Headshot How To

[Emerana]

A friend of mine needs a headshot ASAP and has asked me to do it. I am doing it for him tomorrow in my home. I have no special lighting. I have a speedlite 430ex and a 42 inch reflector. I think I am going to use my 50mm 1.8. I am also renting a 70-200mm 2.8 IS but we would have to use it outside

So how should I do this?
What is the criteria for headshots?
Can there be a background or should I put up a sheet or something?

Help!!

 

[Village Idiot]

In your situation? A white sheet that has as few wrinkles as possible. That or a wall that's white. Have the subject stand about 6'-10' away from the background. Make a relector out of a tin foil covered piece of cardboard. Get an index card and a rubber band. Fire your flash pointg straight up with the index card attached to the back with the rubber band to bounce light forwards. Have another person hold the reflector off to one side or another to give the lighting a little depth so it doesn't look like it was shot from straight on.

Just my suggestion for the equipment you have.

 

[Big Mike]

Do you have a window?

http://super.nova.org/DPR/Window/

 

[Emerana]

Thanks. I do sort of have a window I can use. Great site. I think I will give it a try

 

[Los Angeles]

POST YOUR RESULTS

 

[johnnyolsen]

try some natural light with no reflectors, parking garages work wonders for me:
shoot the long lens, not the 50mm
http://johnnyolsen.com/headshots/headshots.shtml