Headshot C&C

[Trimmed_jennis]

My wifes friend asked us to do some headshots for a resume she's putting together.

I didn't ask for money (you'll see why) but would like to get some honest C&C so i can do better in the future if the opportunity comes.

Shot with D90 & 35 1.8.

Thanks in Advance

 

[kundalini]

I didn't ask for money (you'll see why) but would like to get some honest C&C so i can do better in the future if the opportunity comes.

Do not position your main light from below the subject unless you want that manic, horror film look.

Diffuse your main light to soften the light the light and reduce hard shadows.

Iron the background if it's wrinkled.

Have the subject step away from the background, 6-8 feet if possible.

Assuming her resume is for a professional position, avoid tilts as you have. It looks like a FB shot.


Pretty model. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Scuba]

+1 but also her face image left is blown out. Turn the light down or diffuse it or back it up.

 

[shootermcgavin]

I think with good post processing 2 is able to be used. Basically fixing the stuff that was listed above. I see you live in a fairly warm climate, is there a reason you couldn't take the photo outside? Most portraits try to mimic natural lighting, if it's just a one time thing for your wife it would seem to work in this occasion.

 

[Trimmed_jennis]

Thank you for the suggestions. I wasn't using quality lights but a directional lamp from my living room (terrible i know) and an un covered lamp behind her.

These are headshots for an indie film that they're shooting around the area and she wanted to have a headshot to use. But I see what you mean when you say "facebook shot" how would i remedy this?

I'm saving up to get myself a couple quality lamps for portraits like this.

To answer your question about the lighting outside, with the Daylight savings time in Oklahoma it gets dark around 5:45 and both my Wife & I work full time and this was a last minute deal where she needed them done fairly quickly.

thank you again for the critiques.

 

[bazooka]

The yellow is burning my retinas.

 

[Trimmed_jennis]

then look at the b&w one!!!! hahaha.

 

[TenaciousTins]

Speaking of B+W, that second one isn't half bad in B+W (imo). I just converted it and didn't play with any levels or anything so yeah...

I'm very new at editing the colors and tones in pictures so playing around with the yellow and all that didn't get me far. She is quite pretty and I think the second shot, if done right, would work well.

 

[kundalini]

When I hear the term "headshot", I immediately think of an image that is primarily a shot of the head with the subject looking directly into the lens (#1 & 2) and in portrait orientation (#2 & 3). Expressions are warm and inviting but subtle unless there is a reason to do otherwise. I also think that lighting-wise it should be rather pretty flat, by not having shadows. Artistically this sucks, but the intent trumps sometimes. IMO, the people responsible for casting want to see what this person looks like, not so much at this point of how they can convey expressions.

So my suggestion is 1) shoot RAW so you have more latitude with adjusting the White Balance and other fixes (WB), 2) set your camera WB to tungsten (incandescent)* 3) set your lights so they cross paths on either side of the model with no more than a 45° from lens axis but more like 30° and 3) feather your lights slightly towards the camera so that they light your model but are not positioned directly at your model.

Please keep posting your efforts.

 

[Alpha]

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[heroes19]

Speaking of B+W, that second one isn't half bad in B+W (imo). I just converted it and didn't play with any levels or anything so yeah...

I'm very new at editing the colors and tones in pictures so playing around with the yellow and all that didn't get me far. She is quite pretty and I think the second shot, if done right, would work well.

This is nice.