Headshot C&C

AlexHopesPhotography

Hey all,

New to the forum and struggling to find proper advice on this new avenue I've entered. I'm working on getting into more studio photography, portraits/headshots and eventually commercial work.

I've attached several images from shoots this month and I'd like a trained eye's perspective on things. I want to withhold one piece of information until after you look at the images so that you have a unbaised opinion of the images!

I'll include that info below!

Thanks in advance, Alex.

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.


7.


8.






Sooooooo..... the last piece of information, is that I am clorblind. It makes working with tones incredibly difficult. I am hoping to get feed back on color tones, retouching, and lighting. Thanks!

jonh68

I can't help you on the colorblind dept because I am too. I do like your style and technique, especially the use of a second back light.

AlexHopesPhotography

jonh68 wrote: »

I can't help you on the colorblind dept because I am too. I do like your style and technique, especially the use of a second back light.

Thanks man! The struggle is real.

divamum

Can't comment on headshots really without knowing the PURPOSE of them. Actor? Model? Businessman? LinkedIn? Since a headshot is, effectilvely, a personal promotion tool, knowing the intended use really important to commenting

And welcome!!

kdog

Welcome to Dgrin, Alex. I'll play.

1 Love the lighting and skin tones in this! Great mood. The knee cap at the chin is a deal breaker for me though.
2 Technically good, the pose and bland expression do nothing for me.
3 Great example of short-lighting. Too much rotation on the eyes, though. You want to leave at least a bit of white around the iris.
4 Perfect
5 Same nit as #3, eyes in contact with eye socket is not a good look.
6 Way too hot with blown skin tones. That's a very feminine pose with that head tilt and raised arm. Also, by shooting down at him, you've elongated his nose.
7 Pretty solid, but looks a bit hot as well
8 Looks good. Color balance seems different than 7 which is the same guy at the same location, right? It's always helpful to synchronize WB on similar shots like this so you get good consistency.

Overall, your skin tones are looking good. Seems like you're off to a good start.

AlexHopesPhotography

kdog wrote: »

Welcome to Dgrin, Alex. I'll play.

1 Love the lighting and skin tones in this! Great mood. The knee cap at the chin is a deal breaker for me though.
2 Technically good, the pose and bland expression do nothing for me.
3 Great example of short-lighting. Too much rotation on the eyes, though. You want to leave at least a bit of white around the iris.
4 Perfect
5 Same nit as #3, eyes in contact with eye socket is not a good look.
6 Way too hot with blown skin tones. That's a very feminine pose with that head tilt and raised arm. Also, by shooting down at him, you've elongated his nose.
7 Pretty solid, but looks a bit hot as well
8 Looks good. Color balance seems different than 7 which is the same guy at the same location, right? It's always helpful to synchronize WB on similar shots like this so you get good consistency.

Overall, your skin tones are looking good. Seems like you're off to a good start.

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks you!!

jmphotocraft

Professional results that will please any client. You're in business. The knee doesn't bother me in 1, I find the shot quite iconic. Reminds me of Grace Jones.

divamum

I missed the last piece of info and your specific requests (reading on phone)!!! As far as technicals, they all look great - perhaps a little heavy on the clarity slider for my taste, but that is a taste thing. The knee does bother me - it took me a few seconds to figure out what the heck it was! But otherwise, a strong shot

jonh68

Put me in the camp the knee doesn't bother me. It's a natural pose to some people and it looks natural here.

Foques

I love these... and just want to know the set up for #1 and 4

AlexHopesPhotography

Foques wrote: »

I love these... and just want to know the set up for #1 and 4

1. Lighting is ice light at 6 oclock and TD6 with 12 x 36 softbox at 12 oclock

4. Ice light at 6 oclock, two TD6's at 2 and 10 with a single light back about halfway between model and wall.

Thanks for the feedback!

AlexHopesPhotography

divamum wrote: »

I missed the last piece of info and your specific requests (reading on phone)!!! As far as technicals, they all look great - perhaps a little heavy on the clarity slider for my taste, but that is a taste thing. The knee does bother me - it took me a few seconds to figure out what the heck it was! But otherwise, a strong shot

Hmmm... There was no clarity adjustment. I added a slight high pass filter on the hair in #4. Maybe it's the contrast you're referring to?

Foques

Icelight, eh? thank you.

divamum

Could be contrast. Do you use any kind of hdr filter or the like? It looks ok as is just a little "stylized".

jmphotocraft

You know what bugs me way more than the knee? The nose stud. Looks like a frigging zit. Pretty girls like her don't need that stuff.

troopers

Good stuff...loving #4 a ton! Right arm tattoo on #8 is bugging me though.