Help me by critiquing these “actors headshots” *UPDATED*

[neil_r]

I took these “headshots” of my son who is doing a post grad course in acting. He needs these pictures for his entry in The Spotlight. The rules relating to these pictures are quite strict, Black & White, head only, no props, semi mat paper and 8 x 10.

He only needs one and we have enough time to get them done professionally if one of these is not up to it.

I asked for advice in “Talk about photography” forum and did some research on the web. Apparently the key thing about “Headshots” is that they should look like the individual and not be “staged production numbers”

Please check out the gallery and give me as much help as possible at :-

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

A sneak preview :-

http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/photo/large/_N6H0410.jpg

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

http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/photo/large/_N6H0449.jpg

Cheers

N

[CyberDyneSystems]

These are excellent!

The second and third ones hit the mark.. mainly the first one is suffering from an odd background... otherwise there all great!

You may also want to get different "moods".

Most actors will have the "serious" shot.. but will also have a smiling "I'm funny and can be in your comedy" shot as well... it's good to have a few to choose from for different auditions.

A moddy shot for the "Pinter" production.. and a big smile for the "krameresque" roles... 8)

In all three I feel like the top cut is just slightly too close.. were even losing a hair or two! :) I'm talking fractions of an inch here.. but it may help.

I'd like to see a few where your subject is not leaning into the shot so much... though it works,.. it was odd to see three in a row like that.

Fantastic job Neil!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Oops... just looked at the gallery...


The first shot is near perfect out of the ten in the gallery. Love it. This is exactly the "look" that casting is asking for.

For that more relaxed shot.. I do like the second to last in the gallery..

...but the nitpick is .. the shirt! It really wrecks an otherwise perfect headshot.

Gotta stick with the black T :lol:

[sGu]

The ones in black are better than the ones in white shirts, last few you can see shadows on his face; very first shot is excellent IF there is less hair to block his eyes.

Nice job, Neil!

btw, he looks like Paul Bettany to me ... has anyone ever mentioned that to him/you?

[neil_r]

CDS, sGu

Thanks for the feedback, I have taken it on board and taken some more pictures 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 thanks

N

[neil_r]

btw, he looks like Paul Bettany to me ... has anyone ever mentioned that to him/you?

I had not noticed but apparently his girlfriend has pointed it out to him, We just put it down to wishful thinking on her part.

Not such a good day for the reds, but it could have been worse :)

N

[Silvatooth]

n6h0507 is my favorite

[jgbeam]

Bloo Dog - Quite an informative first post! Keep'em coming. I've been asked to do some child headshots for a stage mom to send to agents in NYC. I've been doing them for actors in a community theatre but don't feel experienced enough to put the career of the next child star at risk :lol: .

Any tips for kids photos?

Thanks, Jim

BTW, Neil R. - Great shots, IMO. I'd be proud of those shots.

[OviV]

I like this one.

http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/photo/small/_N6H0441.jpg

I think that if he is wearing a dark shirt you should have a light background otherwise it looks like his head is just floating. I'm no expert though, this is simply what I like.


Ovi

[sGu]

btw, he looks like Paul Bettany to me ... has anyone ever mentioned that to him/you?

I had not noticed but apparently his girlfriend has pointed it out to him, We just put it down to wishful thinking on her part.

Not such a good day for the reds, but it could have been worse :)

N

Nah, not at all, but since university started again, I tend not to think about it until weekends.

And Bloo Dog's expertice is something you can't ignore, where have been all those time, Bloo Dog?

and welcome to the forum :D

[chris.bailey]

One thing I did notice is that the catchlights in the eyes are -

a) a bit small, the eyes are an important feature and catchlights help bring them to attention.

b) on some pics the catchlights are in different places on each eye, are they painted in? Either way to my mind it is a bit un-nerving if they are dead centre, off centre and above tends to be most natural.

[DigitDan]

These are a few examples of my first crack at talent headshots. Had no idea what I was doing.

http://www.pbase.com/azphotoguy/image/34402249/medium.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/azphotoguy/image/34402250/medium.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/azphotoguy/image/34402251/medium.jpg
http://www.pbase.com/azphotoguy/image/34402252/medium.jpg

These shots were taken with a Canon 10D and a Canon 28-135mm IS F3.8

Its great to see a discusion about this topic here.

Dan in Phoenix

[DigitDan]

Bloo Dog,

Thanks so much for your comments.

For lighting, I used 2 1000 watt soft box continous lights. I was disappointed with some of the shots as I "burned" cheeks. I have since purchased a hairlight and am pleased with the effect.

Thanks again for the help.

Dan in Phoenix

[neil_r]

All you guys, particularly Bloo Dog, thanks for the feedback and the great advice. We have come down to 3 that may do and Oliver is taking 8x10s for his principal to see. If he thinks they are ok I will post them, If not I will hide my head in shame :oops: and pay out for a professional set (what are you doing a week next Tuesday Bloo Dog :) )


many many thanks

N

[DigitDan]

Bloo,

The softboxes are 24". I placed one about 3' from the subject and 2' to the right. The second one was about 2 feet to the left of the subject and maybe 6' from the subject.

I was pleased with the first one.....the last was taken a different day and I think I just got the key light too close.

thanks for the kind words....

dan in phoenix

[mdude85]

I'd choose this one:

http://www.neil-rice.com/gallery/photo.php?photo=470&exhibition=29&u=977|9|...

[stockriderman]

This thread is sooo informative! My sister wants to be an actress.She already spent more than $1000 for pictures to start her portfolio. Now,I am planning to cut the costs big. I think I'll be getting a Digital Rebel(with standard lens) sometime next week and I'll start practicing.
Is there a magazine or a book that has similart info?

[Aylwin]

All very nice shots but I like the last 3 best: 17-19. I can't really decide which one in particular though... maybe 18? :roll:

Anyway, I like the black shirt because it throws more focus to the face/head. But I don't like a totally black background because I don't like the idea of a floating head. Well, what do I know? :roll:

I agree though that this is a great thread. Some very useful things to keep in mind.

[karusel]

Bloo dog, you've just become my favourite poster! Thank you, kind sir. 8)

I'm about to buy two Alien bees B800 strobes, but still I have not much of an idea of what to get along with them, a softbox, rectangular or octobox? Umbrella? Shoot thru or bounce? Then there's the cluelessness about hairlight and backgroundlights, can a hairlight what angle should it be put at... gah... I've been looking all over the net for information on this, but I just found crumbs and fragments, some descriptive, but not precise and therefore not helpful... If you wish to enlighten (:D) me and quite surely many others, perhaps it would be best to create a new topic about lighing.

[BrandonSi]

btw, he looks like Paul Bettany to me ... has anyone ever mentioned that to him/you?

I thought the exact same thing when I saw that 3rd shot. :shock:

[karusel]

I just found a few pages (http://www.ephotozine.com/equipment/buyersguide/fullbuyersguide.cfm?buyersguideid=26) explaining the lighting basics in a very comprehensible manner. Thought I might share this...