Head Shot taken at a conference

This is one of the head shots I took at a conference this last week.This lady has such a great personality and she was so easy to shoot on the fly.
This was shot with a 5D MK II, a 50 mm F1.4 lens, at F4.5, 1/60 ISO 250, bracket with flash. What do you think?

I think the light is still pretty harsh. Flash on the bracket is fine for event work, but when it comes time for the potrait/ headshot work bounce is your friend.

Nice DoF; got all of her face in focus, but blurred the background. Light's a little harsh, and it might have been better if she hadn't been facing directly at the camera; angled slightly, but still looking at you. IMHO.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16602580
... bounce is your friend.

+1

gonzogolf wrote in post #16602580
bounce is your friend.

^+2

Here is another shot taken at the conference, is the lighting better? To me, shooting on the fly like this and getting the lighting close to perfect is difficult.

This one was shot with the 5D MkII at F4.5, 1/60, ISO 400 at 35 mm with a 16-35 L F2.8 and flash on a bracket.

I think they are just why they are... Snapshots of people at an event.. Nothing you would be able to do with a point and shoot...

Sorry if I offend, but you did ask what I thought... I'd personally never use a 50mm for a headshot.. It's just not as flattering as something longer...

I don't know you camera to subject distance were but with a 50mm ,it seems like you were right there in their faces .The pictures were well exposed .I don't like the angle in the first picture for two reasons: one it looks like a drivers licenses photo and second her blond hair seems to blend with the background in tone .This is my personal opinion .The second one is much better but when shooting headshots with a cropped body you have to stay back otherwise it will look like you are squeezing your subject ears .I took the liberty to modify the picture to demonstrate my view .Off course i ton of things can be done in photoshop but here it is just about lens to subject distance . I rather use an 85mm but if distance doesn't allow it a 50mm works great ! Nothing wrong with that .This is a crude touch up to demonstrate the cropping .

Doctorh wrote in post #16608707
Here is another shot taken at the conference, is the lighting better? To me, shooting on the fly like this and getting the lighting close to perfect is difficult.

This one was shot with the 5D MkII at F4.5, 1/60, ISO 400 at 35 mm with a 16-35 L F2.8 and flash on a bracket.

Framing that tightly with a 35mm lens on a full frame body is a sure recipe for an unflattering photo. Perspective distortion is hard on most people, even worse if you are a bit older or not thin as a rail. The lighting is a bit softer, but you have good gear, make it work for you.

Doctorh wrote in post #16608707
Here is another shot taken at the conference, is the lighting better? To me, shooting on the fly like this and getting the lighting close to perfect is difficult.

This one was shot with the 5D MkII at F4.5, 1/60, ISO 400 at 35 mm with a 16-35 L F2.8 and flash on a bracket.

I agree with the other posters, learn to bounce the light and get further away from your subject

Thank you to everyone for the comments-they are appreciated!

The horizon line behind them is quite disturbing. Try not to slap people against the wall, the background becomes very intrusive, even at large apertures.

I agree with the above comments but I'm sure the ladies would enjoy their photos.

The first lady has what appears to be perfect teeth. Was this a dental conference?

I agree that the light is a bit too harsh on picture #1.

These are all on camera flash correct? I really don't consider the lighting "harsh" with these at all. They are well exposed. On camera flash is going to get you an image that is sharp and clear, but 9 times out of 10 there is no mood to it. I'm sorry my friend, but these are a bit bland. Get that flash off camera and watch how much more interesting your portraits become.

Choose a better background. You have a divided background in both photos instead of all solid background that would draw less attention to my viewing the images.