Critique on head shots:)

[allison_dcp]

My dads wife needed some head shots done for her sorority. I was trying to go for off camera flash, but since I lost my PC cable to connect my camera to my speedlight, I had to use another speedlight to set off the slave. I had a diffuser cap on the on-camera speedlight aimed at the wall, and I played around with moving the off camera from one side to the other. Does any photo stand out as the best? These are the only ones I edited. I'm hoping these dont appear as flat as my previous work. Also, opinions on the color? Any and all C&C is welcome! Thanks!
Allison

 

[Mully]

One is your best bet, to me looks most natural.... color is off but fixable

 

[allison_dcp]

One is your best bet, to me looks most natural.... color is off but fixable

I just calibrated my monitor and am hoping I did it right. Would you mind elaborating?

 

[tirediron]

In no particular order: I see a distinct yelow/green colour cast to all of the images. It's not strong, but it si there.

I agree that the pose and expression in #1 is the best, but the crop is NOT a head shot. I'm also not fond of the hair band; I would lose that and iron the shirt before reshooting. These also seem very noisy when I look at the large versions. Why?

The lighting isn't bad, but it's not overly exciting either. I think dropping your key 1/2 stop and bringing in a reflector close in on the opposite side would help.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

 

[allison_dcp]

In no particular order: I see a distinct yelow/green colour cast to all of the images. It's not strong, but it si there.

I agree that the pose and expression in #1 is the best, but the crop is NOT a head shot. I'm also not fond of the hair band; I would lose that and iron the shirt before reshooting. These also seem very noisy when I look at the large versions. Why?

The lighting isn't bad, but it's not overly exciting either. I think dropping your key 1/2 stop and bringing in a reflector close in on the opposite side would help.

Just my $00.02 worth - your mileage may vary.

~John

I shot these at 400 ISO so I dont know why they would be noisy! Ugh. Thanks for the advice.

 

[pic_chick]

I ran your 1st image thruu lightroom cropped it to a head shot cooled hue, burned the headband , whiten her teeth and smoothed her skin just a little bit hope you like it

 

[allison_dcp]

yes I do thanks!

 

[cgipson1]

I like #4 better personally.... did the basics to it. Color corrected also..

 

[AmberLynneParker]

I like the second one.

 

[Granddad]

I think she'll like Charlies version a lot better. Remember this is a photo that is intended for viewing by her old college friends (I assume). She's not wearing makeup (and some will have themselves shot by a pro after a visit to a hair stylist and a MUA) so a little gentle help won't come amiss.

If you can persuade her I'd shoot again and have her get her hair sorted (a decent cut in the same style and/or the use of a brush/comb would be sufficient) and dump the hairband. She's a nice looking woman and she could look a lot better than she does. If she doesn't go for make up that's fine, you sort the rest in post and keep the natural "country girl" look. I'll bet some of her class mates go over the top and end up looking like the bride of Wildenstein.

P.S. If you shoot again don't let her do the biting her bottom lip thing (which is what she appears to be doing), it makes her lips look almost non-existent.

 

[allison_dcp]

Thanks all for your comments. She actually ahd quite a bit of makeup on....I did some skin smoothing myself PP.

 

[The_Traveler]

And shoot at a smaller aperture, like 5.6.
This shot is not sharp anywhere and while sharpness is overrated, it's important for eyebrows and eyes.

 

[CA_]

Did a quick edit to give you an idea of what I thought might work for you. In a lot of the shots, her body is more lit than her eyes, when the eyes should be well let and the light should fall off from there (IMO).

 

[OrbitalJosh]

I'm not sure whether you've airbrushed her in photoshop or she's just worn a little too much make up but its may be a good idea to go a bit easier on it next time. You don't want her looking like a lass from Sunderland!

 

[cgipson1]

View attachment 30898

Did a quick edit to give you an idea of what I thought might work for you. In a lot of the shots, her body is more lit than her eyes, when the eyes should be well let and the light should fall off from there (IMO).

She is attractive for her age.. but your edit, I don't feel that is a flattering look at all.. almost ghastly! It really emphasizes every line and wrinkle.. and the skin color is off... badly! (IMO)