Portrait C&C

chuasam · Jul 23, 2015

Looking for some good feedback on these bunch of headshots I did recently.
Which is strongest? Which is weakest? Why?

tirediron · Jul 23, 2015

It's hard to really critique headshots without knowing what they're going to be used for. That said, here are a few thoughts:

1. I think the highlights, especially around the forehead are just a tad hot (~ 1/3 stop), and while the squint might be natural, your slightly elevated shooting angle has accentuated it a bit more than ideal.

2. Again, the highlights are just a tad hot. The expression may or may not be appropriate, but I like the image regardless.

3. Very nice! A hairlight may or may not have added to the image, but the overall lighting is very nice.

4. Great catchlights and nice lighting. Given the look and expression, I think the 'square to the camera' pose works well here.

5. IMO, the strongest of the set; lighting is spot on ('though I'm NOT fond of the pinpoint catchlights), expression is good, and the pose is appropriate.

Derrel · Jul 24, 2015

chuasam said:
Looking for some good feedback on these bunch of headshots I did recently.
Which is strongest? Which is weakest? Why?

What do you mean by "Looking for some good feedback"? Do you only want to hear positive things about these photos, or are you asking for honest critique,comments, analysis? I see a lot of views so far, 51, with only one response.

GWWhite · Jul 24, 2015

1 and 2 are over-exposed a bit. 3 and 4 could stand a reflector on the subject's right to reduce the shadows a little. 5 is the best to me. What ALL of them lack is separation of the background from the subject. Posing in #5 is the best to me. Detail is good, you just need to work a bit on the lighting. You can maintain the shadows, they just need to be reduced a little bit. A little too dark for me.

Braineack · Jul 24, 2015

#1and #2 are overexposed?! If anything #1 is underexposed by about a stop.

I do agree they all lack a lot of separation, but the dark shadows don't bother me at all.

The cropping on almost bothers me more than anything, the head is butt up right against the frame but we see lots of chest.

I like the lighting of #4 the best, and not suprisingly--judging by the catchlights--it's the one with the light the closet to the subject. I think the pose is best in #5. You must be saying some nasty things to your models to get them all to scowl so much at you...

chuasam · Jul 25, 2015

Derrel said:
chuasam said:

Looking for some good feedback on these bunch of headshots I did recently.
Which is strongest? Which is weakest? Why?

Click to expand...

What do you mean by "Looking for some good feedback"? Do you only want to hear positive things about these photos, or are you asking for honest critique,comments, analysis? I see a lot of views so far, 51, with only one response.

Ok I meant expert feedback from other headshot photographers rather than the usual peanut gallery.

chuasam · Jul 25, 2015

Braineack said:
#1and #2 are overexposed?! If anything #1 is underexposed by about a stop.

I do agree they all lack a lot of separation, but the dark shadows don't bother me at all.

The cropping on almost bothers me more than anything, the head is butt up right against the frame but we see lots of chest.

I like the lighting of #4 the best, and not suprisingly--judging by the catchlights--it's the one with the light the closet to the subject. I think the pose is best in #5. You must be saying some nasty things to your models to get them all to scowl so much at you...

The cropping is entirely intentional and a stylistic choice. No one cares what the top of the head looks like but the viewer (client) wants to get a hint of the subjects' body type.

As for the purpose of the images, these are for casting. Casting directors are handed a stack of these images and have to pick an actor/talent for a role based on what they see.

The scowl is intensity that they want to project for certain roles.

chuasam · Jul 25, 2015

tirediron said:
It's hard to really critique headshots without knowing what they're going to be used for. That said, here are a few thoughts:

1. I think the highlights, especially around the forehead are just a tad hot (~ 1/3 stop), and while the squint might be natural, your slightly elevated shooting angle has accentuated it a bit more than ideal.

2. Again, the highlights are just a tad hot. The expression may or may not be appropriate, but I like the image regardless.

3. Very nice! A hairlight may or may not have added to the image, but the overall lighting is very nice.

4. Great catchlights and nice lighting. Given the look and expression, I think the 'square to the camera' pose works well here.

5. IMO, the strongest of the set; lighting is spot on ('though I'm NOT fond of the pinpoint catchlights), expression is good, and the pose is appropriate.

Yeah I should go get myself a small tiny strobe for a hairlight. Images are used for talent casting. And IMDB profiles.

chuasam · Jul 25, 2015

GWWhite said:
1 and 2 are over-exposed a bit. 3 and 4 could stand a reflector on the subject's right to reduce the shadows a little. 5 is the best to me. What ALL of them lack is separation of the background from the subject. Posing in #5 is the best to me. Detail is good, you just need to work a bit on the lighting. You can maintain the shadows, they just need to be reduced a little bit. A little too dark for me.

Actually the shadows were darkened when I did the colour grading. I guess I could ease off a little. I was experimenting with the moody intense look for certain talents looking for that kind of role. I also have brightly lit happy shots for their commercial profiles.

tirediron · Jul 25, 2015

chuasam said:
Ok I meant expert feedback from other headshot photographers rather than the usual peanut gallery.

That's a bit harsh isn't it? There are some very, very skilled photographers here at TPF, and simply because they don't shoot headshots full time does NOT make their opinion less valid.

Designer · Jul 25, 2015

chuasam said:
Ok I meant expert feedback from other headshot photographers rather than the usual peanut gallery.

Way to insult nearly everyone here!!

What's the matter, did the professional photographer take exception to your work?

AFAIK, Derrel is one of the few actual professionals here, so if his critique isn't good enough, whose is?

Maybe just send your favored pro a PM instead of asking the entire community and then insulting most of us.

Designer · Jul 25, 2015

ps: I'm glad I didn't offer any critique because I'm you know, part of "the usual peanut gallery".

chuasam · Jul 25, 2015

tirediron said:
chuasam said:

Ok I meant expert feedback from other headshot photographers rather than the usual peanut gallery.

Click to expand...

That's a bit harsh isn't it? There are some very, very skilled photographers here at TPF, and simply because they don't shoot headshots full time does NOT make their opinion less valid.

Just like a pastry chef isn't the best judge of French sauces and a country music star isn't the best arbiter of rap music, I would prefer the critique be from someone with lots of experience doing headshots for actors.

Derrel is a very helpful and experienced enthusiast. Though he doesn't do very much studio stuff.