Headshots

blah

Hi guys,
A friend of mine asked me to do headshots for an actor friend of his, he's really just basing the offer on my snazzy looking equipment (400D) but I wouldn't actually have much confidence. Does anyone have any advice or any links/suggestions. I've got a sigma 70-300 which would probably be useful.
Thanks

PopeBuckfastXVI

Hi Blah...

Make sure you're light source is really diffused... if you are just using the on camera flash try putting kitchen roll over it.

If you can use off camera flash to one side, and seat the subject in a corner

see http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/04/lighting-101-headshot-in-corner.html for more info on this technique.

Focus on the eyes, for and acting headshot the subject should be looking straight at the camera.

eas

hey blah

I love the work these guys do, may serve as some inspiration...


http://www.kevinclarkheadshots.com/

Thirdfox

eas wrote: »

hey blah

I love the work these guys do, may serve as some inspiration...


http://www.kevinclarkheadshots.com/

Great examples to be found there - I wasn't that fond of some of the child shots though, everything else looks fantastic.

DotOrg

ask lili, she's at www.misslili.net and does these in dublin all the time, i'm sure she'll share some of her knowledge

RCNPhotos

Also watch out for distortion, shoot it with the lens at around 110mm or so.

eas

Thirdfox wrote: »

Great examples to be found there - I wasn't that fond of some of the child shots though, everything else looks fantastic.

I think it's that they shoot/pose the kids as if they where adults and it throws things a bit. It doesn't help that some of the kids have that crazy child beauty pageant look.

IloveAchill

hi blah,

So funny, I was just going to ask similar question!! My sister is an actor, and she and her friend want updated headshots. I have free access to a studio with to tungsten lamps. In prep I was searching some photo mags, and found info that might be useful. Apparently to position the lamps at 45degrees will give a good natural effect.

Are you shooting in a studio with lighting or using natural light? There are other tips for both, I can dig out for you if you want.

It is exciting isin't it! Hope they go well!

Thirdfox

eas wrote: »

I think it's that they shoot/pose the kids as if they where adults and it throws things a bit. It doesn't help that some of the kids have that crazy child beauty pageant look.

Exactly - doesn't look that natural to me.

Borderfox

That Kevin Clark website has some fantastic shots on it.