Hello there. This is my first post on the forums here, although I've been lurking about for awhile now. I recently got my first headshots taken, and I thought I'd share the two that I've chosen to use to submit for roles. I am fairly satisfied with how they turned out, and feel that they will at least get me started here in LA. But, I figured it wouldn't hurt to poll the opinions of the backstage community.





Let me know what you think!

I really don't like the way you're positioned. It's a very awkward tilt (especially in the second one) and you're not really engaging the camera. I think you could do much better...

Could you explain what you find awkward about it, DK? I'm mainly just curious, because both the photographer and I were really taken with the sort of whimsical tilt of the second photo. We both agreed that the angle probably normally wouldn't work, but that it actually added something to this shot. I have also had several other very positive responses to it. Could you also explain how I could be engaging the camera better? I actually picked these shots because of the intensity (in the case of the first one), and the soft, pensive gaze of the second.

I basically just want to better understand your point of view, so I can take it into consideration for next time.

the tilt doesn't so much bother me as the makeup

its pretty obvious your foundation is a different colour from your neck

no big worries though

just make sure you tell whoever retouches it to take that into consideration

I agree with Dennis.

In the first one you're shot sideways with your head turned forward. This makes your face awkward and unnatural looking. My eyes also go towards your cleevage. With regards to expression in the first one. It looks like you're going to smile but not committing to it. You either smile or don't smile.

The "whimsical" tilt doesn't add anything to your second headshot. It's SO unnatural. It also looks like someone photoshopped your face and rotated it like that.

Yes, I noticed that on the makeup to. I'm not sure why the MA used that foundation color, which was obviously a couple shades too dark. Unfortunately, I didn't say anything because I thought it had something to do with the lighting, and wouldn't actually show up in the photos.

Does anyone have any positive as well as negative comments? I know that these can't be all bad.

EDIT: I would like to thank everyone for their comments, but it has occurred to me that I am happy with these shots, and I'm not sure why I decided I needed validation from the Backstage forums. Because I don't really agree with the perceived flaws thus far, I think it would probably be best if we just left it here. I am pleased with the results of my first photography session, and I think they will do well for me. It's as simple as that.

Again, thank you to those who already took the time to reply with your opinions, but, I just don't need this thread to go any further.

Why don't you take these to various casting director workshops and ask the CDs? Those are the people who look at them and really determine if they're good or not. Just don't be surprised if they have similar comments.

yeah
obviously you don't take criticism well (good luck with that btw)

But, you still need to get your makeup fixed in retouching.

Or don't.
W/e.

Look, FaithLove, its not that I am taking their criticism poorly. I created the thread specifically asking for comments, so I was expecting criticism. All that really happened here is a difference of opinion. I'm not rejecting their opinions. It just, for whatever reason, played out that the details I personally enjoyed about the shots happened to be the details they had problems with. I agreed with you about the makeup, because that is obviously true. I merely posted asking to halt the thread, in order to avoid exactly what has just happened: I was worried that someone was going to misunderstand me, and that it was going to create problems. Which I wanted to avoid. There is a difference between getting defensive and simply disagreeing. At this point, I'm not exactly clear on why you thought it was so important to be rude. It just further supports my original thought of not posting here in the first place.

But, as I said previously, this thread doesn't really need to continue.

It's okay hun.

There have been a lot of people that have the same story as you.

Thanks for the short visit!

quote:

Originally posted by Finbarsgift:
Yes, I noticed that on the makeup to. I'm not sure why the MA used that foundation color, which was obviously a couple shades too dark. Unfortunately, I didn't say anything because I thought it had something to do with the lighting, and wouldn't actually show up in the photos.

Does anyone have any positive as well as negative comments? I know that these can't be all bad.

EDIT: I would like to thank everyone for their comments, but it has occurred to me that I am happy with these shots, and I'm not sure why I decided I needed validation from the Backstage forums. Because I don't really agree with the perceived flaws thus far, I think it would probably be best if we just left it here. I am pleased with the results of my first photography session, and I think they will do well for me. It's as simple as that.

Again, thank you to those who already took the time to reply with your opinions, but, I just don't need this thread to go any further.

I believe, as a newbie especially, you are acting very foolishly.

These people, many of whom seriously know their stuff, took time out of their day to firmly yet politely tell you these shots are not great. But rather than taking it graciously, you chose to be affronted and offended because they didn't agree with you. Here's the thing though. You came here asking for help, you got it, and you as good as said, "to hell with you all, I will do my own thing anyway". Not a good way to introduce yourself to the community, especially when you could learn so much here with people who will help you.

You are going to hear FAR worse than anything here on this board many many many times should you choose to go any further with this business.

A little about these people-

Dennis- he is one of the best natural light photographers on the market. He shoots people of all kinds and the end results are amazing.

Faith Love- she recently came on here with her own set of exquisite photos and has had meetings with truly excellent representation based on those very photos she posted here(courtesy of David Muller)

Truthteller- one of the most well informed actors we have on this board with a proven history of being right on the money more often than not.

We have these three people, and myself, also with a track record of experience and giving sound advice, telling you these are NOT great.

Maybe you should stop and think about all this, and come at this from a different point of view, open your mind and consider, just maybe we are right.

The truth can hurt, but in this case, it really is the truth and you needed to hear it.

I agree with truthteller about the smile, you're not fully committed to it in the first one.

As for the "whimsical" tilt, it could possibly work if you had a whimsical expression on your face...but you don't. You have a blank expression on your face and the background isn't doing you many favors.

You can engage the camera better by exuding more personality in your shots and turning your head toward the camera a little more. If the first is intended to be a commercial, your smile and energy should be jumping off the page.

These shots aren't HORRIBLE...the lighting is fine compared a lot of other pictures people post up in here... you just could do better, and they just aren't up to par with the people you might be competing with.

P.S. Thanks Miss Stone!

quote:

Originally posted by FaithLove:
the tilt doesn't so much bother me as the makeup

its pretty obvious your foundation is a different colour from your neck

no big worries though

just make sure you tell whoever retouches it to take that into consideration

agree...

this woman reminds me a lot of you FaithLove, in the green dress (not white)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCb-C6hOzpc

I was always told it's in the eyes. I agree that you're not completely engaging the camera.


A good photographer would direct you during a shoot. Think this, think that.

quote:

Originally posted by DK Headshots NY/LA:
I agree with truthteller about the smile, you're not fully committed to it in the first one.

As for the "whimsical" tilt, it could possibly work if you had a whimsical expression on your face...but you don't. You have a blank expression on your face and the background isn't doing you many favors.

You can engage the camera better by exuding more personality in your shots and turning your head toward the camera a little more. If the first is intended to be a commercial, your smile and energy should be jumping off the page.

These shots aren't HORRIBLE...the lighting is fine compared a lot of other pictures people post up in here... you just could do better, and they just aren't up to par with the people you might be competing with.

P.S. Thanks Miss Stone!

Any time.