Does This Look Too "Old School"?

Bryce Wilson

I have been looking at a lot of head shot styles and technique lately. I'm not sure that many of the new/hot styles translate well to business/professional head portraiture. On the other hand, I can't help but feel some of what I do looks dated by comparison.

This is a simple two light set up. Main light softbox, Hairlight softbox and a reflector.

What do you think? Does this look dated or too old fashioned?

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/60399337@N06/6208188346/&quot; title="Executive Portriat by Bryce Wilson, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/6208188346_19489e66e4_o.jpg&quot; width="640" height="800" alt="Executive Portriat"></a>

PhilD41

I am not a professional (photographer) so I don't know that I am in a position to answer. I will anyway though. For me, I believe this looks very professional. The lighting looks great and is very flattering to the subject. The one area that I feel could improve the images is the background. As it is, it has all the same colors and tones as his face and hair. It helps make his body stand out in the image, but not him. I would be tempted to pick something to complement his tie and see if that helps take the "old school" edge off the photo.

Anyway... with all that said, I truly believe that any doctor, lawyer, or professor would be quite pleased with this hanging in the hallway.

divamum

Bryce -

It's a nice shot, and definitely meets expections for a corporate headshot, IMO - definitely a different and more "conservative" style than you'd expect for artists/performing artists etc! But that's ok - it's doing a different job than a performer's headshot.

My main nit in this shot is that his glasses cut across his eyes, particularly on camera left. That said, I also agree with Philip that his sandy hair melts into the golden background - I might have gone with a different colour scheme for him (possibly even just by adding a gelled bg light to cool it slightly, or maybe even just by pulling him forward so less light fell on the bg, thus maknig it darker, and him stand out more against it).

It's certainly not a shot to complain about, and I suspect your subject is more than happy!

Hackbone

Bryce,

Not a bad shot at all. I can either take or leave the bkg. In one way the face is the outstanding color and stands out but a grey or darker bkg would have done that more. Ditto on the glasses. On the pose it is great for a guy. You also lighted the person into his chest which is proper for a guy. I would keep the pose exactly as you've done but put a small stool under his right foot and have him lean his elbow on the knee. This broadens the base of the photo more to support the head in a triangle composition. I would always recommend the subject to wear a more pastel shirt rather that white as it competes with the face. Pinks, light greens, creams etc.

Yaflyyadie

If I were to look for issues I will say the eye glasses are not helping.
Said that, If I were the subject, will write your check and take my picture to the frame store.
My way of saying I like it.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Y

jpc

Very well-lit, Bryce. I agree with the glasses issue.

Bryce Wilson

Point heard loud and clear on the glasses. They were indeed a challenge. As he normally wears them they cut directly across his iris. I think he uses them more as reading glasses than regular glasses. Even so, I could have corrected them a bit better.

Thanks for the kind comments on the lighting. And I'm glad that for a business portrait no one thinks it looks to dated.

I also see what you mean about the background color. This is one I took last night and is meant to replicate a senior yearbook portrait. I turned all ambient light off in the room and I do indeed think it makes the subject pop more.

Also, I played with the position of the reflector a bit to try and get what I call the "Hackbone Swoosh" in the iris without having to do it in post. I kind of like it.

Thanks again for all your input everyone!

jpc

Hair-kicker is excellent on this one. Very nice. What did you use?

FlyNavy

I like them both.

adbsgicom

Very classic and classy. I love the one renegade curl coming down to CR...

PhilD41

Very well done.. again. I do like the background better in this one. Having the ambient light out also gave your model some beautiful open eyes. Looks GREAT!

zoomer

I don't like the mans body angle and his skin looks a bit dark/red, a bit flat. Otherwise fine.
I like the ladies photo better, skin is a little dark/red.
Both are professional looking portraits.

Old School is shag carpet and earth toned wall paper .

Yaflyyadie

The second portrait is much better, to me, both are professional grade.
You nailed with the subtle changes made.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Y.

Agnieszka

I think it's an absolutely beautiful photo! Well done!