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 06/13/2008 08:45:57 PM · #1
So I'm taking out a friend for free headshots, to hone my portraiture. Using my meager equipment (listed below), as well as the daylight, what would you guys recommend to make this shoot a successful one? This is more or less my first time, so give me even obvious hints.

I'm using an Olympus EVOLT E-300.

One automatic lens: Olympus 14-42mm f.3.5-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom

Two manual lenses:
Nikon MF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200 (I think)

Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8

I have a gold/silver reflector disc/diffuser, as well.

Filters: one polarizer, UV, and FL-DL to fit the Olympus lens
One HAZE to fit the Nikons
A close-up lens kit/reverse lens mount (but I don't expect to have to use that)

A mangy setup, I know, but the guy who did my headshots didn't use anything more and got great results. So my question to you, I guess is... What did HE do?

-Zack

EDIT: oh yes, and a tripod. I have a tripod.

Message edited by author 2008-06-13 20:46:30.
 06/13/2008 09:05:00 PM · #2
What are the headshots for? Figure out what you need to bring out in your subject in order to accomplish that.
 06/13/2008 09:10:48 PM · #3
Tip #1: Either do them early early in the morning or in the evening. You will be happier with the results. ;)

Tip #2: Bring an assistant. You would not believe how handy an extra set of hands is :)

Other than that, have fun! Headshots are to capture personality. :)
 06/13/2008 09:56:22 PM · #4
Alright, here I go.

I suggest use the 50mm, all my headshots are shot at 50mm and I love it.

Shoot them in the shade and stay aware of what direction the light is going in the shade so that the light best catches the eyes. The more even the light the better.

Don't use the gold side of the reflector, use the silver. It can be useful for using in the shade to create a brighter catchlight.

Talk to your model and make sure that they are at ease. Allow them to look away from the camera often so that they don't get stuck in one facial expression.

For more tips check out the thread I started on headshots here:
//dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=643377&highlight=headshots%20lovethelight&page=1

Claire
 06/14/2008 01:21:37 AM · #5
Originally posted by zackdezon:
So I'm taking out a friend for free headshots, to hone my portraiture. Using my meager equipment (listed below), as well as the daylight, what would you guys recommend to make this shoot a successful one? This is more or less my first time, so give me even obvious hints.

I'm using an Olympus EVOLT E-300.

One automatic lens: Olympus 14-42mm f.3.5-5.6 ED Zuiko Digital Zoom

Two manual lenses:
Nikon MF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200 (I think)

Nikon Series E 50mm f/1.8

I have a gold/silver reflector disc/diffuser, as well.

Filters: one polarizer, UV, and FL-DL to fit the Olympus lens
One HAZE to fit the Nikons
A close-up lens kit/reverse lens mount (but I don't expect to have to use that)

A mangy setup, I know, but the guy who did my headshots didn't use anything more and got great results. So my question to you, I guess is... What did HE do?

-Zack

EDIT: oh yes, and a tripod. I have a tripod.


Just like a camera lens, our eyes have very selective focus. We can be looking at something and be totally oblivious to what's going on around/behind it. With that in mind, it's all too easy to miss simple little things that become a royal pain later on. Stray hairs, distracting backgrounds, clothing with odd creases, a bra strap showing, etc. My suggestion would be to continuously remind yourself to look elsewhere in the picture, just to make sure that everything still looks good.

Have fun, and try to use a few unconventional camera angles that you don't see everyday. In doing so, however, I wouldn't suggest an extreme close-up of your friend's face at 14 mm. One of my favourite looks that I always try to get with female/child portraits is this:



Get as high as you can, use your widest aperture (you can get to f/1.8, so use it), and focus on the eyes. Make sure the irises and whites of the eyes look good (i.e. avoid the "canoe" effect), and it usually turns out great. I try to use soft light for these shots, although maybe I'll try a gridded light some time to see how it looks.

Finally, you could look through some magazines and rip out pictures you like. It makes the shoot easier, since you're not flustered trying to think of poses, and you can often "branch off" and come up with your own poses that are inspired by the magazine shot. I always ask the client, too, if there's anything they'd like.

Good luck, and post your results!

Edit to add: lovethelight said something that reminded me of one more thing. Try to remember what it's like to be photographed. It's easy for us to think things are going well, but remember that all the model sees is a camera and some glass. Keep them at ease, remind them that they are doing well, and maybe show them some of the images at the beginning to let them know how your pictures are looking.

Message edited by author 2008-06-14 01:24:07.
 06/14/2008 02:42:13 AM · #6
I did a slew of these recently...they are of the theatrical variety, done for a local youth production of "A Chorus Line".

I used my 18-200 VR. I tried to stay at the 70-100mm range. I was planning to crop in later, but I ended up doing almost all composition in camera. It just was easier to visualize and make sure I was getting the right shots.

I had a different lighting situation--I did it indoors and with a shoot through umbrella and a reflector umbrella for fill. I also had nice window light coming from one direction.

I used a small step ladder to make sure I shot from above them slightly. I think it helped and gave me a good angle. (But that's where the zoom came in too, because if I used a fixed focal length, I'd have been moving the ladder all over as I composed.)

I looked at lots of headshots before hand, and even brought a "compilation" of them for the kids to look at to help them visualize the shoot and some poses.

You got some great advice below (or above, whichever way your thread is listed). Here's my headshots (in color or bw) if you want to see some poses (ok, they're very similar, but they were supposed to be--they were used as part of the show, as well as being part of the program. ;)

Have fun!

Message edited by author 2008-06-14 02:44:13.
 06/14/2008 03:45:23 AM · #7
Thanks guys, you've been a lot of help. I'll let you guys know how the shoot goes tomorrow!
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