Help with Actors Head Shots. ** UPDATED AGAIN **

[neil_r]

My eldest son finished his Law Degree last year and has just started a Drama and Dance course. He has to register with the actors union EQUITY and submit his CV and headshots to The Spotlight.

He has until November to do this, however it seems that the standard cost for a session with a “headshot photographer” is around £250.

He is home this weekend so we are going to have a try at producing some headshots ourselves.

They must be 8x10, B&W, no border, semi matt prints. It will be a no risk exercise as if they are a disaster we still have time to get them done professionally.

Conscious of the debate about professional photographers having there livelihood taken away I am a little wary about seeking advice, but that is what I am doing.

I have been taking photographs seriously for over 20 years but the one area I have not ventured into is portrait. Apparently headshots can be taken in a studio or outside and I think I will try both, I have a Speedlight 550 and a couple of Metz flashes for the indoor shots and hopefully the weather will be kind for the outdoor ones.

Kit list is in the sig. Any help or advice will be gratefully accepted.

Many thanks

N

[CyberDyneSystems]

99% of the headshots I have seen are not only black and white.. but the backdrop is pure black and usually the actor wears a black crew neck t-shirt.

This seems to be the industry standard.

I'd look towards indoor studio.

[DeeplyDigital]

Go for it!
Here in Ireland actor's headshots seem to be boring affairs.
They are supposed to be rather plain and straightforward.

If you aren't used to portraits you could have a test run with
your son and then decide what you both should do differently.

I would use natural light, a dark background, maybe a wall - as
you wouldn't see much of it anyway.

If your son has very dark hair maybe try outside with bushes
in the background to give a nice bokeh in b&w.

I've done headshots for a friend and it always is just fun galore.
YOU know what your son really looks like, not every photographer
would.

J.
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[sGu]

Neil, be careful with lighting, there shouldn't be any shadows on the face, try use a reflector to bounce the light, so it lits evenly on his face without causing any unwanted shadows.

[neil_r]

Well I have had a bash at it and posted in “Critique Corner” asking for help. Please have a look and give me both barrels at :-

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=311004#311004

Here is a preview

http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/photo/large/_N6H0421.jpg

[DeeplyDigital]

Wow! Brilliant pictures!
These are all great, you could use any of them for your purpose.
A very good looking subject.

I regularly do headshots for a frustratingly finicky friend and will take a leaf out of her book...
Please don't take offense, I am no David Bailey.

n6h0449 - really like this one, it looks very natural and unprocessed
I like the un-ironed shirt as this is an actor's audition photo and not
a job application.

n6h0405 - eyes different size
n6h0410 - too cute for a headshot
n6h0423 - tried too hard, angle too steep, too dark
n6h0421 - not enough definition between bg and jumper
n6h0418 - hair too carefully tousled, too much shadow on one eye
n6h0431 - hmm, nah, cute though...
n6h0449 - I don't know him, but this might be him, got to love this guy
n6h0443 - too serious and intense
n6h0433 - too friendly
n6h0441 - my 2nd favourite, but only if cropped it closer

Well done,

J.
-

[neil_r]

Thanks for the feedback, I have taken it on board and taken some more and added them to the gallery. I would appreciate it if you could take another look.

http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/list.php?exhibition=29

Many thanls

N

[DeeplyDigital]

They are all so good - it's a tough one having to choose, isn't it?
Best to let them rest for a couple of days or even a week, then
have another look.

507 is nice, but the wind got his right eye...

You have a whole month...

Cool pics.