This is one of the test shots from my last photo class. My students needed to crank out a few quick head shots for our theater department playbill. Shot on a Canon A-70 at 5..6 with the shutter at 1/60. Hot lights with the key at 5.6 and the fill at 4.0. No re-touching in photoshop yet.

Any suggestions?

I like B&W pics where the ratios are a bit higher. Lighting that looks great for color often looks flat when B&W. I would increase the lighting ratios and see what you like.

Dennis

I like B&W pics where the ratios are a bit higher. Lighting that looks great for color often looks flat when B&W. I would increase the lighting ratios and see what you like.

Dennis

Great job here MJS.

I agree with Dennis about the lighting ratios. I would also prefer to have the background more dark (or much more bright). The skin tones are almost the same tone as the background.

I did a little tweaking in photoshop 6. A little cloning of a blemish and messing a bit with the curves.

I did a little tweaking in photoshop 6. A little cloning of a blemish and messing a bit with the curves.

I feel that you've now washed out his skin tone with the photoshop edits. I realize that advising to go back and reshoot isn't an option, but here is what I would ideally do:

White background, black t-shirt. Because the background, the students skintone, and the t-shirt are all in the same color spectrum, which leaves us with a picture that has no "pop" to it.