Michael Steddum is currently accepting a limited number of commissions,
allowing you to have a
custom portrait of your dog, painted in watercolor. |
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| How to secure your
commission! |
| Step One |
| A great photograph
is needed to make a great painting. So please read the "How to
Photograph your Dog" below
and decide if you have the ability to acquire the
perfect photo. Perhaps you already have the perfect photo! |
| Step Two |
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Secure your commission by placing your
deposit. |
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| Step Three |
| Send
Photos. |
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Your Dog Portrait |
●Each painting
will be a 9" x 12" watercolor.
●Each painting will be done by August 31th,
2008.
●The photographs for the painting must
be provided by July 10th.
●Each commission will be $350 with a $175
deposit.
●Deposit must be received before your
commission will be secured.
●The balance will be due upon completion
provided that you are 100% happy with the work. |
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"How to
Photograph
your Dog"
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Prepare yourself
- You may work alone if you can take the
photo and your dog is trained to “sit” and “stay”, or choose a
partner you can work well with to help you with this project.
One person will be taking the picture, “The Commander”, and the
other person will be the Assistant.
The entire process should be quiet, with minimal talking,
and absolutely no arguing.
This will keep your dog calm and at his best for the
photo shoot.
- Have your camera ready:
collect all equipment, clean the lens, etc.
- Be sure you have an adequate memory card
(digital) or film
- Choose a place with proper lighting for
the photograph. It does
not matter what is in the background, as that will be inserted
later.
e.
Have a chew toy or treat in your back pocket,
but do not let your dog see it
yet.
- Tell yourself you will speak calmly and
not play with your dog or work him up.
Remember, this process should be relaxed so you can get
the best possible photo of your dog.
Who wants a print of a dog with his tongue hanging out?
2.
Prepare your dog
a.
Groom your dog previously, so that he is relaxed
and ready to photograph
b.
Remove the collar if you do not want it in the
photo
c.
Keep your dog calm; do not play with him
d.
Work with one dog at a time, have other dogs out
of eye/ear shot.
3.
Taking the picture
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a.
The Commander will be directing the shoot, both
the dog and the Assistant.
The Commander will be positioned in front of the Assistant and kneeling
4-6 ft. in front of the dog. The Assistant will remove the chew toy or
treat from the Commander’s back pocket, keeping it hidden from the dog,
and remain standing behind the Commander.
The Assistant will not speak, but take directions only.
b.
The Commander will direct the dog to “sit” and
“stay” in a calm manner, not showing frustration if the dog does not
obey right away. Take your
time until the dog follows directions.
c.
The Commander will direct the Assistant to hold
the toy directly over the Commander’s head as he is shooting the photos.
Then, he may ask it to be moved to the right of his head, and
then to the left, etc. This
will cause the dog to look in the various directions and allow for
several different views. The
best views are those that are slightly profiled or ¾ view as shown
below. Please do not waste your
time on aerial views, body views to show only color, rear views, etc.
These cannot be used for the possibility of obtaining a good
painting from one of your photographs.
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Above are
GOOD examples of photos that could be used
for a painting
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Above are
BAD photos that would not be suitable to use
for a painting
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| Notice
the background does not matter at all. This is a great shot, clear,
detailed and shows expression. |
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1.
Formatting and Submitting your
photos
a.
Please be sure that your digital pictures are
sized to 8.5 x 11 and 150 to 300 dpi.
This sizing allows for the full detail needed to produce a high
quality painting from which to make prints.
Anything smaller will not be adequate.
b.
If you used film, please send the negatives and
we will return them to you.
c.
Email one picture at a time, as each picture is
approximately 1 megabyte if size requirement is followed.
Thank you for following
these directions in photographing your dog.
Sincerely,
Michael Steddum
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