Yearbook Photo: Need some advice. I have a friend you needs a simple yearbook photo for her high school son. Requirments are such: Wallet sized, glossy photo (preferred, but digital...

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Need some advice. I have a friend you needs a simple yearbook photo for her high school son. Requirments are such:

Wallet sized, glossy photo (preferred, but digital pictures saved as a TIFF
Vertical formatted photo
Traditional headshots preferred, indoor or outdoor. (For greatest photo reproduction quality.)

Any suggestions for the background? Outside/Inside. I don't have a professional backdrop, but planned on getting one anyway.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Well, this is a really broad question, but a short answer would be to be sure you do not have a blown out background, i.e., too bright, and then a subject that ends up being too dark. If you do shoot outside, a bit of fill flash can be helpful to separate him from that background. By fill, i mean a flash EV of -1.5 or so.

You should probably find out what head size they want. I do a bunch of seniors and every school has a photo dimension and head dimension. It it usually measured from the bridge of the nose to chin, or top of head to chin.

There are also clothing requirements and pose requirements. I am sure the boy has these if they do exist, so be sure to shoot for what is acceptable.

Remember - the background is JUST as important as the subject.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Unfortunately, the requirements are as broad as what I listed in the post. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and the lack of detail is driving me crazy. I think my only shot is to find last years yearbook to gauge poses, clothes, subjec area, etc.. Background is important and I am leaning towards buying a traditional one. Bad news is that I just found out what they cost.

flytyer57 Loc: Mountain Home, Arkansas

In the past, I've hung a blanket or sheet from the patio door blinds and used that for a background.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

jaysnave wrote:

Unfortunately, the requirements are as broad as what I listed in the post. I am somewhat of a perfectionist and the lack of detail is driving me crazy. I think my only shot is to find last years yearbook to gauge poses, clothes, subjec area, etc.. Background is important and I am leaning towards buying a traditional one. Bad news is that I just found out what they cost.

Yes - the buggers are expensive. Unless you plan on many uses, the cost could be prohibitive. Here is a suggestion: For just one person and for roughly thighs-up or seated positions, check out Silverlake's Colorsmacks.

http://www.silverlakephoto.com/home.php?cat=329

i have a couple and use them a lot. For full length and groups, you need larger, but this would do for what you need. Only $199. I use "only" as it applies to good backgrounds.

Be carful of the hanging sheet or blanket - it usually looks like a sheet or blanket unless you can get the subject 8 or 10 feet away form it so it becomes an indistinct something.

blueeyes3515 Loc: WV

CaptainC wrote:

quote=jaysnave Unfortunately, the requirements ar... (show quote)

Thank you for this link!! Very nice backdrops.

Susieb721 Loc: Mid Michigan

Consider these https://www.facebook.com/splashofcolorbymoonlight2011

I work for the man and wife who own this business and print these. Very inexpensive, they roll up on cardboard tubes for storage and photograph wonderfully.

This... https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=219271028134108&set=a.184614808266397.45702.147438691984009&type=3&theater is one of our favorite backdrops. Here is one of our photographs http://www.onlinepictureproof.com/moonlight/albums/maternity/204698/browse/69/?w=625&h=525

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

I'll check them out, thanks! There does seem to be a short window of time for me to take this shot. Does anyone have opinions on digital backgrounds? Can they replicated a real backdrop without being an obvious extraction?

Roger Salls Loc: Stratford, CT

Jaysnave,
Checkout the posting about Savage background papers. Just posted some suggestions for muslin backdrops.

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

Savage looks like good quality at a good price. I am heading to Midwest Photo later today. Probably come back with an impulse buy.

Norma Jean Loc: Omro, Wisconsin

I did my first senior shoot last year after a 25 year break (long story) Out doors is so much easier and more interesting. Try to use places or props that have a special meaning to your senior. I have attached a couple of photos from my shoot. I used fill in flash and a large reflector.

jaysnave wrote:

Need some advice. I have a friend you needs a simple yearbook photo for her high school son. Requirments are such:

Wallet sized, glossy photo (preferred, but digital pictures saved as a TIFF
Vertical formatted photo
Traditional headshots preferred, indoor or outdoor. (For greatest photo reproduction quality.)

Any suggestions for the background? Outside/Inside. I don't have a professional backdrop, but planned on getting one anyway.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Really nice. I think the lighting is a bit flat, but overall these are super.
Oh - watch cutting off hands. All or nothing.

JimH Loc: Western South Jersey, USA

jaysnave wrote:

Any suggestions for the background? Outside/Inside. I don't have a professional backdrop, but planned on getting one anyway.

1) Walmart
2) Plain white shower curtain.

Efficiency and practicality at a low, low price. :)

Norma Jean Loc: Omro, Wisconsin

Thanks. I know I have to watch the hands.

CaptainC wrote:

Really nice. I think the lighting is a bit flat, but overall these are super.
Oh - watch cutting off hands. All or nothing.

Mickey88 Loc: Central Florida

although I was admonished yesterday for mentioning ebay, I will do it again today, decent backdrops can be found at very reasonable prices