My daughter's best friend since they 4 years old, asked me if I would take some headshots of her. She is seeking a new job, and wished to update her resume photo. This was a new experience for me, as generally, the only time people are in my photos are when they are participating in some sports activity. So, I treated this as "old dog learning new tricks".
We did this shoot at her house. I occasionally used bounce flash, but for the most part depended on available light. I used my Canon 1DXII and 70-200 f2.8L II. I shot in Av mode @ f3.5, ISO "auto". These were all handheld. At times, in close quarters, it was a little tight for that focal length. However, I did find in post that I ended up cropping tighter than I expected. Learning again.
Lindsey did the hard part by being a great subject. All I did was check focus, offer suggestions and press shutter button.
I look forward to all comments and constructive suggestions.
Tom
I'll have a kick at the can here.
Please don't take what I say as right, I'm still learning. Wait for some of the good portrait guys to chime in.
Beautiful lady!
#1 I think I would have turned her head more or less. In this position her right eye looks a bit cross eyed and smaller than the left. Not 100% sure if that would fix it.
#2 looks fine to me.
#3 Her right arm should be moved. Its making her look wider than it should. Either pose it inside her body line or create an air gap (hand on hip) will show her form better. The left hand thumb should be on the table as well. I also think the camera should have been a bit higher and the legs should be crossed more to create a narrowing point. She is also posed straight on maybe turn her a bit.
#4 same issue as #1 with the eye.
I don't know what profession she is in but maybe a change of wardrobe i.e. a business suit to mix it up a bit? Think you should maybe try some poses that are less straight on to camera, but I'm not sure if that's applicable to business photos.
I'm reading a book on posing and this stuff is still fresh in my mind lol. I'm using your shoot to practice my visualization. Looking forward to reading the critique from some of the pros!
Like I said earlier she is very pretty and you did a good job of showing that!
P.s. It's also way easier to sit here as an armchair QB after the shoot is done and offer criticism vs being behind the camera in the moment.
When I've done portraits for peoples work I usually send them some examples of what I consider to be successful portraits (also a work sheet about basic hygiene...shopping out nose hairs is a pain). That way they can start to think about how they want potential employers to perceive them. Some people like things to be more casual ... some prefer to be more professional. Most people think that when they show up the camera will magically just make things happen. It takes some prep.
What kind of props will work to help convey this image of themselves...wardrobe changes, nice bag, laptop, small suite case, some want to wear a really nice watch and incorporate it.
Then we need to think about location. Downtown in the business district (or what looks like one). Airports. Inside an office building. Office hallway. Meeting room.
Posing, power poses, inviting poses...moving...sitting. These generally aren't models so want to send them lots of examples.
What image do they want to convey to potential employers. A photo of a future vet is going to be completely different then a future fund manager. You want to work with them to get that idea then tell a story with the picture. These are really nice pictures, she's a beautiful young lady with her whole life ahead of her. Where does she want to go? Tell the story.
Only technical feedback...Photo 3 there is a shadow to her right...probably because it was a bit tight and you needed her close to the wall.
I think you did a fine job, and provided her just what she needed.
To take these to a higher level, here are my suggestions. On 1 and 2, you can see the main light source is to her right (our left). I would want to use that light source, so I would either turn her into it, or away from it. Look at the light on her nose. It's really bright on one side, not so much on the other. You typically want to avoid that. On the closeup, shot #1, you can see that her eyes are a bit dark, and that's because she's not facing into the brighter light source. You have really great natural light there. I would have used it.
On three, against the white wall, another sign of a higher level shot is not having shadows unless you want them/they serve a purpose. A white wall is a great backdrop, esp for a headshot. But have her step away from the wall so the shadow doesn't show up. It's not unusual for us to have the subject 5, 6, or even 8 feet or more away from the backdrop.
Shot #4 is really nice! I still think the main light source is to her right (our left) as her hair on that side is much brighter. If it's direct sunlight, which I don't think it is in this case, I'd turn them away from the sun. But in this case, it looks like indirect light, which is really soft and flattering. I would have turned her into the light. Looks like you used your flash here with some kind of modifier because the light is soft. If that's right, you did a really good job of matching the flash with the ambient light. If it is just natural light, you did a great job facing her into it. The fact that I'm not entirely certain if it's a flash or natural light means you did a really good job either way.
