First Headshot Attempts

[twistedphrame]

Hey all,


I recently did some head shots for my roommate, it was my first real attempt and I'd like to know what you guys have to say, any sort of tips would be greatly appriciated. All shots were done with a 430Ex flash 1/4 power bounced out of a 45" umbrella slightly off center and just about head height (the shadows were too pronounced otherwise).


All taken with an XTi and 24-70 f2.8L





This is my favorite composition, unfortunately, the focus is too shallow.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.86/20091023_5F00_2404-copy.jpg[/img]


Shutter: 1/125 AV: 2.8 ISO 200 40mm





[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.86/20091023_5F00_2406-copy.jpg[/img]


Shutter: 1/125 Av: 3.5 iso:200 24mm


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.86/20091023_5F00_2437-copy.jpg[/img]


Shutter: 1/125 AV 3.5 iso 200 34mm


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.86/20091023_5F00_2438-copy.jpg[/img]


Shutter 1/125 AV: 3.5 ISO 200 34mm


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.23.86/20091023_5F00_2445-copy.jpg[/img]


Shutter: 1/125 Av: 3.5 iso:200 28mm





~Jordan

[mattsartin]

its scary how much he looks like my cousin... aside form that being weird, nice work!

[twistedphrame]

does he live in jersey? haha

[Chuck Lee]

All taken with an XTi and 24-70 f2.8L

When posting the EXIF, it's also nice to know the focal length.


I like the look and feel but I'm having a hard time on two fronts.


The fabric (couch or chair) and the backdrop edge on the right. I don't think head shots contain these extra items.


Otherwise, it's a very laid back cool one light setup.

[twistedphrame]

Forgot about the focal lengths, added them to the original post.





The edge on the right was an accident actually I didn't realize it was inframe. normally there isn't extra as you but it for head shots but he wanted some texture in the background so there would be something other than white, if it wasn't super windy we would have used a side of the house. His old head shots were a pure white background, I think he decided it was a bit too sterile.

[Chuck Lee]

Another thing I noticed is how clear his glasses are. That's most of the time really good but somewhat unsettling as well. A poster board held close in scene can create a large soft specular that very slightly frosts glasses. It is a cool technique and can give those lenses a little body. Otherwise, he might as well be wearing frames with no lenses. That's what it looks like.

[Keith B]

Another thing I noticed is how clear his glasses are. That's most of the time really good but somewhat unsettling as well. A poster board held close in scene can create a large soft specular that very slightly frosts glasses. It is a cool technique and can give those lenses a little body. Otherwise, he might as well be wearing frames with no lenses. That's what it looks like.

I noticed the same thing. I am going to say the glasses have no lenses, there is perspective skewing you usually get either. Some of those shots should have reflections in them if they actually had glass in them.

[twistedphrame]

The lenses were out, we found that the lenses actually distorted the edges of his face the way they were curving light so we took them out.

[Keith B]

The lenses were out, we found that the lenses actually distorted the edges of his face the way they were curving light so we took them out.

Yup. I did this pop in and get out shoot with low ceilings. Getting the light up high and tilt it down is usually a good way to avoid the direct reflections.


This is just to show the distortion. I have a version somewhere that has the reflections taken out and whitened teeth.


[img]/cfs-file.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.UserFiles/00.00.00.25.81/_5F00_MG_5F00_3291sm.jpg[/img]

[elmo_2006]

...my fav. is the last image...very cool!