"Cheryl Machat Dorskind applies subtle color to black-and-white prints to amplify the romantic feeling of mist-shrouded coastal landscapes. In "Muse," the sense of space is almost completely dissolved by the humid atmosphere."
The New York Times
"You'd think capturing a photo image would be sufficient. But it's not for Westhampton artist-photographer Cheryl Machat Dorskind, whose forte lies in gilding the lily."
Newsday
"Cheryl Machat Dorskind's hand-colored photographs celebrate nature's misty
moody character. Her deserted harbor, with its empty boat and unruffled water, seem to imply that human use would interrupt the spell. Pale pink and blue tones give the images a delicacy and an aura that suggests an uncommon moment."
The New York Times
"Ms. Dorskind knows all about the imagery and art forms of bygone days-
she specializes in handpainted photographs, those ethereal pictures whose technique evokes a cherished portrait of one's grandparents, or a favorite impressionist painting."
The Southampton Press
"In the Long Island village of Westhampton, contemporary artist Cheryl Machat Dorskind creates images with camera and paint. Handtinted with oil colors,
[Ms. Dorskind's] her silver gelatin prints freeze a moment in time, then gently release it. Pairing an acute awareness of detail with dreamy timelessness, Ms. Dorskind's "photopaintings" toe the line between reality and imagination, permanence and change - all the while asserting that the subtleties of life are not best expressed in black and white,
or even shades of gray."
Country Living
Unlike many artists who guard their techniques as though nation security depended on it, Ms. Dorskind is very willing to share…Misty landscapes are the hallmark of Ms. Dorskind's work…The Maine landscapes often show simple cottages, almost shacks, yet the repeating patterns of wood and water create pleasing images."
Southampton Press
REVIEWS
Beginning with history of photography, Dorskind covers topics such as correct equipment, capturing superb lighthing, examining the design elements that make a ggreat photograph and tips for portraying children of every age.
In these works Ms. Dorskind is able to find a complementary melding of the two through her accomplished and subtle use of coloration. While this conveys within the photographs a distinctly painterly sensation, it is not one that dominates the combined visual experience.
If you have children, you probably have shoeboxes full of photographs. If you are like me, many of those photographs either show children posing stiffly in front of beautiful scenes or are so blurry that you cannot tell which image is your child and which is the cat. A new book is here to help us: The Art of Photographing Children by Cheryl Machat Dorskind published by Watson-Gupthill Publications. (Full Text)
If you have children, you probably have shoeboxes full of photographs. If you are like me, many of those photographs either show children posing stiffly in front of beautiful scenes or are so blurry that you cannot tell which image is your child and which is the cat. A new book is here to help us: The Art of Photographing Children by Cheryl Machat Dorskind published by Watson-Gupthill Publications.
(Full Text PDF)
Paper Works Magazine
Berne, IN
Bi Monthly
Aug-Sep 2005 The Art of Photographing Children
"Why can professional photographers get a dog and three children to look adorable while the rest of us struggle to get a single picture with everyone's eyes open at the same time? Turns out there are a few secrets to getting those perfect pictures-
and one of them is the willingness to shoot a lot of photos that aren't perfect! But when it comes to lighting and making the children comfortable during a photo shoot, or when it comes to deciding how close to stand and what to do indoors vs. what to do at the beach, there are very specific recommendations in this book that will make the whole process Easier. In addition, there are techniques for hand coloring, for shooting with black and white or color film, and for using digital cameras. The gallery of professional photographers' work was chosen to show diverse styles. It should inspire you to get your camera quickly so you can capture those special, fleeting moments before they are forever gone.
Digital Camera
Paramus, NJ
6 times a year
July 2005
The Art of photographing Children
Whether you're a parent who wants to capture the precious moments of childhood or a professional children's photographer who is seeking inspiration, Dorskind's book has something to offer. Just as a youngster dawdles on a hot summer's day, Dorskind takes her time with the subject matter. From a chapter on the history of photography to a chapter highlighting milestones in the first 18 years of life, her recurring theme is that "nothing should come between the photographer and the child-only total awareness and total absorbency in the moment will allow the magic to be captured on film" This book is full of magic, as well as solid information and inspiration.
From Today's books
Book Register
PNS Publishing 500 Abstract & Index
April 6, 2005
Today's Books "Book Register" reviews and raises both requested and unsolicited title in final book form. These are title that publishers are encouraging newspaper and other print media book review editors and critics to consider for review and news coverage in their publications. Title are rated Must read, Exceptions, Very good, Good, Fair, or Questionable…Thus "Must Read" titles are the best in competitive tern within their subject matter, genre, and publishing sector.
The Art of Photographing Children Techniques for Making Better Color, Black and White, Handcolored, and Digital Pictures (Amphoto January 2005, $24.95 Trade Paperback Illustrated 0-81743547-6) Written and photographed by fine art photographer Cheryl Machat Dorskind
Watson Guptill
! ! ! ! ! MUST READ
Bostonia
Alumni Books
Spring 2005
(SMG'77). The Art of Photographing Children. Amphoto Books.
