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Archive 2013 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

warrenjrphotog
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

I'm looking to buy my first background support system + backdrop which I will be using primarily for corporate style portraits & head shot's.

I think that I have a pretty good idea of how to do this with a two light setup and practiced in a parking lot using one speed light in a 24X24 Softbox, white portion of the 5 in 1 reflector for fill, and 1 back ground light to separate my subject from the backdrop.

Any C&C or input on the lighting of my subject & background lighting would be greatly appreciated. I understand that the portraits are plain but I set this photo shoot up with my fiance (also my assistant) for practice.

Thanks and all the best.

aug 27 '13-1-2 by warrenjrphotography.com, on Flickr

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95083523@N03/9613560082/" title="aug 27 '13-final by warrenjrphotography.com, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/9613560082_fc32351033_b.jpg" width="1024" height="683" alt="aug 27 '13-final"></a>

aug 27 '13-1 by warrenjrphotography.com, on Flickr

aug 27 '13-3 by warrenjrphotography.com, on Flickr

Edited on Aug 29, 2013 at 03:01 PM · View previous versions

Aug 27, 2013 at 11:58 PM

Jim Rickards
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

I don't think your background light added to the background separation all that much. DOF did, however.

I know this is a lighting test, so I won't mention the quality of the smiles.

Aug 28, 2013 at 12:20 AM

warrenjrphotog
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

Jim Rickards wrote:
I don't think your background light added to the background separation all that much. DOF did, however.

I know this is a lighting test, so I won't mention the quality of the smiles.

Haha thanks, the background light was gelled blue to match her top otherwise it was a gray color so it was used to slightly add some separation & color match my subjects top.

Thanks for the input and all the best.

Aug 28, 2013 at 12:27 AM

jackhopkins
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

The blue background actually clashes with the shade of her top, I think. The gray might have been better. You might consider using that bkgd light for a hair light. Good start.

Aug 28, 2013 at 10:01 AM

dmacmillan
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

I like the fact you have your main in close. I suggest raising it to get more of a loop pattern, which should help with the modeling of the face.

I also suggest you turn your subject's shoulders slightly away from the key, then have them turn their face slightly towards the key. You may have to adjust your key by moving it to the right a smidge. You'll now have the subject short lit. This is the old tried and true 1-2-3 pose, which works well.

Did you use a white balance card? The skin tones look a little cool. I normally use a WhiBal card to help establish neutral, then warm up slightly.

I don't know if you're going to take a series of employee photos, but if you do, consistency is helpful if they will be displayed or published side by side. Lightroom really helps. Once I get the first image to my liking, I copy the settings to the rest of the images. Some may require a little tweaking, but this is a great and easy way to get them consistent.

I also agree a subtle hair light would be nice.

Good luck!

Aug 28, 2013 at 10:53 AM

jefferies1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

If you want to do corporate photos then why are you in a parking lot. Few executives will want to follow you outside to do a shoot. At least not where I live in 105 degree heat. Well maybe today as it is only hitting 96. Anyway the sun light changes the whole setup. You are not using 2 lights but 2 plus the sun. I would prefer to see what you can do inside a room with low of ceilings and funny wall colors. Your standard corporate office look.

For these I would say the WB is off, poor body angle ( really flat to camera) that you need to control. The light is even which is OK but is flat. Needs to define the face more. Adjust light angle and reflector. Got to find a balance. The camera position is not the best for headshots. That position enhances problems. You should be trying to hide problem areas. Subject looks really stiff which is not their fault. It is yours since you are in charge. I would say you have a lot of work to do before booking a job. Do send some inside shots as those will be what most want done.

Aug 28, 2013 at 12:28 PM

alohadave
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

Try to avoid squaring the shoulders to the camera. Have them turn their feet 45 degrees to either side and turn their head to have you. If sitting, turn the chair. They will automatically down correctly in the chair which will position them for you.

