POST YOUR HEADSHOTS!

There are edge lighty with minimum contribution. There is a background light in this style which is what I do most often. The slight radius of light behind her head I add in post. The key light is a Mola Demi beauty dish. While nearly 7x more expensive then the average beauty dish, it is about 5% better in my opinion. Shot with an $80 beauty dish for years. No one else probably notices but the Mola is better. Ceiling height is my limiting factor.
But there are advantages to skin softening using a beauty dish in a classic fashion, that is on axis. Other advantages as well in my opinion. It defines the jawline. When the jawline is weak it strengthens the jaw line.

Interesting information. Luckily I am an available light photographer and an amateur, so I don't need to worry about most of those things. But I'll try to remember your advice about camera angles - thanks!

Jaw line.

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steveglass wrote in post #19334763
He does look a little stiff. Women are harder to photograph for a variety of reasons. Not the least or which is insecurity. Especially middle aged women. "We" value youth and beauty so much in the US that women get disillusioned so easily. We also eat lousy so unfortunately there's a foundation for people's lack of confidence as 90% of us are overweight. Right now, 10 years into focusing on headshots, it's really about the jawline for me. Added weight obscures the jawline on most people especially older people. So camera height is critical. I think a little shadow under the chin is good so the height of your light is important. So ceiling height can be a limiting factor in what type of lighting you use. But in the end it's really about the subject and what they need.
The bottom line is that a great headshot consists of an unflinching gaze into the camera. If it is warm and approachable it will serve the subject in almost any application.

Yes, the jaw line. I was working on some old photos of my father and can't resist bringing out these two. Thanks again Steve for making me think about it.

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …/i-pRg3DTF-M.jpg&lb=1&s=A

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …/i-6gBMxh4-M.jpg&lb=1&s=A

ImageMaker... wrote in post #19334864
Jaw line.

Gallery photo (hosted):
posted by ImageMaker... originally in forum: People

Nice.

NASS Photo wrote in post #19335203
Nice.

Thanks. Barely any editing. Maybe a couple minutes.

Kayla Claire.

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Archibald wrote in post #19335373
Kayla Claire.

Hosted photo: posted by Archibald in
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forum: People

Beautiful shot! I love her make up!

peteraustralia2021 wrote in post #19335442
Beautiful shot! I love her make up!

Thank you! She did the makeup herself.

Twickenham, London

Reworked this one - again. For me it is infinitely difficult to get the colors and the tones right.

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …SC02423-4-X2.jpg&lb=1&s=A

Love the color grade!

I love it! Love that you lit it short, love the expression, love the desat color grade!

Wow!

Outdoor headshots for lawyers. Another day outside the office.