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02/24/2011 06:01:58 AM · #1 |
This may be a silly question, but I've sorta taken over most photo duties for the company I work for (being the IT guy) and am taking advantage of every opportunity I can to do work that I can also use to build my portfolio (I'd MUCH rather do this for a living than IT).
Anyway, it turns I have to re-shoot approx 75 people for corporate head shots (the old ones were done by someone else and they're not happy with them). It's pretty straightforward. I have access to additional lighting (strobes and light boxes) and a great camera to use. Are there any tips you guys would suggest? Lighting tips? Camera angle (I've seen a lot of shots with the camera up high and the people looking up)? Something to help everyone look confident and happy? Anything else I wouldn't think of?
Thanks! |
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02/24/2011 06:10:05 AM · #2 |
| Looking down on people makes them look smaller. If you want a strong image, you should have the camera looking slightly up at them. At any rate, headshots are pretty straight forward. 50MM lens, good uncluttered background, headshot to just below shoulders. Have fun! |
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02/24/2011 06:21:32 AM · #3 |
| Hire a bullshit artist to tell the women how gorgeous they look. |
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02/24/2011 06:32:09 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Hire a bullshit artist to tell the women how gorgeous they look. |
I can handle that part. :) |
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02/24/2011 06:38:56 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by Strikeslip:
Hire a bullshit artist to tell the women how gorgeous they look. |
What, are you looking for additional income Slippy? :) |
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02/24/2011 06:44:52 AM · #6 |
Depends on the sort of look they're going for. If typical, stock photos, then just make sure your background is very clean, and have them sit at least 7-10 feet in front of it or you'll be dealing with shadows. Your strobes should be almost evenly powered from the left and right to achieve uniform lighting. If you want to be fancy, add a hair light.
If they're looking for some stuff with "punch" or personality, I'd go with one strobe at least 1/3 lower than the other (if lit from the front), or having an additional strobe hit the bg to create a "halo" effect in the bg. You can also use that third light to hit their shoulders from behind, high up. Adds some nice drama.
Higher or lower angle can be tricky because it doesn't flatter everyone, i.e. people with extra weight will develop rolls around their neck if looking down. |
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02/24/2011 06:56:49 AM · #7 |
First - I would find out EXACTLY what they don't like about the existing ones.
Talk to the internal web guy (maybe it's you)... See if they have some requirements assuming they are putting them on their intranet in some form.
Make them all the same as far as lighting & background - so save settings & put some tape on the ground so you can reposition pretty much exactly since your prob not going to get all of them in one hit - even if you think you can bang thru that many in a day some will be out/unavailable e.t.c.
I would keep pretty much level since it will work for everyone - although for the execs I would do slightly under to give them more of an (self) "important" look (the superhero affect I guess). |
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02/24/2011 07:47:09 AM · #8 |
Personally, I'd go with one largish softbox on the subject, place somewhat near and slightly above the camera and one background light with a scoop. I'd go with a neutral grey or blue background. Nothing fancy and somewhat flat, but this is not an artistic venture.
Use a prime lens (85mm to 135mm on a FF camera or 50mm or 85mm on an APS-C camera) and mark your standing point and subject point. This will give you consistency in perspective and framing. In every decision you make, you'll need to make it repeatable.
Look at the faces for symmetry and adjust accordingly. If one eye is bigger than the other, have your subjct turn that eye slightly away from the camera. Big forehead, lower the camera slightly.
Don't try shallow DoF stuff. Give yourself ample Dof. I'd say at least 18 inches. You can calculate your DoF on dofmaster.com.
GLASSES - most likely you'll be dealing with quite a few people that wear glasses. Have them move the ear pieces up just slightly on their ears to eliminate reflections and allow the eyes to be seen. Alternatively, you could acquisition pairs of fashionable lensless frames to be used in place of the subject's own glasses.
Originally posted by robs:
Make them all the same as far as lighting & background |
I agree with one exception. Have ladies, especially older ones hold a reflector in their laps, pointed toward their faces. This will diminish wrinkles, etc. With men, wrinkles are fine, almost expected in the business world, but women want those gone.
Message edited by author 2011-02-24 12:51:20.
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02/24/2011 08:50:58 AM · #9 |
I think you've gotten some very good advice, most importantly to discuss in detail what about the current shots does not meet their needs.
One thing I've always really liked is when I run across headshots that are done in a more "environmental" style, with the BG being a nicely decorated office space, just enough OOF to make it unobtrusive. That may not be a style that appeals to them, but IMO it differentiates from the standard formula headshots we are all so used to seeing. |
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02/24/2011 09:01:32 AM · #10 |
Kirbic, you're absolutely right. I think one of the reasons they're not satisfied is that there was too much inconsistency with the files and such. I don't know if it was so much the pics themselves (but I WILL ask).
I've already gotten way more good advice than I imagined, to be honest. Thank you guys so much. Keep it coming (if there's anything left..) |
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