Aug 28, 2013 at 12:33 PM

warrenjrphotog
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

Thanks for the advice guys. I will try to respond to all of the responses in this one response.

This photoshoot was primarily a test of being able to get my subject(s) properly lit using only one main light and a reflector.

I understand that her posing is too basic and I agree with those that said so, however she was holding the reflector in place when I took these photos hence why she was facing straight on and not at a 2/3rds angle which was suggested by someone else in this thread.

As for the lighting, I agree more shadows might be nice but from what I've seen from most corporate photos done professionally, most are broad lit and are posed in a full frontal manner or at a two thirds manner. Short lighting is designated for more dramatic lighting from what I understand and have seen.

I will either have her hold a reflector or a reflector holder in place when doing actual corporate shots so that my subject can move into a two thirds position though.

As for white balance, I was not concerned with that since this was a test shoot but I agree, consistency is important and I use a gray card for that when it counts and set the WB in LR for all of the shots taken in the same set/lighting for consistency's sake.

As for why I had the photoshoot outside:

It was a photoshoot for me to hone my skills and practice.

Also, she's stiff because she's holding a reflector and like I said before this was a mere test to make sure that I could get the background light working in conjunction with the main/fill.

My next practice session I will focus on posing her at a 45 degree angle which seems to be the standard, doing a full frontal angle like I did in this pohoto shoot, and a landscape shoulders facing a 45 degree angle with head over the left or right shoulder landscape oriented pose.

Personally I believe that in 1-2 more practice sessions of honing my skills with an actual backdrop and my assistant being used I will be fully capable of taking great corporate headshots but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that.

I will be getting a studio & backdrop within the next week and will continue to practice and through practicing and getting feedback be able to produce the best possible corporate head shots possible thus providing the best possible services to my clients.

Also, as far as a hair light is concerned, that would be good idea but right now I'm only working with two flashes (one which will be used for a backdrop/separation light placed directly behind my subject, a main light, and a reflector for fill.

Thanks again guys and all the best.

Aug 28, 2013 at 06:58 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

Here's what I learned about shooting headshots from time to time. One, every environment you shoot in is different, so the lighting can be different. Two, one light on the subject does not really make up a professional head shot. I usually use three -- main, fill, hair -- but that doesn't mean it's the only way to do it "right". Three, it's pretty unlikely that a Fortune 500 company is going to hire you to do headshots, so take what you can get and hone your skills. I don't think you should think of it as needing to practice 1 or 2 more times, and you're all set. Every environment is different, and you need to be able to step into it confidently and set up the lighting and go. Good luck.

Aug 28, 2013 at 09:26 PM

warrenjrphotog
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

friscoron wrote:
Here's what I learned about shooting headshots from time to time. One, every environment you shoot in is different, so the lighting can be different. Two, one light on the subject does not really make up a professional head shot. I usually use three -- main, fill, hair -- but that doesn't mean it's the only way to do it "right". Three, it's pretty unlikely that a Fortune 500 company is going to hire you to do headshots, so take what you can get and hone your skills. I don't think you should think of it as needing to practice...Show more →

Thank you but someones opinion of me or anyone does not have to become that persons reality.

Your opinion of a professional headshot is different than mines and probably different from lots of other people. I know people that shoot headshots using only available lighting, on camera flash, and even one lighting setups and they make good money.

I know for a fact that I'm ready to shoot corporate level head shot's & portraits. I only need to shoot 1-2 more head shot sessions with a gray seamless backdrop for portfolio reference and I'm ready. Photography is about 75% business/marketing and 25% ability.

I have seen the headshot work done in my area and I know that most use a basic lighting setup and high key broad lighting which can be done with a one light headshot, reflector, and 1 background light.

I accomplished my goal of being able to shoot headshots with a one light setup during this photoshoot so I know that using one light is capable in my opinion of shooting professional quality headshots.

Heck some even shoot corporate head shots using only available light or one light only which proves business skills > ability.

