Headshot Advice?

[BrieKayee]

my step-dad has asked me to do a author headshot for his book. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[tirediron]

Do a good job?



Your question is pretty broad, but in general, I find headshots work best when kept simple. I use a single softbox high and left, and a reflector close in right (or vice versa if it's your preference) shoot a little loose if you don't know what the final crop ratio is going to be (Ideally find out what the publisher's requirements are ahead of time). PAY ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS!!!!!!!!!!!! Ensure his clothes are neat and pressed, tie is straight, knot tight and properly tied, if he's wearing rings, make sure they're right way 'round, (if they're going to be in the shot) if he's wearing a neck chain make sure it's even and centred, check for stray hairs, lint, etc. Take an hour and do a Google image search to find poses that he likes and that you can make work. Choose an appropriate, non-distracting background, and ideally light it about 1/3 - 1/2 stop under his face.

Good luck!

 

[Gavjenks]

Elbow patches. Also a pipe and a typewriter.

You will sell at least 10% more books.

 

[TATTRAT]

Elbow patches. Also a pipe and a typewriter.

You will sell at least 10% more books.

I would go for just a satin smoking robe. A luscious ascot. A hand whittled pipe. Head/upper torso shot from a high angle with pops looking up and to the side.

2 tigers, a few scantily clad women, shoot from a high angle to have opulence in the background in bokeh.

 

[Derrel]

Elbow patches. Also a pipe and a typewriter.

You will sell at least 10% more books.

I would go for just a satin smoking robe. A luscious ascot. A hand whittled pipe. Head/upper torso shot from a high angle with pops looking up and to the side.

2 tigers, a few scantily clad women, shoot from a high angle to have opulence in the background in bokeh.

And of course, he simply must be seated in an opulent leather armchair, and across his lap an open classic double rifle, in something proper and old-school, like say .416 Rigby.

 

[sashbar]

Elbow patches. Also a pipe and a typewriter.

You will sell at least 10% more books.

A pair of hip glasses will add another 2%

 

[hirejn]

Hire a professional.

 

[Buckster]

I would think it depends, at least partially, on what kind of book it is. I think the author's photo on the jacket would best serve the work inside if it helped reflect the work.

If it is a scholarly work, the author should look scholarly, not like a clown. If it's a humorous book though, just the opposite could be true. I would start with that idea in my head.

Next, I think it might be worth looking at portraits of authors. Google Image is a great place for that: https://www.google.com/search?q=boo...mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&um=1&imgdii=_

It wouldn't hurt to have the author take a look also, and point to some examples of what s/he thinks they'd like on THEIR book cover.

Finally, how are you at reverse-engineering the light and shadow you see in a photo, and do you have any lighting and modifying gear? The more you have in the way of ability and gear to emulate what you see, the more capable you're going to be.