Does this look like a pro Headshot?

[serissolutions]

If not, then why?

http://www.serissolutions.com/photos/images/Portraits/Headshot.jpg

[KevC]

Was there much post processing? It seems like the OOF regions are too distracting. Otherwise I like the shot.

[serissolutions]

There was some on her skin. The dof was done in PS.

[mbze430]

put yourself in the chair of a casting director and look at the print. If you were to cast a movie or something, does the picture give enough details for you to call her in for a casting call? If you feel that the picture brings enough information about this person, than you have done your job.

[Citizensmith]

Its good work. Nice balance and lighting. It also has a sense of emotion, maybe of anticipation, to it that works well. My only complaint is it is maybe cropped a little too tight.

[Meghan]

The only thing that i dont like it the blurry part in the top left corner of her head where it's white. it distracts me. other then that its a great picture lots of emotion and she looks beautiful! great job!

Meghan :D

[exposingmyself]

i think it most definetly has the attributes of a very nice pro head shot.

the only problem i have by looking at it is that i'm distracted by the background-one side white and other side gray. i think it would work better if both sides were the same.

everything on her: pose, simple makeup, no jewelry is perfect for this type of picture.

[serissolutions]

No jewelry? Is this important in a headshot?

[Dante King]

how about adding a hair light, think that would warm up the shot a bit more. I like this capture. Some of your best work to date!

[berto]

i see blotches on her face. i don't know if those are really there or just bad post processing technique.
her left and right upper cheek and forehead.

[mbze430]

jewelry usually comes out a bright dot in a black and white. It will be a distraction from the subject.

[serissolutions]

how about adding a hair light, think that would warm up the shot a bit more. I like this capture. Some of your best work to date!

Good point. I will add that in my next try.

[serissolutions]

i see blotches on her face. i don't know if those are really there or just bad post processing technique.
her left and right upper cheek and forehead.

Yes you are right. Since this is just a test I didnt put much time into PS.

[Michaelmjc]

Nice shot, I would fix the blotches on her face though. shes pretty.

[neil_r]

The key purpose of a "head shot" is to allow the casting director (or whoever) to really see who they are casting. Any PS to remove blemeshes is frowned upon and it is better to be sharp throughout the pic. This tight crop will not let then see the shape of the head. Get hold of a publication called "The Spotlight" It contains all UK actors (Equity members) headshots.

http://www.spotlightcd.com/

N

[jO3]

No jewelry? Is this important in a headshot?

Absolutely... I work with a lot of actresses and models who are always getting headshots for casting agencies and modeling agencies, and many of them have permanent jewelry (very common in Asian cultures). Other than that, jewelry and anything else that would prove distracting to the viewer's eyes is a negative when you're looking to shoot headshots...

Simple is better, and the only post processing done to headshots that I personally do are converting to B&W, cloning out temporary skin blemishes (pimples, rashes, cold sores, etc.), sharpening eyes, and whitening teeth. Like someone mentioned, if both sides of the subjects' background is not equal in color or contrast, I like to post process them so they match a bit more.

Just my $0.02.

Oh, and this is a great headshot picture, and would be a bit better, IMO, if you left the DOF as shot.

[MAD DOG]

I like it, but the eyes are very sharp when compared to the rest of the immage, and I think it makes it look less natural.

Or is that just me?.... Could be.

[hollow]

You've blured too much of her hair in the left side of the picture. It seems un-natural. That front-up region of the hair supposed to be in the DOF but is blured.
I hope I've understood what I've tried to say.

Best regards

[serissolutions]

better?

http://www.serissolutions.com/photos/images/Portraits/Headshot2.jpg

[sixshot]

Reading down the post I was going to say the white in the top left corner was distracting, on the newer one I feel even though it is more balanced, although I would prefer it to be grey. The blotches have gone and it is better now. Great work.

[mbze430]

Here is something I did recently with an Indy/SAG actress.

for those that are calibrated, it should look good. For the most part it might be a little dark or brighter. But I made sure it's within range of +/- .5 Gamma

I will let it sit, and will explain something about black & whites.

BTW, I am not trying to still your thread. But I want to give you an example, have you study it. Than we can discuss it.

[jO3]

hey seris, how about posting the original, so we have something to contrast and compare to?

[serissolutions]

Here is something I did recently with an Indy/SAG actress.

for those that are calibrated, it should look good. For the most part it might be a little dark or brighter. But I made sure it's within range of +/- .5 Gamma

I will let it sit, and will explain something about black & whites.

BTW, I am not trying to still your thread. But I want to give you an example, have you study it. Than we can discuss it.

Could you please reduce the size so I can view it without having to scroll up/down side/side?

Yes I would love to talk about some of your points. This headshot looks great.

[serissolutions]

hey seris, how about posting the original, so we have something to contrast and compare to?

OK will do. I am at work so I will post later tonight

[SurfKahakai]

My personal opinion: The first looks better than the second. The second one looks like too much post processing has been done while the first one still gives me the feeling that she is a real person.

[cargo123]

The photography is great, but I don't see a personality. It feel dark. Maybe a smile could brighten it up. Here is a website of found to a pro doing headshot. I was looking for what sells.
http://www.studiomark.com/headshots.html

[hollow]

seriossolutions

second one is better IMO. like somebody said is more balanced.

[BlueTit]

Yes, good work, I would be happy if I took that.

[exposingmyself]

mbze: that is a WONDERFUL head shot and a BEAUTIFUL face. she will have no problem getting work.

I will let it sit, and will explain something about black & whites.

would love to hear the "explanation"

[redbutt]

Honestly, for me, it's an o.k. shot, but not a pro shot. I've been doing headshots for about 5 years now, and my wife is a director (toured with the 1st National Tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). I used her as a great source of knowledge for what makes a good headshot, since she looks at them everyday to cast shows.

That web site that was posted in here a few posts back, has some great samples for you to check out. There is a huge trend now, not only to use color images for headshots, but to break out of the 'mug shot' mold and start showing actors, acting, for lack of a better term, in the image. Also, locations are not bound to the studio. Some of the best shots I've seen recently are taken in places like alleys with cool wall textures and all natural lighting.

The most important thing, is that the headshot MUST show the actors personality. The director needs to be able to look at it, and in a very short time, determine if the face staring back at them is "speaking" to them. It's a very hard to get that shot, and that's why actors keep getting headshots re-done...looking for that perfect one OR to get shots that capture very different looks for different roles. Your shot seems kinda dull to me.

On a personal note...you should not be relying of photoshop to get DOF into the image. You will have a much better and more pro look if you get the DOF with your lens. Photoshop should only be used to touch up...remove blemishes, hair flyaways, etc.

As someone else said...that's my $0.02.

[exposingmyself]

redbutt: that's very informative! i hope they're listening to you. i sure am.


i love portraits esp w/nat. light.

[InTheDark]

cloning out temporary skin blemishes (pimples, rashes, cold sores, etc.)

I think this is the only changes anyone should make in photoshop if they want to be a photographer and not a graphic artist! Although I broke this rule most recently when needing a color background but only having a white wall of a business to use, so I resorted to using replace color in photoshop to get the look I wanted.