c.cloudwalker
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2009
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Most headshot threads I have seen on the forum have had close to nothing to do with headshots except for the fact that there was a head in the shot. Unfortunately few photogs seem to know what that animal is and the result is that few people (photogs and subjects both) are being told that their headshot is not a headshot.
Yet, in photography, the headshot is a very specific type of image with a very specific use. A heashot is a portrait of sort but a portrait is not necessarily a headshot.
Although I have done some over the years, I am not a headshot specialist and there is very little good info on the web about this aspect of photography. There used to be a very good write up on the subject on Model Mayhem but it has been gone for a while so, here is my attempt at telling you what it is.
I'll start with how a headshot is used as it shows why they are as they are. A headshot is used by models and actors (mostly) to show potential casting agents what they really look like. NOT what they could look like.
So, we are not trying to make the subject look good or interesting, only showing reality. And that is why most headshots are boring photos.
A headshot should:
* contain not much more than the head of the subject.
* use a monochrome, flat and featureless background. If using a wall, try and make it OOF if it has any texture.
* have flat boring lighting. A two light set-up, one on each side of the subject like a copy stand is perfect.
* have barely any PP done to it. Removal of a zit is fine as zits are (hopefully) not permanent but removal of a beauty mark is not. Smoothing of the skin, re-shaping of the face, etc are no-nos also.
The subject should:
* face the camera.
* not laugh. Small smiles are fine.
* not wear any heavy make-up. Less is more in this case.
* not wear any funky jewelry. No earrings at all is better imo.
* wear solid color clothing if any shows at all in the image.
Heashots used to be done in B&W for economic reasons I think and, today, color is fine.
Some photogs today are shooting in landscape and I've been told it is acceptable. However, I believe the subject has a much better chance of getting hired if the headshot is portrait oriented. Just imagine a casting agent looking at 200 headshots. Is this person going to bother turning the pile around to look at your landscape headshot? I know I probably wouldn't.
Actors are allowed a bit more leeway than models. More interesting/dramatic lighting and facial expressions are ok so long as they don't mask what the person truly look like.
If I realize I've forgotten something, I'll edit this post. Otherwise, hope that helps.
Yet, in photography, the headshot is a very specific type of image with a very specific use. A heashot is a portrait of sort but a portrait is not necessarily a headshot.
Although I have done some over the years, I am not a headshot specialist and there is very little good info on the web about this aspect of photography. There used to be a very good write up on the subject on Model Mayhem but it has been gone for a while so, here is my attempt at telling you what it is.
I'll start with how a headshot is used as it shows why they are as they are. A headshot is used by models and actors (mostly) to show potential casting agents what they really look like. NOT what they could look like.
So, we are not trying to make the subject look good or interesting, only showing reality. And that is why most headshots are boring photos.
A headshot should:
* contain not much more than the head of the subject.
* use a monochrome, flat and featureless background. If using a wall, try and make it OOF if it has any texture.
* have flat boring lighting. A two light set-up, one on each side of the subject like a copy stand is perfect.
* have barely any PP done to it. Removal of a zit is fine as zits are (hopefully) not permanent but removal of a beauty mark is not. Smoothing of the skin, re-shaping of the face, etc are no-nos also.
The subject should:
* face the camera.
* not laugh. Small smiles are fine.
* not wear any heavy make-up. Less is more in this case.
* not wear any funky jewelry. No earrings at all is better imo.
* wear solid color clothing if any shows at all in the image.
Heashots used to be done in B&W for economic reasons I think and, today, color is fine.
Some photogs today are shooting in landscape and I've been told it is acceptable. However, I believe the subject has a much better chance of getting hired if the headshot is portrait oriented. Just imagine a casting agent looking at 200 headshots. Is this person going to bother turning the pile around to look at your landscape headshot? I know I probably wouldn't.
Actors are allowed a bit more leeway than models. More interesting/dramatic lighting and facial expressions are ok so long as they don't mask what the person truly look like.
If I realize I've forgotten something, I'll edit this post. Otherwise, hope that helps.
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