Headshot session for portfolio - still waiting on her selections but I got inspired and worked up a few different looks for variety.
In keeping with the anti-Photoshop sentiment in the industry currently - retouching was kept to a minimum. The main image selections will probably have even less.
I think the shots are good overall. Maybe the blacks a bit crushed, maybe not. In terms of being anti-Photoshop, there's nothing wrong with minor things as long as she's not being misrepresented. For instance, in some of these shots her upper lip looks very smooth and others it seems blotchy. If that's a lipstick thing then fix it by all means, If that's a pigmentation thing then not, but it looks, from here, like the lipstick but I could be wrong. That's the first thing that jumped out at me.
She is indeed a beautiful woman with an engaging smile! You did her proud!!
Now I would like to ask you and the other portrait photographer's a question. I am not demeaning anyone's compositions. I have seen many remarks concerning the crop in #1. Not full head showing.......
I know you members have legitimate reasons so please educate me on the why's? It is just I don't know why the head is not in full.
Thanks!
And again beautiful work! Please pardon me inserting an OP and non OP question in the post. PLease PM me with your view of my request, if anyone feels they are, or me, infringing on the OP's thread.
Dan
Peter Figen wrote:
I think the shots are good overall. Maybe the blacks a bit crushed, maybe not. In terms of being anti-Photoshop, there's nothing wrong with minor things as long as she's not being misrepresented. For instance, in some of these shots her upper lip looks very smooth and others it seems blotchy. If that's a lipstick thing then fix it by all means, If that's a pigmentation thing then not, but it looks, from here, like the lipstick but I could be wrong. That's the first thing that jumped out at me.
Thank you for the keen eye and comments - I'm always working to improve so it's very much appreciated!
While I can see fine detail of fabric in the blacks zoomed to 200% on a 5K monitor, it doesn't mean everyone else will be able to - nor would it translate very well in print - so if it's tracking as crushed, I should probably back off on the blacks a bit for sure! (Black was actually added in post)
The lipstick thing is interesting and I'd like to learn more - here's a zoom view of each of the 4 - Some of them I used selective color to shift the tone. She's using lip gloss that went over the edges, so wondering if I should clean that up to create more defined lines? In #4 (outside shot) it's for sure messy/splotchy and could be fixed. That image never started out as a headshot but the crop demonstrates that it could be used that way - it's also brought attention to the lipstick flaws. (Since it was a headshot session after all).
Danpbphoto wrote:
She is indeed a beautiful woman with an engaging smile! You did her proud!!
Now I would like to ask you and the other portrait photographer's a question. I am not demeaning anyone's compositions. I have seen many remarks concerning the crop in #1. Not full head showing.......
I know you members have legitimate reasons so please educate me on the why's? It is just I don't know why the head is not in full.
Thanks!
And again beautiful work!
Dan
Very much appreciated Dan!
FWIW - The haircut/head chop/crop is not something I do very often and always an individual choice/taste. IMO it's entirely inappropriate for corporate/business type headshots .... However it is something that's widely used and accepted in the creative arts/talent agencies.
The theory behind it is - it brings more emphasis to the eyes. It's also both more intimate and impactful. I went with it for this reason, and to also break out of the "standard crop" rut and add some variety. It wasn't framed like this - so I can always add headroom back if the client prefers.
Hope this helps - it won't end the ongoing photographer debate, but that's how I view using it.
FWIW - The haircut/head chop/crop is not something I do very often and always an individual choice/taste. IMO it's entirely inappropriate for corporate/business type headshots .... However it is something that's widely used and accepted in the creative arts/talent agencies.
The theory behind it is - it brings more emphasis to the eyes. It's also both more intimate and impactful. I went with it for this reason, and to also break out of the "standard crop" rut and add some variety. It wasn't framed like this - so I can always add headroom back if the client prefers.
Hope this helps - it won't end the ongoing photographer debate, but that's how I view using it. ...Show more →
Thank you for your explanation! I see more now and concur. I see it in many very fine portraits here and always wondered why. There were very few "why did you crop off her head" comments so I perceived it to be an acceptable process.
I just wanted to here from you experts and formulate a more rounded knowledge as why something is done.
Appreciate you taking the time to indulge my lack of knowledge!
Dan
Dan
The two outdoor locations are great and should work nicely for the entertainment industry. The second pic seems more "corporate", imo. Cropping is very subjective in the industry. Nicely done.
