headshots comments/critique - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/22/2009 12:00:14 AM · #1

I wanted to get some input on these shots before I hand them over to the client. Let me know what you think.
I thought I would give him some variety of processing. Are some too much?

OK Update!

Dave has signed with an Agency. They really like the shot of him here

and want to use it for their website.THey have also expressed interest in using me for future models.

I don't mind if they wnat to use the pic just for this use. I do want to be compensated for future use of this shot,or any other shots, in promo items or other material that they use. How do I go about this in a manner as not to upset the client/agency?

I am aware that I need to write up a contract stating these requests. I am sure there must be someone that has dealt with this before and I am looking for you to help me or guide me in the right direction. All help is greatly appreciated.

Leo

ETA I already have a model release form with Dave but I think I need something with the Agency.

Message edited by author 2009-04-20 23:05:13.

cujee

Canon EOS-30D

02/22/2009 12:16:22 AM · #2

Great headshots! very pristine and sharp. Lighting is also amazing for all of them. I think for the cowboy shot there was a weird Gaussian blur softness on the right cheek/jaw area, but it might have been just my monitor or my eyes.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/22/2009 12:34:01 AM · #3

All are excellent. I like the first three the best, and the Hat shot best of all--beautifully done. Though I also noticed a little softness on the right cheek (his left) that might have snuck in during post processing.

The last two are my least favorite--the last just has me sayin "button your damn shirt". The b/w shirtless one, because of the angles and such makes his head seem disproportionate to the rest of him (to my eye, anyway) and the arm crop on the right is a bit awkward. Of course, it is a matter of taste and what the client is wanting, going for. I can't imagine he would be disappointed by any of these. very nicely done.

aerogurl

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

02/22/2009 06:38:37 AM · #4

Originally posted by cujee:

def agree about the cowboy shot, great all but the blur on the right side.

Excellent post processing work... seems in all the photos his right eye is bluer or brighter than the other, of course thats not your problem lol but just thought I would point that out.. he has beautiful eyes btw

very nice headshots, any model would love to have such a diverse set in his portfolio. :)

GIS_boy

Canon EOS-7D

Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for Canon

02/22/2009 07:13:59 AM · #5

Great work Leo, I think your client will be very happy with your work. Some fantastic compositions and a great variety of shots.

vawendy

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS

02/22/2009 07:15:28 AM · #6

very nice shots! I like the cowboy shot the best. (didn't notice the blur, but I'm very bad at noticing things like that--so don't go by me.)

I really agree on the shirtless one--it's looking quite out of proportion to me.

My only other comment is that majority of the shots have the top of his head cropped off. Personally, it's a style that I like and use a lot. But a number of people that I've photographed just don't get it. Depending on how well you know this person and his tastes, you might want to add in a few whole head shots. If he doesn't like the cropping style, there's not much for him to choose from...

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

02/22/2009 08:04:59 AM · #7

Thx for the comments. Yes I did miss the little blur on the cowboy shot. I will try and fix that.

Any others?

bennettjamie

Canon EOS-6D

02/22/2009 08:44:27 AM · #8

I left a comment for each photo. I think you have done an amazing job with this shoot. Great work.

hesitant

Nikon D750

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ED-IF

02/22/2009 09:09:20 AM · #9

Hi, I love the shots but if you're asking for comments I'd like to draw your attention to the B/W one where he's looking out of the window. I think this is the weakest shot for the following reasons, strongest first: The side of his his face and neck away from the window look flat and unflattering - I'm sure he would like to see a little more definition around his jaw.
Next, the harsh light on the underside of his nose almost makes it look like two separate halves stuck together (not evident in the other pics.
Last, he's in a (business) suit but that particular window doesn't look like a business setting which is slightly incongruous.
These remarks are IMHO - I hope they are the kind of thing you were looking for.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/22/2009 12:59:27 PM · #10

Originally posted by hesitant:

I agree.. not sure what happened with this shot but I might play with it to give it a boost.

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

02/22/2009 01:12:06 PM · #11

Originally posted by LVicari:

Originally posted by hesitant:
Hi, I love the shots but if you're asking for comments I'd like to draw your attention to the B/W one where he's looking out of the window. I think this is the weakest shot for the following reasons, strongest first: The side of his his face and neck away from the window look flat and unflattering - I'm sure he would like to see a little more definition around his jaw.
Next, the harsh light on the underside of his nose almost makes it look like two separate halves stuck together (not evident in the other pics.
Last, he's in a (business) suit but that particular window doesn't look like a business setting which is slightly incongruous.
These remarks are IMHO - I hope they are the kind of thing you were looking for.

