I was privileged that local artist Sandy helped me develop my portrait photography skills recently by agreeing to be a model in her home here in Whanganui. I started out taking a few environmental portraits in her living room with the late afternoon sun shining through and illuminating the wonderful objet d’art and colourful treasures she surrounds herself with. I had noticed a wood grain dresser in the room and, despite the possible distractions of its doors and locks, thought it would make a great background for more formal portraits. So we closed the blinds to shut the light out and set up an umbrella bounce flash and tried for a “Girl with the Pearl Earring” look. I entered two of the images in my local Camera Club Portrait competition for a Highly Commended and Honours. Can you guess which two?
