C&C: Head shot

Critiques, please.

I rather like the overall image, but it seems too tight at the top.

thanks. Her forehead? hair?

Edit - should't comment on images when outside on a laptop.

thanks

Is this just a general test shoot or was there any other objective? Will the subject use the image for anything? Answers to those questions will help those reacting to your image.

It appears that you used a single light with a smallish softbox on camera axis at roughly 45 degrees above the subject. It's evenly lit, well exposed, ambient and flash are blended well, skin tone looks natural, and the overall colors look good. I don't know whether or not you may have used a reflector to relieve some shadows under the chin, but it remains dark--that's merely an observation. The shallower depth of field is a personal preference that I won't comment on other than to recognize that you achieved focus on the eyes. I don't think there's any problem with the highlights in the face. They're not overly blown or distracting and help define her face.

As for PP, the eye whites appear reddish on my monitor, so you might want to desaturate those a bit. There also appears to be a little unevenness in her skin texture particularly around the cheeks and between the eyebrows that I might soften more. You might be able to improve subject background separation by subtly lightening the crown of the hair where it's darkest, but that's at the risk of overdoing it.

As for the pose, it's a little ordinary looking with the subject dead center and softly smiling--not that it's a bad thing. Is this your favorite example from the shoot? Did you try different positioning of the subject and different camera orientations? Other angles might be more flattering for her.

Thanks Matt! General test. Yes, my better shot. Not hired for a headshot. Good call on the lights: YN360 Light wand above, and reflector below, silver of course

I'll desat the red capillaries. Looking back on it, I should have thrown on my 70-200mm 2.8 and stood back at about 135mm. Live and learn.

Need more light from the cheeks down.

Nice image overall. Good DOF.

The light may be a little bit too high, causing shadows from her eye brows.

Easy fix though, leave the light high and add in a reflector from below around chest level.
This will also be flattering to her, softening the lines around her smile. The shadows/lines are emphasized by the light skimming over them and causing shadows on her face, just like side lighting would do in part to the light being as high as it is.

Depending on the modifier feathering down would be my suggestion. SBs and octas with lips really help, umbrellas are not capable in that regard.

I don't care for the central positioning of the subject, nor for the non-uniform background: that dark band on the right is indeed distracting and detracting.