My first Headshots!

[CTdslr]

I did my very first Headshot session yesterday and learned a lot!
DSLR Adventures

I don't have a reflector yet, but it's on its way!

Here are 2 of my favorites:
These are still proofs. I'm waiting for the client to pick what she wants to use.






Constructive Criticism would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[n8]

The composition looks nice, as is the bokeh in #1 (guessing your using that new 50mm , but you may have gone overboard with the dof, as much of her face looks soft and washed out. I would definitely suggest warming her up a bit.

[arne saknussen]

Will she be using these for acting?

[CTdslr]

N8. What do you mean buy warming her up? Change the white balance?

Yes, these will be for acting.

[n8]

Essentially yes.

[Anbesol]

I agree with nate on warming her up. But I disagree that you went overboard, I think they are just right dof. The first one is my favorite, by far, very good. The second one looks a bit of an awkward angle.

[PhilF]

What do you mean buy warming her up? Change the white balance?

Yes, these will be for acting.

meaning she looks pale... adjust the hue or yes white balance

[draymorton]

These are honestly great for a first time out. I particularly like #1. Great angle and the dof is, in my opinion, right where it needs to be.

There are things you could do to improve the impact, especially being that these will be used as headshots. Vignetting to make her the focal point, face retouching to remove lines, maybe a tiny bit of eye lightening and teeth-whitening, and a little boost in contrast. (See attached example - overdone for emphasis - halfway between the original and the edit should do it)

As for the skin tone, what bothers me more than the pallor is the unevenness.

Great shots, though. Look forward to what you come up with next.

p.s. tried the edit in b/w. Looks great.

[CTdslr]

The edited image isn't showing up on my end

Thanks for the comments, dray! I haven't seen any actor headshots that have vignetting, but I'll give it a try. There is a place in NY that specializes in touch up and reprinting. I'm just going to send the clients the file, and they get it reprinted themselves.
Is that the photographer's job to do that?

These are just proofs, so when the final 2 are picked, I'll make sure they are equally balanced.

[rebcastillo77]

For your first time out these are pretty darn fanstic! I am drawn to the first shot- and I don't think you over did the DOF at all. I love fair skin so for me that wasn't a problem, but I do think the skin is slightly uneven and I agree with draymorton regarding the eye lightening and teeth whitening. I do like the vignette in his edit, but maybe pull it back some. The angle on the second shot isn't working for me- I'm not sure it is a flattering angle for your model. Man if this is your first session I can't imagine where you'll be with more practice- wow. Good job!

[Anbesol]

vignetting is incredibly easy to do in photoshop, add new layer, apply black gradients at corners to desired length and intensity, change blending type to overlay or soft light (or even leave it on normal if you like). Vignetting is a great touch, I use it on the majority of my prints.

[CTdslr]

I usually do vignetting on a lot of my shots as well, but didn't want to use it for headshots. I do it in Lightroom instead of Photoshop

[draymorton]

The only reason I'd added/suggested a vignette was to draw one's eye directly to her face. It can be done in a much subtler manner than I've done, for sure.

[shootme]

The eyes and smile are captivating, love the edit.

[Grandpaw]

I prefer the first one also. If you use the second one her face and especially her neck has a green tint on my monitor that needs to be taken care of, Jeff

[gahspidy]

This thread is over a year old. . . .

[CTdslr]

It has been a while! I actually did a little more post processing on it recently.

[LeeIs]

looks good!

[shootme]

This thread is over a year old. . . .

Ummmm, some of us are slow... Funny how good things reappear over time

[gahspidy]

Ummmm, some of us are slow... Funny how good things reappear over time

lol, oldies and goodies do come back up at times. I'm glad CT is still with us to appreciate it

[shootme]

lol, oldies and goodies do come back up at times. I'm glad CT is still with us to appreciate it

Yes, totally agree...

[TheLostEyeball]

Wow those are great!