Why Is Photo Selection So Important?
Our artworks are made using only black thread – no pencils, no paint, no colors. Everything depends on light, shadows, and contrast. A poorly chosen photo can result in a portrait that looks blurry, unrecognizable, or simply doesn’t reflect the person well. And nobody wants that – neither you, nor us!
1. Lighting & Shadows – The Most Important Factor
Light is the number one element that determines whether your string portrait will look sharp, aesthetic, and expressive. Unlike traditional drawing or painting, string art doesn’t allow for subtle shading. Every visual detail is formed by the density of overlapping threads: darker areas mean more thread, lighter areas – less. That’s why any shadow on the face may turn into a dark blot, hiding important facial features.
Why Are Shadows a Problem?
Shadows often obscure the eyes, nose, lips, or facial contours. Even subtle shadows in a regular photo can become harsh and unflattering when translated into thread. A consistent and even light source is crucial – ideally natural daylight or professional lighting.
How to Avoid Poor Lighting:
Take photos during the day, facing a window.
Avoid direct sunlight that creates harsh shadow lines.
Indoors, use multiple light sources to evenly light the face from both sides.
Avoid flash from above or below – it creates unnatural shading.
Good photo checklist:
- Even lighting across the face;
- No shadows around eyes, nose, or chin;
- Soft but bright light;
- Clearly visible facial features (eyes, lips, nose, eyebrows)
Avoid:
- Face partially hidden in shadow;
- Overexposed or uneven lighting;
- Backlit shots (e.g. with window behind the person);
- Side lighting covering half the face in shadow.
2. Close-Up Is Key – The Closer, The Better
Our string art portraits are based on a highly detailed analysis of facial contours, light, and contrast. The closer the face is in the photo, the more detail we can capture with thread. A close-up photo lets us recreate the eyes, lips, nose shape, and subtle facial expressions more accurately.
Why Is a Close Face Important?
If the face is far away in the image, we need to zoom in – but this drastically reduces image quality. The result? A blurry portrait with little recognizability.
With a close-up, we can make the most of string art’s possibilities – capturing even the emotion in the eyes.
Good photo checklist:
- Face fills most of the frame;
- Clearly visible facial features;
- No visual clutter or background distractions;
- Shot in portrait mode, ideally from chest height and above
Avoid:
- Full-body or distant photos;
- Small, barely visible faces;
- Zoomed-in low-quality images (pixelated or blurry).
3. Sharpness & Contrast – The Foundation of a Good Portrait
String art is like an optical illusion – it only works when the source image is clear, sharp, and high contrast. The thread mimics tonal differences, and the recognizability of a portrait directly depends on how clearly the algorithm “sees” the light and dark areas.
Why Sharpness Matters
A sharp image allows us to recreate details like eyelashes, eyebrows, lip curves, and even light reflections in the eyes. If the photo is blurry, the face appears flat and lifeless – and the thread won’t be able to fix that.
Why Contrast Is Crucial
Good contrast helps define the face. If an image is too bright or too dark, the details blend together. Ideally, the photo should have clear transitions between light and shadow, without overexposed or underexposed areas.
Choose:
- High-resolution images;
- Clear and sharp portraits with well-defined features;
- Balanced contrast – not too light or too dark;
- Photos taken with a camera or high-quality phone in good lighting.
Avoid:
- Blurry or smudged images;
- Dark or overly bright pictures;
- Low-quality or grainy shots;
- Overexposed photos with strong flash.
4. Two-Person Portraits – What You Need to Know
Yes, we can create string portraits featuring two or even three people. These make meaningful gifts for couples, friends, or family. But the rules for multi-person compositions are slightly different.
To ensure a balanced and beautiful final result, the position and size of the faces in the photo are crucial.
Why Composition Matters
Our portraits are made in a circular format. That means both faces must fit proportionally, at the same level and scale. If one person is standing and the other sitting, or one face is closer to the camera than the other – the proportions will be off. One face may end up detailed and visible, while the other fades into the background.
A good two-person photo:
- Faces are aligned at the same height;
- Both people are equally close to the camera;
- Faces are close together, touching or very near each other;
- No hats, sunglasses, or strong shadows on the faces
Avoid:
- One person much closer or farther from the camera;
- Faces at different vertical levels;
- Group shots where faces are spread out;
- Images where one face is barely visible.
📸 Our Tip:
If possible, take a new photo specifically for your order. Sit or stand side by side, align your faces, look at the camera, and use soft, even lighting. You don’t need a professional – a friend or a good phone camera will do just fine!
Feeling Overwhelmed? Don’t Worry – We’re Here to Help!
Don’t stress – we always review the photos you send and help you choose the best one. You can send 3, 10 or even 20 photos, and we’ll pick the most suitable for your Vieno Siūlo portrait.
✅ Had a professional photo shoot? Great – those images usually work perfectly.
✅ Don’t have the right one yet? Just ask a friend to take a few simple, well-lit portraits of you.
In Summary – What Makes the Perfect Photo for a String Art Portrait?
A Vieno Siūlo string art portrait is more than a picture – it’s a personal story, an emotion captured in thread. And it all starts with a great photo.
The better the photo, the better the result.
We’re always happy to help you select the best image and turn it into a one-of-a-kind artwork that will inspire, decorate, and touch hearts.
✅ Choose a photo that is:
Bright and evenly lit
A close-up, with no shadows
Sharp, high-quality, with good contrast
Without hats or sunglasses
For multiple people – faces at the same level and distance
