How to Select the best Portrait Photos
If you were asked to show a friend just two or three photos that capture the "essence" of your loved one which would you choose ? These are the images that I need for your cameo jewel.
I want to capture in your portrait carving the feeling of pride and recognition that you experience when you see those pictures.
Send more than one photo if at all possible, from a number of angles. The more good images I have, the greater the accuracy of the finished Cameo.
Select the Photos that best show the Spirit and character of your loved-one
Tell me what kind of camera was used to take the photographs. A camera with a 100mm lens will show the face quite accurately, compact cameras often use 28 - 35 mm lenses which distort the image. I can correct for this distortion if I know the settings. Multiple photos are best sent using my Inquiry Form
High resolution and Large file sizes are very welcome. These will be used by the cameo artist to design your personal cameo portrait jewel. The photos are printed to 10 by 8 size to study when carving.
Printed photographs can be scanned and uploaded to my secure server or posted to me, Antique photos can be taken out of their frames for this. I will return the original photograph with the finished cameo.
Hire a Professional Photographer for Superb Photos
Consider using a good professional studio in your area. They are experts in how to get the best images of people.
Please ask your photographer to contact Gareth at Portrait Cameos. I can advise on what format of photo will work best for your cameo portrait.
My most important aim is to achieve a great likeness. The cameo has to match the portrait photo. However, I actually work on a deeper more advanced level to make a cameo that the recipient will fall in love with.
I study the portrait photos very carefully. I do like to have more than one photo as different angles and looks can help me tease out the details of the profile.
I also work with plaster models that show the structure of a head. An 'ecorche' helps me visualise underlying bones and muscle groups. I also have plaster faces that show age progression. A baby's proportions are very different from an adult. I have learned how age changes the face.
There are also profound differences between male and female faces. Knowledge of anatomy is a vital part of my learning and approach to crafting an accurate portrait sculpture. I have to take the time to check details as I carve. This is where the value is in my fee.
The Portrait Photograph
Less skilled cameo artists will only work from side profile photos. The classic cameo pose. This is the easiest portrait to carve.
My goal is to have the portrait photo that best shows the spirit and character of the person. Does the photo tell a story? An example is how a photo of a father holding his child shows the love between them. Send me as many photos as you want. I can help advise on the best choice for the portrait cameo.
I can work from any portrait photograph taken from any angle as I have learned how to correct for the way that a camera alters a face.
The Camera Lies !
Working from photos can be difficult. An inexperienced artist will accept the photo as perfect and attempt to copy it exactly.
There is barrel distortion caused by the camera lens and angular distortion. Most photos have both issues happening at the same time.
A camera with a 100mm focal length lens that is centered on the face and is not tilted up, down or pointed to the sides will show the face accurately.
Barrel Distortion
There are two types of distortion, the one caused by the camera lens is known as barrel distortion. A lens smaller than a 100mm focal length will make the face rounder than normal. The nose and mouth will be larger than normal and the outside of the head is shrunk inwards. This describes most phones and compact cameras that often use 28 - 35 mm lenses.
A telephoto lens larger than 100mm will distort in the opposite way. I can correct for this distortion if I know the type of camera used for the photograph.
Angular Distortion
When a camera is not centered then you get angular distortion. You can see this best when you see an extreme example. A camera pointing up at a face will make the forehead larger and make the lower half of the face smaller. Pointing down at the face from above has the opposite effect. A camera pointing from the side will introduce perspective issues that change the face.
I have studied these issues in detail and I have learned how to correct for these potential distortions.
Portrait Cameo of Daughter
Blue Agate custom cameo pendant. The setting is in 14kt White Gold.
Young Daughter
A much-loved daughter. This jewel was a gift from the mother to herself.
Girl with Ponytail
I loved carving the ponytail and the heart on her dress. This was a sympathy gift to honor her daughter.
Daugher and her Baby Brother
Photo of her two grandchildren. Evie is 3 and Jude is 9 months old.
Blue Agate Cameo Jewel
Portrait carving of the two grandchildren. Carved into a wedge-wood blue Agate and set in Silver
Custom Cameo Pendant
The white on Brown cameos look best when the background is polished.
White on Brown Cameo
Brown Agate custom cameo pendant. The setting is in Silver.
Sepia Photo of Mother
This photo naturally suggested a white on brown cameo gemstone