I agree.. not sure what happened with this shot but I might play with it to give it a boost.

The main light was too low, as evidenced by the shadow of his collar shooting up onto his neck.

02/22/2009 01:15:02 PM · #12

Originally posted by violinist123:

Originally posted by LVicari:

Originally posted by hesitant:
Hi, I love the shots but if you're asking for comments I'd like to draw your attention to the B/W one where he's looking out of the window. I think this is the weakest shot for the following reasons, strongest first: The side of his his face and neck away from the window look flat and unflattering - I'm sure he would like to see a little more definition around his jaw.
Next, the harsh light on the underside of his nose almost makes it look like two separate halves stuck together (not evident in the other pics.
Last, he's in a (business) suit but that particular window doesn't look like a business setting which is slightly incongruous.
These remarks are IMHO - I hope they are the kind of thing you were looking for.

I agree.. not sure what happened with this shot but I might play with it to give it a boost.

The main light was too low, as evidenced by the shadow of his collar shooting up onto his neck.

Ah yes! wise man.I think I will try to clone out the shadow and play with a little Dodge/Burn to give some more details. Not sure if this will work.

Beetle

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/22/2009 01:17:30 PM · #13

They are gorgeous shots of a very nice model.

The only thing that bugged me was the cropping. On several of them, you cropped off just a little bit of his head, and that was the first thing I noticed with them.

I would prefer either if you didn't crop off any of his head, or really MEAN it, i.e. crop more to fill the frame.

As it is, it just looks like an unfortunate cropping or compositional accident to me.

02/22/2009 05:46:48 PM · #14

Anyone else want to chime in and give advice?

Thx

02/23/2009 08:40:09 AM · #15

Is anyone out there?

jeger

Canon EOS-5D

02/23/2009 09:09:27 AM · #16

Well Leo, these all look great. I'm sure he will be very happy with them.

I agree that the cheek on the cowboy photo looks soft. Other than that, all of your photos are very well lit, focused, and sharp. For what it is worth, I think the two black & white photos (#9 & #14) are not as strong as the others. Don't get me wrong, I would be happy to have them in my portfolio; they just don't seem as dynamic as the colour photos. The cowboy photo is by far my favourite. I'd give him a 7 or an 8 :P

Edited for typos

Message edited by author 2009-02-23 09:14:27.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/23/2009 07:36:49 PM · #17

any other comments before I process some more?

Jason_Cross

Nikon D50

02/23/2009 11:56:26 PM · #18

Amazing. I love that shot.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/24/2009 07:23:35 AM · #19

Originally posted by Jason_Cross:

Amazing. I love that shot.

Thanks

This is one of my favs as well from that day.

rlewis

Canon EOS-40D

02/24/2009 07:53:37 AM · #20

Can you give us specifics on the cowboy hat shot? F stop, shutter speed? I see no catch lights in the eyes. Did you use a flash and if so how were they positioned?

dassilem

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

02/24/2009 09:58:04 AM · #21

not sure if this is the photographer skills or the model skills (probably both)....but this series is gonna be fantastic in his (the model) portfolio. He looks so different in each shot....your photos truly capture his ability to 'play the part'

Great shots

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/24/2009 01:15:58 PM · #22

Originally posted by rlewis:

Can you give us specifics on the cowboy hat shot? F stop, shutter speed? I see no catch lights in the eyes. Did you use a flash and if so how were they positioned?

The specs on the cowboy shot
f4 1/250 iso 100 with a reflector
Sun to the left and reflector lower right

If you look closely on the left eye(his right) on the lower right you will see the reflector. It was an overcast day so the sun was well muted and we tried bouncing back any light we could. I didn't want to pimp the eyes too much in this shot.

Quigley

Nikon D700

02/24/2009 08:45:15 PM · #23

Originally posted by LVicari:

Originally posted by rlewis:
Can you give us specifics on the cowboy hat shot? F stop, shutter speed? I see no catch lights in the eyes. Did you use a flash and if so how were they positioned?

The specs on the cowboy shot
f4 1/250 iso 100 with a reflector HELD BY MY FATHFULL ASSISTANT MAX! (you meant to put that part in, right?)
Sun to the left and reflector lower right

If you look closely on the left eye(his right) on the lower right you will see the reflector. It was an overcast day so the sun was well muted and we tried bouncing back any light we could. I didn't want to pimp the eyes too much in this shot.

Message edited by author 2009-02-24 20:45:36.