SELECTING A SUITABLE PHOTO
In order to select a suitable photo that will be used as a reference/guide for your illustration, you will need to confirm that it meets certain guidelines.
First, search “portrait” on the Unsplash app search bar. Then, follow the guidelines below to select your reference photo; this will enable your illustration to be easily outlined and colored.
Unsplash homepage with "portrait" in search bar
SUITABLE PHOTO VS UNSUITABLE PHOTO
An unsuitable photo has ANY of the following:
More than one person or any animals/pets
The lower half of the subject’s body, lower than chest (even if the photo can be cropped at the subject’s chest, the subject must be close enough to the camera for their features to be easily outlined)
Grayscale coloring
Indistinguishable facial features of the subject (regardless of subject’s expression)
Focus on anything but the subject; i.e, background elements or props
The subject facing to the left, right, or back
Any unnatural, too dark, too bright, or colorful lighting
Any shadows on the subject from background elements
A suitable photo will meet ALL of the following criteria:
Contains only one person as its subject
Includes the subject’s face and shoulders, chest optional (arms/hands are okay if the subject is posing with their hands near their face)
Is in color
Distinguishes the subject’s facial features (typically, this involves the subject being close enough to the camera so their features are able to be easily outlined)
Places the focus on the subject
Has the subject looking at the camera or to a front corner
Has natural lighting
Does not have any shadows on the subject
Let's try some examples!