Doc25 wrote:
I'll have a kick at the can here.
Please don't take what I say as right, I'm still learning. Wait for some of the good portrait guys to chime in.
Beautiful lady!
#1 I think I would have turned her head more or less. In this position her right eye looks a bit cross eyed and smaller than the left. Not 100% sure if that would fix it.
#2 looks fine to me.
#3 Her right arm should be moved. Its making her look wider than it should. Either pose it inside her body line or create an air gap (hand on hip) will show her form better. The left hand thumb should be on the table as well. I also think the camera should have been a bit higher and the legs should be crossed more to create a narrowing point. She is also posed straight on maybe turn her a bit.
#4 same issue as #1 with the eye.
I don't know what profession she is in but maybe a change of wardrobe i.e. a business suit to mix it up a bit? Think you should maybe try some poses that are less straight on to camera, but I'm not sure if that's applicable to business photos.
I'm reading a book on posing and this stuff is still fresh in my mind lol. I'm using your shoot to practice my visualization. Looking forward to reading the critique from some of the pros!
Like I said earlier she is very pretty and you did a good job of showing that!
P.s. It's also way easier to sit here as an armchair QB after the shoot is done and offer criticism vs being behind the camera in the moment....Show more →
Doc25_ very helpful and spot on suggestions. This is why I posted, as I'm learning skills that are out of my comfort zone.
Thanks.
tgrantster wrote:
When I've done portraits for peoples work I usually send them some examples of what I consider to be successful portraits (also a work sheet about basic hygiene...shopping out nose hairs is a pain). That way they can start to think about how they want potential employers to perceive them. Some people like things to be more casual ... some prefer to be more professional. Most people think that when they show up the camera will magically just make things happen. It takes some prep.
What kind of props will work to help convey this image of themselves...wardrobe changes, nice bag, laptop, small suite case, some want to wear a really nice watch and incorporate it.
Then we need to think about location. Downtown in the business district (or what looks like one). Airports. Inside an office building. Office hallway. Meeting room.
Posing, power poses, inviting poses...moving...sitting. These generally aren't models so want to send them lots of examples.
What image do they want to convey to potential employers. A photo of a future vet is going to be completely different then a future fund manager. You want to work with them to get that idea then tell a story with the picture. These are really nice pictures, she's a beautiful young lady with her whole life ahead of her. Where does she want to go? Tell the story.
Only technical feedback...Photo 3 there is a shadow to her right...probably because it was a bit tight and you needed her close to the wall.
tgrantster, yes, preparation is a critical key to conveying interest to specific entity, and you have listed some very useful setups to think about when planning a shoot. Thank you for your insight.
friscoron wrote:
I think you did a fine job, and provided her just what she needed.
To take these to a higher level, here are my suggestions. On 1 and 2, you can see the main light source is to her right (our left). I would want to use that light source, so I would either turn her into it, or away from it. Look at the light on her nose. It's really bright on one side, not so much on the other. You typically want to avoid that. On the closeup, shot #1, you can see that her eyes are a bit dark, and that's because she's not facing into the brighter light source. You have really great natural light there. I would have used it.
On three, against the white wall, another sign of a higher level shot is not having shadows unless you want them/they serve a purpose. A white wall is a great backdrop, esp for a headshot. But have her step away from the wall so the shadow doesn't show up. It's not unusual for us to have the subject 5, 6, or even 8 feet or more away from the backdrop.
Shot #4 is really nice! I still think the main light source is to her right (our left) as her hair on that side is much brighter. If it's direct sunlight, which I don't think it is in this case, I'd turn them away from the sun. But in this case, it looks like indirect light, which is really soft and flattering. I would have turned her into the light. Looks like you used your flash here with some kind of modifier because the light is soft. If that's right, you did a really good job of matching the flash with the ambient light. If it is just natural light, you did a great job facing her into it. The fact that I'm not entirely certain if it's a flash or natural light means you did a really good job either way.
friscoron,
Thanks for weighing in here as you did pick up on the shooting conditions, particularly with the confined spaces I had to shoot (shadows evident on wall). You also noted that her eyes were dark and that is the first think a friend of mine mentioned. Most all the shots were with ambient light, and that is what I ended up posting, as the ones with bounce flash were a little to "commercialized" for my taste.
