Another C&C post :)

[elizpage]

Shot some portraits of this guy today. tried to use f/5.6 for most of the shoot, although I'm not completely comfortable with ISO yet.. so it's just harder for me. Tell me what you think of these. There's not much variation because he didn't want to change his outfit or change scenery. Some of these just seem OOF. I don't even know. We kept getting eaten alive by mosquitos too for the 45 min shoot, so that was no fun..

Edit: Whoops, I didn't number these again. Also, I used my 50mm and a shutter speed of 1/125 for most of these.

 

[pgriz]

What will these images be used for?

The first one misses focus.
The second, third, and fourth have the background too sharp (this is where shooting at f/1.8 or f/2.8 would have been better), and his shirt really needs a pass or three with a lint brush. Don't think the chin shadow is very flattering to him. Perhaps he'd look better with a lower side light.

 

[elizpage]

What will these images be used for?

The first one misses focus.
The second, third, and fourth have the background too sharp (this is where shooting at f/1.8 or f/2.8 would have been better), and his shirt really needs a pass or three with a lint brush. Don't think the chin shadow is very flattering to him. Perhaps he'd look better with a lower side light.

He wants the images for head shots for theatre auditions. Yeah, I wanted to tell him about the dirty clothing- I guess I just didn't want to be rude. Do you think I should offer a re-shoot? I work 2 minutes away from where his house is located, so it would be very convenient.

Edit: also, I don't have any lights =X so this might not be something I could do.

 

[pgriz]

Well, you need to select a location where the light is coming from the right direction. It's a matter of picking the location and the time. This is what makes "natural light" photography more challenging than using "artificial" light - you have less control over it, and you need to recognize the times of the day and the positioning that will put the light in the right way on your subject. For example, I've seen some beautiful portraits done with a person standing in an alleyway, in the shade, with the light reflecting off a wall behind the photographer, in a way that created an enormous light box effect relative to the subject.

As for your subject, you need to figure out what kind of image he's trying to convey, and what any potential agent or casting director would want to see. A straight headshot like this doesn't make him look very attractive or interesting. It's one thing to capture an image, it's another altogether to get an image that will achieve the purpose of marketing him appropriately.

 

[frommrstomommy]

^^ great advice IMO. agree with a lot of what was shared.

I think the angle you have captured him in is not exactly the most appealing. #3 or 4 are the better of the set I think. I would try to think a lil more outside of the box for shooting someone for the purpose you've listed and I think a wardrobe change would be a good option also. I try to stay away from tshirts any chance I get.. they just always seem to look frumpy. Maybe try getting a sort of downward angle to photograph him? I'm not sure. I just think the angle you have of him chin slightly up seems to make his jawline more prominent and not in a good way being that he's got such a round face.

 

[frommrstomommy]

Actually.. I take that back.. #5 is my favorite, but I'd like to see it in color.

 

[frommrstomommy]

 

[Dinardy]

If your lens will allow, step back, way back. Can you shoot at 200mm? That might help. Also maybe stand on a short stool, that may provide a better angle for his face type.

Or at least that's what I would do, since he likes to keep his chin up anyways.

 

[elizpage]

^^ great advice IMO. agree with a lot of what was shared.

I think the angle you have captured him in is not exactly the most appealing. #3 or 4 are the better of the set I think. I would try to think a lil more outside of the box for shooting someone for the purpose you've listed and I think a wardrobe change would be a good option also. I try to stay away from tshirts any chance I get.. they just always seem to look frumpy. Maybe try getting a sort of downward angle to photograph him? I'm not sure. I just think the angle you have of him chin slightly up seems to make his jawline more prominent and not in a good way being that he's got such a round face.

I know, yeah. I tried to tell him to lower his chin in the photos, but he wouldn't really agree with doing that. He also didn't want to change his shirt.. so there really wasn't much I could do.

 

[frommrstomommy]

I've noticed sometimes, with certain people you kind of have to be a little firm with them when it comes to things that really make or break photos when they are difficult. lol I try to explain to the people I work with why I'm doing certain things and why I request certain things as it is happening. I feel like it helps them be more willing to cooperate. lol