Flattering Portrait Headshots - How to take them
May 29, 2012 17:16:49 #
Greetings Hogs,
I just watched this video done by Peter Hurley. He deftly explains a pro's simple trick to get a flattering portrait. The jawline is the key, and it's all about the forehead lean. Shebang! There it is!
I learned something, and maybe you will too. Regards.
http://www.wimp.com/flatteringportrait/
I just watched this video done by Peter Hurley. He deftly explains a pro's simple trick to get a flattering portrait. The jawline is the key, and it's all about the forehead lean. Shebang! There it is!
I learned something, and maybe you will too. Regards.
http://www.wimp.com/flatteringportrait/
May 30, 2012 09:01:44 #
danielle_andrassy
Loc: Ontario, Canada
Very informative. I will use that technique from now on. I need tricks like that for portrait. Portrait is not my forte and need to practice to improve.
May 30, 2012 11:42:10 #
May 30, 2012 12:00:01 #
One of the issues with this technique is, depending on the angle of your shot, you can remove the person's neck. Suddenly you have a caricature of a neckless person. Head sitting squarely on the shoulders.
Now, you can get away with this neckless thing IF you use a fast lens, wide open, to blur all that which lies behind the plane of the face. This is the realm of the 50mm f/1.2 and 1.4, 85mm f/1.4, or defocus control lenses like the Nikkor 105 and 135 defocus control lenses. For me, I would stick to the shorter focal lengths.
Another technique to remove the multi chin effect is to use a higher camera position, and have the person look UP to the camera. This does not have to be extreme, and works better with a short telephoto distance.
Another way to do it is to have the subject sit at a table, and lean onto the table looking slightly UP to the camera.
Essentially, you want to find poses, for older people, which stretch out the neckline. For younger people with NO double chin, this is less of an issue.
That said, when shooting OLDER people, your keylight DROPS, as in, is set lower, to fill in and flatten the lines and under eye bags. Young, perfect people to fine with high key lights and creative lighting.
Now, you can get away with this neckless thing IF you use a fast lens, wide open, to blur all that which lies behind the plane of the face. This is the realm of the 50mm f/1.2 and 1.4, 85mm f/1.4, or defocus control lenses like the Nikkor 105 and 135 defocus control lenses. For me, I would stick to the shorter focal lengths.
Another technique to remove the multi chin effect is to use a higher camera position, and have the person look UP to the camera. This does not have to be extreme, and works better with a short telephoto distance.
Another way to do it is to have the subject sit at a table, and lean onto the table looking slightly UP to the camera.
Essentially, you want to find poses, for older people, which stretch out the neckline. For younger people with NO double chin, this is less of an issue.
That said, when shooting OLDER people, your keylight DROPS, as in, is set lower, to fill in and flatten the lines and under eye bags. Young, perfect people to fine with high key lights and creative lighting.
May 30, 2012 12:14:08 #
May 30, 2012 13:14:32 #
Timarron wrote:
PhotoArtsLA - I am taking notes! Great points. Thanks.
Same here. PhotoArtsLA has helped me before with my Epson Pro 3880 printer. Great to have him around. Very friendly, nice, knowledgeable pro photographer. :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
May 30, 2012 14:47:06 #
myts10
Loc: SE Ohio
I have watched several of the Peter Hurley videos and learned from each one. He must know what he is talking about because he gets $2,000 from each sitting. Does no PP or printing.
Anyway the forehead lean technique does work, for most people. Had a hard time with those who were heavy set. So a lean forward and stick the forehead out seemed to help a lot. Remember what ever is closest to the lens will look bigger thous what is further from the lens will look smaller. Not much but it will make a difference.
A few weeks ago I did 12 portraits of elderly people, the oldest was 97. It can be difficulty to give instructions to a person who is hard of hearing, heavy set, and/or living with limited mobility. So the
first thing I do is have them take a deep breath, this improves their posture, weather sitting or standing.
PhotoartistLA, I'm gong to try the table the next shoot I do. Going to pay attention to the looking up technique also. Instead of dropping the keylight I used a reflector or an adjustable LED light to fill that area.
BTW all I use is a P&S, Portrait mode, Manual WB. I have no other manual controls on the camera. So, for everyone like me, who does not have interchangeable lenses or manual controls, LEARN the techniques. Some day I hope to get a DSLR, but until then I will get the best results from what I have.
Anyway the forehead lean technique does work, for most people. Had a hard time with those who were heavy set. So a lean forward and stick the forehead out seemed to help a lot. Remember what ever is closest to the lens will look bigger thous what is further from the lens will look smaller. Not much but it will make a difference.
A few weeks ago I did 12 portraits of elderly people, the oldest was 97. It can be difficulty to give instructions to a person who is hard of hearing, heavy set, and/or living with limited mobility. So the
first thing I do is have them take a deep breath, this improves their posture, weather sitting or standing.
PhotoartistLA, I'm gong to try the table the next shoot I do. Going to pay attention to the looking up technique also. Instead of dropping the keylight I used a reflector or an adjustable LED light to fill that area.
BTW all I use is a P&S, Portrait mode, Manual WB. I have no other manual controls on the camera. So, for everyone like me, who does not have interchangeable lenses or manual controls, LEARN the techniques. Some day I hope to get a DSLR, but until then I will get the best results from what I have.
May 30, 2012 19:33:47 #
johnbee418
Loc: Manchester Conn.
This is what this blog should be all about. These tips, these responses are what many of us attend this blog for. NOT the mindless drivel that comes from jerks with an agenda, such as what we're subjected to about who to vote for, eg. The Admin surely must be embarrassed by the inaneties published in this forum every day, when the blog was created to further the photographic art.
May 30, 2012 20:03:28 #
Wow! That was amazing the difference. Thanks for that!
Cheers.
Cheers.
May 30, 2012 20:28:39 #
Timarron wrote:
Greetings Hogs,
I just watched this video done by Peter Hurley. He deftly explains a pro's simple trick to get a flattering portrait. The jawline is the key, and it's all about the forehead lean. Shebang! There it is!
I learned something, and maybe you will too. Regards.
http://www.wimp.com/flatteringportrait/
I just watched this video done by Peter Hurley. He deftly explains a pro's simple trick to get a flattering portrait. The jawline is the key, and it's all about the forehead lean. Shebang! There it is!
I learned something, and maybe you will too. Regards.
http://www.wimp.com/flatteringportrait/
Thanks much! Very informative and helpful.
Elliott
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