Patience, n. A minor form of despair, disguised as a virtue.

Here is my attempt at classical portraiture, with my favourite oldest son Henry in his Essendon jumper as the suitably sullen subject. I do like how he has co-operated with the artist (me): right hand gripping the wooden seat; left arm resting gently on the side table; thoughtfully and solemnly gazing off into the middle distance.

Although I have opted to display it as a colour print (to show off the footy jumper), this photograph could perhaps also work in sepia. This style reflects the technical challenges associated with 30-second exposure times and painterly aesthetic nineteenth century photography. Subjects were generally seated against plain backgrounds and lit with the soft light of an overhead window and whatever else could be reflected with mirrors. Thus, the dominant image of a sullen and still ‘olden days’ was born!

How on Earth anyone managed to photograph small children is beyond me. Perhaps it had something to do with the ease with which parents could whip their children with birch rods?

I know that a lot of keen photographers visit, any ideas on how it might have been done?