Learning Headshots (Page 2): I think you did very well with the lighting and the focus is excellent. The pose is also done well. I would suggest, like others have, that the camera...

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

kenievans wrote:

I am trying to learn how to shoot headshots. I have set up a small home studio. This is a friend that needed an updated corporate headshot. I used a soft umbrella on the left with a reflector on the right. I had a speedlight on the floor and a softbox at 45 degrees on the left for catch lights. How did I do?

kenievans wrote:

I am trying to learn how to shoot headshots. I have set up a small home studio. This is a friend that needed an updated corporate headshot. I used a soft umbrella on the left with a reflector on the right. I had a speedlight on the floor and a softbox at 45 degrees on the left for catch lights. How did I do?

I think you did very well with the lighting and the focus is excellent. The pose is also done well. I would suggest, like others have, that the camera angle be a bit higher. When I worked for a national school photography and publishing company, they suggested the camera be at or slightly above the subject's eye level. They also placed the lights a little above the subject so light reflection would be minimized (did not always work though).

You are well on your way to getting some excellent portraits. Keep up the good work.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

captivecookie wrote:

I think you did pretty darn well. The subject looks confident and friendly. Her hair stands out well, and even her dark shirt can be seen in the darker areas. Best of all, her glasses are not blocked by reflections, and you can see her eyes clearly.

You may have already done so, but if not, I suggest looking into David Hobby's website strobist.blogspot.com

Thank you. I will look into that website. I am always open to learning.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

PhotogHobbyist wrote:

I think you did very well with the lighting and th... (show quote)

I appreciate it very much. I spend a lot of time trying to learn as much as I can before I try something. I found lots of information on where to place the lights and where to focus but not much on the angle of the camera specific to headshots. Now its just practice practice practice.

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

More of a home portrait (very well done) than a corporate photo. Corporate head shots include shoulders, not fading them into the shadows. Excellent handling of the potential reflection in the glasses. Excellent view of the eyes. Maybe a touch too low a camera angle - but, the eyes are the true and proper focus.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Like Paul said... " Corporate head shots include shoulders, not fading them into the shadows. Excellent handling of the potential reflection in the glasses..." Glass are a total bear to deal with... Keni you handled this with finesse...

As for camera angle? the higher you go the more likely you'll racoon the eyes... Which is why clamshell illumination is highly popular in this scenario... however a cheap 30x40 piece of foamcore just out of frame is an excellent solution...

How to improve? Keni a touch of hair spray on a disposable mascara spoolie can easily groom the brows into perfect place... Please remember Brows frame the eyes... and as we all know, the eyes are typically the most important component in portraiture...

Looking forward to more of your stellar efforts Keni

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Paul Diamond wrote:

More of a home portrait (very well done) than a corporate photo. Corporate head shots include shoulders, not fading them into the shadows. Excellent handling of the potential reflection in the glasses. Excellent view of the eyes. Maybe a touch too low a camera angle - but, the eyes are the true and proper focus.

Thank you Paul. I will work on those issues with the next one.

kenievans Loc: Dallas

Thomas902 wrote:

Like Paul said... " Corporate head shots incl... (show quote)

Thank you Thomas. Great tips. She was holding a large piece of stiff white paper at her waist as a reflector but I didn't see that it did very much. I will try the foamcore next time and use a holder so the subject doesn't have to hold it.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

Thomas902 wrote:

As for camera angle? the higher you go the more likely you'll racoon the eyes...

Camera angle should not make much, if any, difference to shadows around the eyes if the lighting angle isn't changed. If lighting is correct the eyes should have very minimal shadows around them.