I plan on photographing attorney's, small business owners, DR's, and will do so to make a living as apart of my business.

All the best.

Aug 28, 2013 at 10:17 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

I'm not even sure what you mean by someone's opinion not having to become someone's reality. I was simply sharing my experience of shooting head shots. And of course, my experience and style is different from others, and there is no single right way of doing it. I was using my lighting style of shooting headshots only because it related to your using a light and reflector.

If you're ready to shoot corporate head shots, why are you asking for feedback from us? And I look forward to hearing about how you shoot your first head shot with the CEO holding a reflector. Be sure he's focused on holding that reflector at the right angle. And if you consider what you've done here to be a professional level of shooting, well... okay. Myself, I've never done a corporate head shot in a parking lot and asked the subject to hold a reflector. But like you said, my opinion and style of a professional head shot is different from most people and I'm perfectly good with mine being different from yours.

You shoot your way, I'll shoot mine. And... good luck.

Aug 29, 2013 at 06:31 AM

SAllem
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

warrenjrphotog wrote:
Any C&C or input would be greatly appreciated.

Love it!!

It always strikes me as odd why some put this in their posts and when they actually do receive C&C, they proceed to disregard it by justifying why they shot it the way that they did.

Always give me a chuckle...

Ron....your last sentence says it best...

Aug 29, 2013 at 09:42 AM

jeremy_clay
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

From what I understand based on posts on this forum, the theme is
millerphoto wrote:
A critic is someone that wished that he or she could do the work like a colleague but can't so they pick the work apart in order to satisfy themselves and to put them on the same level..

Aug 29, 2013 at 09:55 AM

Evan Baines
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

jeremy_clay wrote:
From what I understand based on posts on this forum, the theme is
.

I would add that responding to a solicited critique with anything other than "thank you" is poor policy. Whether or not you agree with a critique offered, there is no need to argue with it... ever.

Aug 29, 2013 at 10:07 AM

warrenjrphotog
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

friscoron wrote:
I'm not even sure what you mean by someone's opinion not having to become someone's reality. I was simply sharing my experience of shooting head shots. And of course, my experience and style is different from others, and there is no single right way of doing it. I was using my lighting style of shooting headshots only because it related to your using a light and reflector.

If you're ready to shoot corporate head shots, why are you asking for feedback from us? And I look forward to hearing about how you shoot your first head shot with the CEO...Show more →

You failed to completely read my posts before responding or else you wouldn't have mentioned CEO's holding reflectors or shooting corporate photographs in a parking lot.

Thanks for your input though.

Aug 29, 2013 at 02:14 PM

Kohala
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

alohadave wrote:
Try to avoid squaring the shoulders to the camera. Have them turn their feet 45 degrees to either side and turn their head to have you. If sitting, turn the chair. They will automatically down correctly in the chair which will position them for you.

+1

Aug 29, 2013 at 02:28 PM

warrenjrphotog
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

SAllem wrote:
Love it!!

It always strikes me as odd why some put this in their posts and when they actually do receive C&C, they proceed to disregard it by justifying why they shot it the way that they did.

Always give me a chuckle...

Ron....your last sentence says it best...

Again, you failed to completely read and/or comprehend my goal of this photo shoot or my posts and my acknowledgements to the intelligent posters that did give me sound advice.

I had two or three posters that gave me sound advice in the beginning, one mentioned to use a "1-2-3" pose where your subject is turned 45 degrees towards the flash or away as the pose looks better and he also suggested more of a defined loop lighting pattern both of which were good advice and solid critique.

Another poster mentioned a hair light which was was also a good point that I will take into consideration for future photo shoots when I have a third light that can be used as a hair light.

Most of the other posters failed to read and/or comprehend all of my posts as I mentioned that my main goal was to get a clean, broad lit, high key headshot and utilize a background light properly.

