Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Good Reference Photos

1. **High-Quality Photos**

Use Proper Camera Settings** Adjust the camera settings on your phone or camera (if applicable) to get the best possible image quality.

For those that are a bit technical, try these steps. 

ISO** Use a low ISO number for cleaner images; typically around 100-400 is appropriate for outdoors. You will need to raise it to 600-1000 indoors depending on how dark it is. 

Aperture** A smaller aperture value like f/2.8 or f/4 can help achieve a shallow depth of field and better background blur.

Shutter Speed** Auto settings should work well but ensure there's sufficient exposure to prevent motion blur, especially if subjects are moving.

2. **Good Lighting**

Side Light** Position the light source at an angle (about 45 degrees) to your subject to create natural shadows and highlights.

This helps in defining contours and textures without overexposing parts of the image.

Avoid backlighting and strong frontal light.

Backlighting** Can flatten images, making it difficult to see details.

Strong Frontal Light** Can cause harsh shadows and blown-out highlights, leading to a loss of detail.

3. **Subject Placement**

Center the Subject** Ensure your subject is centered in the frame with minimal or no cropping around the edges.

This helps maintain proportionality and clarity when I draw from the reference photo later.

Focus on Eyes for People** For portraits, focus on the eyes to ensure they are sharp because eyes are often crucial for facial expressions.

( Window to the soul, as they say) 

4. **Multiple Photos**

   Experiment with Angles and Positions** Try different angles, close-ups, and wide shots to capture various details.

You can also use props or backdrops to add depth and context to your image.

Capture in Different Light Conditions** Sometimes, the best photo might come from a different time of day or under different lighting conditions.

5. **Email or Drop Box*

Send the file with the least amount of compression** Compressed versions of photos have information removed from them giving me less detail to work from.

By following these steps, you'll be able to capture the best reference material possible to help me create a stunning hand-drawn graphite pencil creation that you can cherish forever.

Example Reference Image