Need help with a headshot shoot.

[luno]

(I'll assume this is in the right place)
So, a little background is in order.
My realm of photography does not really extend much further than my friends (or, art for the sake of me (http://lunothehellion.deviantart.com/)), and I do not intend to make a business out of it for myself.

But I was recently propositioned by a friend-of-a-friend to do a few headshots for him; for a theater audition, of sorts.

Important things to note: He really doesn't have any headshots available to him, and he will need it by Saturday (I'm cool with the timeframe).
I do not really have access to any studio, or professional quality lighting. I'm just working with my XTi, a laid back model (hoepfully), and all the photoshopping i can muster.

So I guess any basic tips for headshots, pointers, things not to do, things to make sure I have done to muster a reasonably decent amateur headshot would really be appreciated. Since I found out I am doing this I have looked up a few pointers here and there to keep in mind.

(Indoors or not i'm not sure, background won't be terribly important to me, as i guess that is the point of a headshot.)


Thanks for the help, I hope it goes well and I also hope to post up the results.

[tim]

I recently did some head shots for a friends business. I sat each person in front of a white door (my office door), the main light was a large window to camera right, I use a reflector camera left to add a bit of light to that side of their face. They look like studio portraits. I shot ISO800 because it's winter, but my use (web only right now, maybe very small prints later) they're great, and really easy. If you don't have a reflector use something white and large enough to reflect some light - mirrors don't work, a sheet of white cardboard would.

Easy huh? :)

[PhotosGuy]

Here's an excellent example of what you can do with a cam, lens, & the right natural light with manual exposure. Notice the detail in the black coat & white boa.
Angeline outdoors (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=483975)

VERY simple "outdoor studio" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122297)
There's a step-by-step WB & exposure workflow in post #15.

[luno]

Thanks for the help, guys. (:

[bwolford]

Here's an excellent example of what you can do with a cam, lens, & the right natural light with manual exposure. Notice the detail in the black coat & white boa.
Angeline outdoors (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=483975)

VERY simple "outdoor studio" (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=122297)
There's a step-by-step WB & exposure workflow in post #15.

The photo of the lad is overexposed, IMHO.

[Ty G]

If it is for a theater audition, I would show up with images like would be on a models "comp card" Take various images of him looking younger than he is and looking older than he is, etc. The concept is to make "agency" or theater see that they can make this guy's appearance change to meet their needs.