Sorry I couldn't figure out where to post this quandary - my business is headshots/portraits and accurate color of course is important as I deal with many different types of humans.
I've been engaged by some folks at a satellite office in my town, and corporate wants the background etc. to match. No problem but I went to the corporate site and was aghast - every headshot looked like they had overdosed on tanning solution and were in a dimly lit corner.
I might be able to ballpark replicate the look but the color is horrific. Lighting is bad. So am I expected to output garbage?
Rather than getting into any discussion about accurate color - maybe I give them the natural toned finished image - and one that's badly tinted and underexposed to match theirs? I'm cringing at the thought, but I also don't want to insult them by telling them things are awry in their own office - so just not sure.
You need to ask them. Say that, as they are now, the lighting is ‘unusual’ and/or not what you’re used to producing, then ask them whether you should be matching precisely the look of the older shots, or can you produce something that you, and hopefully they, will prefer. Then do what they want. You have advised them in diplomatic terms. You can’t really do much more than that.
Robin Smith wrote:
You need to ask them. Say that, as they are now, the lighting is ‘unusual’ and/or not what you’re used to producing, then ask them whether you should be matching precisely the look of the older shots, or can you produce something that you, and hopefully they, will prefer. Then do what they want. You have advised them in diplomatic terms. You can’t really do much more than that.
Agreed. As unusual as it seems, it may be their branding. I've freelanced for headshot companies that have gone so far as to spec the light, modifier, exact height the lightstand will be at, lens, aperture, etc. They want the images to look consistent across the board, even though there's a lot of room for improvement. At which point I am no longer a creative photographer, just a camera operator. But hey 🤑
Thanks for the replies! It's been a bit difficult as I'm talking to the local exec and they aren't getting the kind of feedback from corporate I've requested thus far. Just saying "show (the photographer) the background" to "keep it consistent".
The have a LOT of these on their site and something color correct would radically stand out - especially on a fair skin redhead - so I guess it's kind of going to have to go that off color tinted direction... guess I knew that already, ha
I shoot headshots and portraits for more than 20 years. I was asked many times to replicate look and feel of images taken in the past and come up with results that resemble their artistic/branding vision. This is quite normal. When the quality of work done in the past is subpar and look pretty darn bad, I usually inform the client that I can not accept these terms. Putting your name under some mediocre work just because the client like that s**t will only hurt your reputation.
KE_Photo wrote:
Thanks for the replies! It's been a bit difficult as I'm talking to the local exec and they aren't getting the kind of feedback from corporate I've requested thus far. Just saying "show (the photographer) the background" to "keep it consistent".
The have a LOT of these on their site and something color correct would radically stand out - especially on a fair skin redhead - so I guess it's kind of going to have to go that off color tinted direction... guess I knew that already, ha
I took a look at your website and you do seem very color accurate (or at least consistent!). I say do the job and not use it for your portfolio or admit the images are yours.
KE_Photo wrote:
Thanks for the replies! It's been a bit difficult as I'm talking to the local exec and they aren't getting the kind of feedback from corporate I've requested thus far. Just saying "show (the photographer) the background" to "keep it consistent".
The have a LOT of these on their site and something color correct would radically stand out - especially on a fair skin redhead - so I guess it's kind of going to have to go that off color tinted direction... guess I knew that already, ha
I completed the processing as normal - and then for the one selection created an extra copy with the off color match to the company's images. They were happy.
Sometimes one just has to deal with a goofy client. Certainly not my worst. That would have been an outright fistfight at a family reunion shoot. haha