Failure for some posters to respond in a direct manner to the questions and critique asked for is to be expected in a public forum though as not all posters will thoroughly read a thread the whole thread or will not directly critique what the original poster asked for critique on. The first few posters were spot on though and were professional and direct in their critique in response to what I was asking for.

I mentioned specifically that I was looking for advice on my subject lighting and the background light not on stuff that is irrelevant such as shooting my subject outside (if some of the posters would read the whole thread thoroughly before posting, they would have read that this was a test shoot and that I am awaiting a backdrop which I will be using indoors), my subject holding a reflector is also irrelevant as I mentioned that she is my assistant and on professional shoots she will either be holding the reflector or I will be holding a reflector stand.

I got the advice needed after the first few posts so this thread is now over and I moved on since now I know what needs to be done next. I hope that my post was clear and concise and that the posters that did not contribute to the critique or questions asked will do so in the future now.

dmacmillan & alohadave were the direct contributes that I was talking about. Kudos to them.

Also, I clarified the original post to make it clear for the people that did not thoroughly read the thread to understand what I was looking for critique on.

All the best.

Aug 29, 2013 at 02:57 PM

Kohala
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

Frankly, there's nothing good about this pose.

1. This is the infamous "linebacker" pose. Facing the camera straight on usually makes the model look heavier. Not a good thing.
2. The eyes appear out of focus and the model is squinting.
3. The expression is awkward. She looks pained.
4. Her hair is a mess
5. Her skin looks over processed.

She is very attractive and deserved better.

Sorry for being so harsh, but you seem to be immune to criticism.

Aug 29, 2013 at 03:54 PM

warrenjrphotog
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

Kohala wrote:
Frankly, there's nothing good about this pose.

1. This is the infamous "linebacker" pose. Facing the camera straight on usually makes the model look heavier. Not a good thing.
2. The eyes appear out of focus and the model is squinting.
3. The expression is awkward. She looks pained.
4. Her hair is a mess
5. Her skin looks over processed.

She is very attractive and deserved better.

Sorry for being so harsh, but you seem to be immune to criticism.

Again, you failed to read my original post, you failed to read what I was looking for advice or criticism on, and you missed the ballpoint by miles.

Also, now you're just trolling as you ignored my post right above yours and you're probably just upset that I think that your critique is useless. I'm going to retort your critique just for the fun of it.

1. I never asked for advice on the pose, check out the photos on my website, I know how to pose people for head shots already (I got a great tip as well from another member in this thread and from looking at other professional photographers work), also this pose can be used with various other poses.

2. The eyes are in tack sharp focus and could be made even sharper through PP. Even if they were soft it's irrelevant I never asked for advice on that.

3. The expression is irrelevant, I never asked for advice on the expression. I would look pained or lugubrious as well holding a 5 in 1 reflector trying to smile. Again, never asked for criticism or advice on that so it's irrelevant.

4. I could care less about her hair, I asked for advice on the lighting not her hair or smile, please read a post thoroughly next time or learn how to critique from the posters that I mentioned in my prior post that did a great job.

5. This post of yours has me asking myself if you're trolling or not. You might be asking yourself why. The reason being is that the photos are straight out of the camera unedited.....no skin processing, blemish removing, white balance correction, or sharpening was done on any of these photos.

Theres no point in me continuing to read future posts because I already got the critique that I needed.

Edited on Aug 29, 2013 at 07:19 PM · View previous versions

Aug 29, 2013 at 04:09 PM

friscoron
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Looking for C&C on Basic Headshots

In your original post, before you edited it, you did ask for c&c and input without specifying what you wanted -- or more importantly what you didn't want.

It's too bad that you're missing on some good feedback. I've held back from asking why you would practice outdoors with lighting when you planned to shoot indoors -- because the lighting is just a tad bit different, indoors from outdoors.

My last suggestion to you is next to seek input on how to take helpful, constructive criticism. While your photography could improve, your forum manners are dreadful.

Aug 29, 2013 at 04:32 PM

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