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Hay /p/ i need your help Anonymous
So i just spent all day the other day taking headshots of a friend of mine (headshots being, a photo an actor/actress will give to an agent/casting director) and was wondering how good this one was, in terms of getting him work or whatever

It was taken with a shitty 75-300mm f4 lens and an external 580 ex strobe.

Any advice/suggestions?
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Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 40DCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:09:24 00:01:54Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/4.5Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating125Lens Aperturef/4.6Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length130.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width800Image Height1200RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Honest So You Dont Have To Be !9UISPtwBPo
>headshots being, a photo an actor/actress will give to an agent/casting director

Thanks for explaining that, i don't think anyone would have known what you meant.

I think the shots, ok. nothing more, but if i was a actor, i wouldn't be paying for it.

The lighting has created an ugly ass shadow, yes somtimes one side of the face in light can look good, but you still need a weak fill flash on the other side, or you end up with what youve got there... Look at the shadow from his nose, and the ugly line across his neck...

Also, I dont know if he has a problem with his mouth or not, but it looks fucked up, and if he has got a problem, why did you do nothing to fix it? its the first thing you notice. A show where there is less emphasis on the mouth would improve this problem

Also, have you heard of PP?? fix those fucking spots, and smooth the skin out. And while your there, you could easily fix your lighting fuck ups.
>> Anonymous
The shadow looks like shit.
You should have had a second light at 1/2 power filling in the shadows.

WHY IS PART OF HIS HEAD CROPPED OFF?
His whole head should be in the frame.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Ouch you people are harsh!

Wonderful though you are right... i liked the shot though because i thought the dramatic lighting looked good in it.

The guy did have a bit of a problem with his mouth, but i didnt know how to fix it. I think he just has pursed lips. I said 'relax your mouth a bit' but he said he had an overbite or something and it was just the way it had to be.

Also none of these photos have been edited yet, im still trying to pick out which one would work best.

Thanks for the advice on the weak fill flash/reflector though.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 40DCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:09:24 00:18:09Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/4.5Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating125Lens Aperturef/4.6Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length130.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width800Image Height1200RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
>>261121

underexposed
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)


Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 40DCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:09:24 00:19:59Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/5.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating125Lens Aperturef/5.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length150.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width800Image Height1200RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)


Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS 40DCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsImage-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2008:09:24 00:21:53Exposure Time1/320 secF-Numberf/4.0Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating125Lens Aperturef/4.0Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length80.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width800Image Height1200RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceManualScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
OP here

So basically, what i should make my main priority in a headshot is nice, even lighting? bits under the nose, etc. etc.?
>> Honest So You Dont Have To Be !9UISPtwBPo
>>261132

FUCKING YES!!!

Did you look into this at all before you took these photos??
>> Anonymous
yes of course

i looked at loads of other headshots and noticed that they were all pretty much standard.

with alot of these i tried my best at just achieving natural looking light with just an external strobe and the outdoor natural light...
maybe i should get another strobe and give it another try? would a reflector work?

thanks for the comments
>> Honest So You Dont Have To Be !9UISPtwBPo
>>261173

5 seconds in google could tell you all that info.
>> Anonymous
>>261175

i know but i had to try.

i had very limited equipment (as you can see)
by no means these are professional but they are definately a step forward... my first headshots ever!

ill try again soon, maybe ill post em up here again, see if u can recognise the guy ;)
>> Anonymous
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/04/lighting-101-headshot-in-corner.html

now gtfo