Thanks again for taking time to offer your highly positive suggestions.
Tom
Ron is a crackerjack photographer and gave you an excellent critique.
Your subject is lovely, the question I would ask is what kind of job she is seeking. That would affect the style of the photos and her wardrobe choices.
These do not look like professional poses. To be clear, technically I think they are fine. Could some photographic things have been tweaked a little? Maybe, but overall I think that stuff works.
In general, I think the poses need a bit of help. She is grinning too broadly for my taste. A nice closed lip-or a small gap-smile. Think pleasant and upbeat, rather than “I am so happy!!” Don’t get me wrong. She has a nice smile, and were these party photos, they would be fine, but she is looking for a job.
One of you should do some research into what look is good for the types of jobs she wants. And a 1/2 or 3/4 length photo would be a non-starter for me. Head and shoulders only.
ross attix wrote:
These do not look like professional poses. To be clear, technically I think they are fine. Could some photographic things have been tweaked a little? Maybe, but overall I think that stuff works.
In general, I think the poses need a bit of help. She is grinning too broadly for my taste. A nice closed lip-or a small gap-smile. Think pleasant and upbeat, rather than “I am so happy!!” Don’t get me wrong. She has a nice smile, and were these party photos, they would be fine, but she is looking for a job.
One of you should do some research into what look is good for the types of jobs she wants. And a 1/2 or 3/4 length photo would be a non-starter for me. Head and shoulders only.
Ross,
Given your experience, and the platitudes others afford you, the nuances you've pointed out are extremely helpful. Suggestions as to poses and characteristics of her smile are spot on. As a close friend, it might be difficult for me to present changes tactfully, and as a male, to not to offend her. I look forward to any suggestions regarding this sensitive issue.
Quicksetter1 wrote:
Ross,
Given your experience, and the platitudes others afford you, the nuances you've pointed out are extremely helpful. Suggestions as to poses and characteristics of her smile are spot on. As a close friend, it might be difficult for me to present changes tactfully, and as a male, to not to offend her. I look forward to any suggestions regarding this sensitive issue.
Tom
I don’t think it has to be a difficult conversation at all, and definitely don’t think your being a male is relevant. This is a business thing.
If either of you check out a random group of photos on whatever site she is using, LinkedIn comes to mind, and see that many of the samples are showing somewhat wide smiles, then just chalk my comments up to one man’s opinion. If not, and the looks are different, then I would take that direction.
(If you are hesitant to have this conversation, maybe you yourself take a look. Then use the results of that to either remain quiet-if she seems satisfied with the first shoot-or say, hey, I think we should take another run at this….)
I just reread tgrantster’s answer above, and I think that covers it better than mine!
For people with one small eye - putting the small eye further from the camera only emphasizes it - so one trick is to turn them so the small eye is closest to camera which will help balance things out. If this doesn't work - Photoshop/Liquify filter newer versions have left/right eye size enhancement features.
Just my opinion - not a fan of hard, short lighting (#1, #2) for her in these
Crops - are the framing of these SOOC? Consider giving yourself some more room while shooting to crop and rotate in post.
Straighten and crop #1 to 4:5 (IMO the headshot standard)
#2, #3 - awkward dead space above - #3 cut off fingertips
Poorly framed images left in the 2:3 default aspect ratio tend to look like snapshots....reframe or crop!
#3 - the lighting struggles a bit here - almost looks like bare hot shoe flash based on the wall shadow. Bigger softer light modifiers help in these cases. (Possibly more than one light would help too)
#4 - Probably my favorite - the bright overcast skies look might have had me looking for a shadier spot to then combine with reflector or fill flash.
The post looks a bit like NIK "Glamour Glow"? - YMMV. Hope my feedback is taken as helpful and not overly critical.
