Hi there! I'm new here and pretty new to acting. I got a few headshots taken and would like to go ahead and get them printed out.

I would love to know if you all think this one is a good quality headshot.

Thanks!

Hi Olga!

I have a few concerns with this headshot. The first obvious one is your head is chopped off, which gives you a rough looking composition as a whole, normally not a problem, but this chop is a little drastic. Your right eye was lit up in post, and it's obvious. The balance of light is poor and the post work to correct it does not work, in fact it's pretty rough. The DOF (depth of field) is also very peculiar and somewhat distracting. Your posture is also a concern, your sort of slouched and the angle doesn't help (but that can be overlooked). My main problem is that right eye, he really did a number on it in post.

The good news is, you've got a great look! You're pretty and it's clear you have the strength to deliver a dynamite headshot. I would consider doing some research on photographers and finding the best one that fits that strength. OR, show us a few more headshots from this session, maybe there's some keepers you overlooked?

Good luck!

Thanks! It's difficult judging yourself, so I really appreciate your feedback. I definitely see the right eye thing! Will see if that can be fixed.

This is the photo before the right eye was "fixed".

Also adding another photo. But maybe it's too washed out?

May need to find someone else.


I appreciate all feedback. Thanks!

Maybe too blown out???

Even your raw image is better that the one (s)he touched up. Here's your original touch-up and a very quick touch up I did to show you that you might have something in your session that's salvageable. I don't think it's this one because the crop is so bad, and to be honest the second one (above) isn't that great either, only because you lost the strength you had in the first one. You don't seem as engaged in this second shot. Post a couple more.


Your original:





My quick touch-up:

You asked if that second one was too blown out. It's not, again it's just a balance of light that should have been done during the shoot, however the light can be balanced to a small degree in post, like this:

Zampano covered most of why these shots are not usable so that saves me some writing. I echo most of that.

I would like to add my own personal plea to HELP you-

PLEASE do not use these photos. They look like snapshots and they just do not flatter you at all. I don't know how the local market is where you are but I know that here in LA headshots need to pop and make a statement and these do not do that.

As a styling issue, you might want to grow out your bangs and go for a hairstyle with some layers, one that is more for your age group rather than that of a preteen. Go thrpugh magaizines and look for people with you sort of look and see what's in right now. I think - no, I KNOW that will help you. The right hairdo can subtract years. As women, the more we try to style our hair and makeup how we did 15 years ago, instead of appearing younger we actually age ourselves.

Thanks for the advice! I really appreciate it.

I feel like it is very difficult to find the right photographer.

There is this guy that seems to be the best, from what I can tell in New Orleans. Here's his website:

http://www.lawrencepturner.fatcow.com/id1.html

There's no way that's the best of New Orleans, keep searching

quote:

Originally posted by olgaitaly:

Also adding another photo. But maybe it's too washed out?

You're absolutely correct, Olga.

All of these photos are totally blown-out, despite the advice of my esteemed colleague and his efforts to correct the problem.

You were shot in intense window light, creating the "washed out" appearance of your headshots that you so accurately pointed out.

The unfortunate reality is that most great headshot photographers are going to be extremely difficult to find in minor markets like New Orleans. Remember this: Talent follows the money.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Actually, they are not blown out. Blown out is a term used for lack of pixels or something to print in the shot due to over exposure. If you drop the levels and curves you will immediately find your skin. This implies the skin can be saved in post.

Granted, it'll do no good because the shot is still a poor quality shot, however to say this is blown-out is incorrect. Sorry, Robert but you're wrong.

Blown out does not mean "too bright", it means if you printed it, there would be nothing to print in the hot spots. This is a fact, not an opinion.

"washed out" is not "blown out"

Okay, I basically just typed in New Orleans photographers and went through each persons website. 30 I'm guessing so far.

What do you think of this guy? Thanks!!!


http://www.rickolivier.com/Art...=20505&Akey=HJXCH6T2

quote:

Originally posted by olgaitaly:
Okay, I basically just typed in New Orleans photographers and went through each persons website. 30 I'm guessing so far.

What do you think of this guy? Thanks!!!


http://www.rickolivier.com/Art...=20505&Akey=HJXCH6T2

I don't see his headshot rates nor any actor headshots. I would first ask him to send you samples of ACTOR headshots before you do anything else. Actor headshots is a craft unto itself, just because he has a nice portfolio does not mean he knows how to shoot headshots that will get you work. Do you know what his rates are?

Gotcha. This is tough. I think I may just have to fly out to L.A. in a few months and take care of it there (I guess that will give me time to grow out my bangs).

I just can't find anyone here.

If I do fly out to L.A., I'm leaning towards these guys:

David Muller
Bradford Rogue
Blake Gardner
Marc Cartwright
Vanie Poyey

Does anyone have preferences to who is better for getting that amazing headshot that just pops?

Thanks again!!!