow. All the interesting classes seem to be scheduled during her nap time

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"Am fear a ghleidheas a theanga, gleidhidh e a charaid."

[JaneS]

Roan, no...I don't even have anything specific in mind. But with my new digital camera, I am feeling MUCH better about things now. However, you made me realize, if ever I DO have an insatiable urge for...mountains.... or New England foliage, I will put a HELP ME post here and see if anybody comes to the rescue! Everybody is so very helpful at this site. Thank you for the offer!