The subtitle of this well-illustrated book says it all: "Techniques for Making Better Color, Black and White, Handcolored, and Digital Pictures." Dorskind, who also wrote The Art of Handpainting Photographs, gives practical tips ranging from camera technology and lighting to posing children and organizing a shoot. As one coworker said, "Why didn't somebody give this book to me when my kids were young?" -TM
The Midwest Book Review
Reviewers Bookwatch: March 2005
James A. Cox, Editor in Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive, Oregon, WI 53575
Betsy's Bookshelf
The Art of Photographing Children
Cheryl Machat Dorskind
Amphoto Books
C/O Watson Guptill publications
770 Broadway, New York, New York 10003
0817435476 $24.95 1-800451-1741 www.watsonguptill.com
The Art of Photographing Children: Techniques for making better color, Black and White, Handcolored, and Digital Pictures is a no-nonsense guide for amateur and professional photographers alike. Chapters discuss optimum equipment, lighting, composition, and more, such as how to capture an important moment and tips for running a smoother photo shoot. The easy-to-follow narration accompanies a wealth of black-and-white and color photographs that keenly illustrate points and principles discussed. Highly recommended for proud parents seeking to succinctly capture their child's milestones on film, family portraits experts striving to improve their craft, and every photographer in between.
Betsy L. Hogan
Reviewer
Scrapbooking and Beyond, June 2005
The Art of Photographing Children
Cheryl Machat Dorskind
Amphoto Books
C/O Watson Guptill Publications
770 Broadway, New York, New York 10003
0817435476 $24.95 1-800451-1741 www.watsonguptill.com
Like Goldilocks' porridge, this book is "just right." Neither too long nor too complicated nor too advanced for a beginner, the author covers lighting, equipment and digital imaging. If you've found it to be too difficult or frustrating to capture children's natural gestures and facial expressions, this book will help solve those problems with very specific recommendations. Tips for establishing a rapport with the children, step-by-step instructions for hand coloring actual photo shoots are for hand coloring photos, and an inside look at actual photo shoots are included. Cheryl notes that she continues to photograph the children after their sitting have ended. Many of the photos featured are outtakes (photos that were not selected by the client). "I see children's photographs with different eyes than a parent does, and I try to meet my artistic style while still creating a portrait that pleases my client," says Cheryl. Particularly useful is Cheryl's advice on how to develop a personal style, and the section dedicated to photographing infants and young children is excellent. This book I filled with color, black and white and hand colored images, and features a wonderful gallery of work created by six contributing photographers.
Photographer's Forum/Summer 2005
Noted
By James Kaufmann
The Art of Photographing Children
By Cheryl Machat Dorskind. Amphoto, 144 pages $24.95 paper.
Few things are more difficult than getting children to cooperate, whether in life or in photography. This book addresses the latter with an assortment of solid suggestions for taking better photos of kids. The information extends to hand coloring and digital imagery. This high quality book will reward nearly any photographer with new ways to capture pint-sized subjects.
The Art of Handpainting Photographs
From the Publisher
The process of handpainting photographs combines the art of black-and-white photography with a personal expression of color. By the careful and strategic application of color, you can create evocative portraits, picturesque landscapes, or vivid street scenes that reflect your individual vision and perception of the world. Here, in The Art of Handpainting Photography, author Cheryl Machat Dorskind presents the entire handpainting process from start to finish, complete with illustrated step-by-step instructions for each technique. Covered topics include selecting a photograph, materials and equipment, applying and building up color, coloring vintage family photographs, and finishing and presenting your work. There's even a section on how to set up your studio work space. A fine art photographer, handpainting instructor, and artist, Machat Dorskind provides clear, concise directions throughout, and all the lessons are accompanied by her own exquisite handpainted images.
From the Critics
From Library Journal
The handcoloring of photographs began long before the invention of color film, and many archives contain ghostly 19th-century examples. Recently, graphic and fine artists have rediscovered this art and turned out both subtle portraits and splashy advertising art. Dorskind, a nationally known art photographer and handpainter, illustrates this step-by-step manual with her own luminous and haunting work. This is an extremely handsome and useful book. For larger collections. (July, 1, 1998)
From Booknews
Offers step-by-step techniques and inspiration for handpainting b&w photographs. Chapters on selecting a photograph, materials, and basic color theory provide a foundation for material on preparing the photo and the basic painting process. Later chapters offer tips for portraits, landscapes, and painting vintage photographs, and explain how to present artwork. All lessons are illustrated with the author's lovely work, showing each step in the painting process.(Annotation © by Book News, Inc. Portland, OR.)
From Home & Garden Television
Also on the market is a helpful book from Watson-Guptill titled The Art of Handpainting Photographs, that thoroughly instructs and otherwise depicts this craft.
(Carol's Product Pick, Episode #CDS-550)
The Easthampton Star
On Painting Photographs
Cheryl Machat Dorskind, an adjunct professor of photography at Southampton College, has just published "The Art of Handpainting Photographs" (Amphoto Books, $24.95)
In the book, Ms. Dorskind takes the reader step by step through the process of hand-coloring. She instructs as to which photographs are good candidates for the process, and which are not, and how the choice of film or exposure levels can make a difference.
She goes into the subject of which paper to use and whether or not to use a toner and then extensively explains the hand-coloring process, from basic painting through all the coloring mediums available.
The book is comprehensive - if there's a last word to be said on how to handpaint a photograph, it's surely here. (May, 28, 1998 -S.S.)
From Petersen's Photographic
The process of handpainting photographs combines the art of black-and- white photography with the careful and strategic application of color, allowing the photographer/artist to create evocative portraits and picturesque landscapes that reflect their individual vision. (October 1998)
From Amazon.com
The tradition of coloring photographs is almost as old as the medium itself, arising from the desire to soften the starkness of early photos. Handcoloring is very popular again, and this lovely book makes it easy to see why. Art photographer Dorskind clearly explains how she achieves her evocative and atmospheric "photopaintings," from materials and color basics, to composing a photo, to presenting and storing your work. Though the finished product may look like something only a professional photographer could produce, the technique is actually quite straightforward. And though the supplies are specialized, they are found at many art- and photo-supply stores, or can be ordered from a supplier in the book's resource guide. --Amy Handy
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