I am just getting into Head Shots: This is my first venture in just Head Shots. I took this image of my wife, and post processed it using PaintShop 8X, Portrait Pro 15, and Smart Photo...

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

This is my first venture in just Head Shots. I took this image of my wife, and post processed it using PaintShop 8X, Portrait Pro 15, and Smart Photo Editor. I am currently trying to work on jaw lines and eyes. After I finished this I noticed the back of the chair upon which she was sitting. Bummer. I now use a stool with no back. I am interested in any feedback that can help me improve.

Thanks for looking.

David Phares
Chandler, AZ

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

Well first of all, you wife is quite beautiful.

On my screen I can barely see the difference between her jaw and neck.

How did you light this?

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

DavidPhares wrote:

This is my first venture in just Head Shots. I took this image of my wife, and post processed it using PaintShop 8X, Portrait Pro 15, and Smart Photo Editor. I am currently trying to work on jaw lines and eyes. After I finished this I noticed the back of the chair upon which she was sitting. Bummer. I now use a stool with no back. I am interested in any feedback that can help me improve.

Thanks for looking.

David Phares
Chandler, AZ

Pretty lady. Would like to see the top of her head.

Picdude Loc: Ohio

David, she almost seems over exposed in this shot. It does appear that you set the focus point to be her eyes (good job on that), but the over-all image is missing depth d/t to lack of any shadow lines. Like HL said - hard to separate her jaw from her neck.

It may also be that you have your brightness turned down so low on your screen that an image that looks properly exposed after post processing on YOUR screen looks overexposed when looked at by others.

George Kravis

Having done a lot of portraiture I can make a few recommendations. First your camera angle is a bit high, affecting the nose to cheek ratio; should be at about shoulder height. Then besides a bit over exposure, which takes away from some important features plus personality. Also there is no contrast between one side of the face and the other, which for women a 2:1 ratio between key and fill is considered a good start. Just a few ideas to improve on an already attractive subject.

rrayrob Loc: Las Vegas, NV

If I can add to what GK just posted. When shooting someone who is fair skinned, light colored hair and light or white clothing, generally if there is contrast between the subject and the background it makes for a better photo. I would have used a gray and black background. Unless, your concept is "model" dressed in white against a white background - those are harder to shoot and lighting properly is the keep. Next time try not to get the what I assume is the black back of the chair in photo or show more of it. What's shown is distracting and draws ones eye away from the image. Overall, a good first start and we all have to start somewhere. The more you shoot the better you get.

George Kravis

Hey, rrayrob, you make a valid point about background. It's most important that it be a darker and neutral shade than the subject, and that also goes for the subject's clothes. One more point, and that is the eyes, the prominence of which is overshadowed by the facial overexposure. Yeah, as we've all found out, instruction is important but nothing beats practice and experimentation, the range and variation of subjects being unlimited.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

David, this is a very lovely high key image. It's quite flattering as it accents her eyes and lovely smile. My only question would be the use of landscape format. This places quite a bit of non-subject related space to the left of the image.
--Bob

DavidPhares wrote:

This is my first venture in just Head Shots. I took this image of my wife, and post processed it using PaintShop 8X, Portrait Pro 15, and Smart Photo Editor. I am currently trying to work on jaw lines and eyes. After I finished this I noticed the back of the chair upon which she was sitting. Bummer. I now use a stool with no back. I am interested in any feedback that can help me improve.

Thanks for looking.

David Phares
Chandler, AZ

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Nice shot of your very pretty wife, David, but I'd like to see the top of her head and a darker background to make her stand out.

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

Thanks for all your comments. Like I stated when I posted, I am just starting out. I have trying to use ideas from Peter Hurley's book: Head Shots. Cropping the top of the head and shooting landscape are two of his major features. The head shots he shows in the book are really outstanding. I did wash out the face a little too much in the post work. I'll keep working.

David

jaysnave Loc: Central Ohio

DavidPhares wrote:

Thanks for all your comments. Like I stated when I posted, I am just starting out. I have trying to use ideas from Peter Hurley's book: Head Shots. Cropping the top of the head and shooting landscape are two of his major features. The head shots he shows in the book are really outstanding. I did wash out the face a little too much in the post work. I'll keep working.

David

Hi David,

Yes, the Peter Hurley style is catching on and is just a composition preference. My advise for post processing would be to not try and do too much with so many software options. Check your histogram and get the exposure correct then make adjustments one at a time. There are some slight dark lines on your wife's forehead which I suspect happens when one filter is applied on top of another. Be careful with Portrait Pro. With some of the strongest presets it can turn your subject into a manikin like look with one click. Bring your sliders down to zero and slowly bring them back up to get the effect you are looking for. Nice pic of your wife overall. She reminds me of a young Reba