I would like feedback on my current commercial headshot and what you think my age range is.

Thank you!

Melissa Munn

Hi Melissa,

It's a very sweet shot The resolution seems pretty low so it's a little blurry. I'm assuming it's actually quite sharp and clean? If so, dynamite! I'd ask your retoucher to desaturate the back of that chair so it's not so noticeable, that should help. You're slightly slouching if you want to be picky but outside of that, fabulous.

One more note, I would have gone with a little wider angle and brighter colors for a commercial shot, and a white border, not black. I look at it this way, if you simply stop smiling in the same shot and it's instantly a theatrical headshot, then it's not really commercial in the first place. If you were not smiling, this would be a fantastic theatrical shot, so that's my only concern (since you're calling this commercial)

Age range guess is 24-30?

I agree with Zampano.

This was done by Kevyn Major Howard ugghhh. His gimmick is that black and red border and his signature at the bottom right.

I'll admit, this has the be the ONLY decent shot that I've seen done by KMH.

Thank you so much for the feedback! I am new to the message boards here but I have been reading other posts a bit. I've noticed that not many seem to be fans of KMH here..Is it his pricing? I know he is kind of pricey but I do like his work. I'm curious why others may not be too fond of him. Zampano, my prints are much sharper than the pic posted here. The resolution was somewhat lost in the upload. In your opinion is the chair that distracting in this shot? As far as the comment on slouching, Kevyn has every actor do this weird leaning forward in the chair pose :/

Truthteller, I'll go ahead and take that as compliment that this is the only good one you've seen by KMH!

Thanks again for the feedback! Much appreciated!!

Hi Melissa,

I was being picky regarding the chair, it does take up a forth of the image and my eyes go straight to it, but it's a simple removal in photoshop.

Nice shot

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Melissa_M:
Thank you so much for the feedback! I am new to the message boards here but I have been reading other posts a bit. I've noticed that not many seem to be fans of KMH here..Is it his pricing? As far as the comment on slouching, Kevyn has every actor do this weird leaning forward in the chair pose :/
QUOTE]

Besides the price he charges for his "work," you've just said one of the reasons why a lot of people are not fans of his work. You could take the red and black border and the signature away and people would still guess it's KMH based on the slouch and chair pose that he makes EVERYONE do.

Kevyn Major Howard does a lot of things that Agents, notably KSR,CESD and Commercial Talent (all top notch) and many casting directors hate.

Here's what a lot of people hate about KMH:
-Terrible lighting that usually CANNOT be fixed by a reproductions studio.

-He sneaks his signature into your photo. You can't remove it for he can technically sue you if you do.

-Character/Specific looks/Props. This is an insult to CDs who are paid to imagine you playing different roles based on one general headshot. It is good to have multiple GENERAL looks. For example a business suit look should say lawyer, young professional, detective, FBI, etc. A more casual look can say college, high school.

-Chopping off the top of the head. When too much of your head is chopped off, it makes it a little difficult as to what your really look like. Cropping off a small part of the top of your head is forgivable, but not to the extent where you look like Hannibal Lecter's victims. Kevyn Major Howard is notorious for Hannibal Lecter/Sylar chops to the head.

-Too close. Don't get it cropped too close to where people can't see your body. At least your upper torso should be visible in your shots so CDs/Agents have a fair idea of what you look like physically.

-Silly poses. Headshots are supposed to be as natural as rain. Making stupid poses will just make you look stupider. Such common poses include, but not limited to:
1. Sitting on the toilet. This is where you're sitting down but really leaning forward.
2. My head is too heavy. Don't do a headshot where your hand is under your chin or even touching your head.
3. Look at me, I have a sexy back! I've seen some headshots where people are in contorted poses, looking over his or her shoulder. It's not natural.
4. I'm a mermaid! This is where you're laying on your stomach with your feet up.
5. Leading with my shoulder

And here's another good reason why not everyone likes him.
http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/f...=450104681#450104681

Ditto Zampano's excellent comments.

It's a great shot!

Ron

Thanks Ron!

I'm not quite as excited about my theatrical shot..what do you guys think?

You're gorgeous, but my eyes are tempted to look down.

Ditto.

i think they are both good...
However I sorely detest that red border

WTF is that?
Its so majorly distracting!

quote:

Originally posted by Melissa_M:
Thanks Ron!

I'm not quite as excited about my theatrical shot..what do you guys think?

Your pose is just stiff, that's all. I would find one where you're a little more loose. You're quite lovely and everything else is fine. Granted, it's still blurry and pixelated but I'm assuming the real shot is crisp. I'd also warm this up, that photographer has a real problem with cooling down photos (usually very blue). This could use some warmth

As for truth and miss, just ignore them, they hate every headshot that pops up, especially if breasts are involved (god forbid a woman shows her breasts). Your breasts are just fine in this shot and barely noticeable. So what if someone "looks down" anyway. If it was distracting, that's a problem, but it's not here.

quote:

Originally posted by FaithLove:
However I sorely detest that red border

WTF is that?
Its so majorly distracting!

That's one of Kevyn Major Howard's gimmicks, the Red and Black border. He also sneaks in his signature that you cannot legally remove.

She can change the border
AND SHOULD

A white line instead of red would help dramatically

quote:

Originally posted by Zampano:

quote:

Originally posted by Melissa_M:
Thanks Ron!

I'm not quite as excited about my theatrical shot..what do you guys think?

Your pose is just stiff, that's all. I would find one where you're a little more loose. You're quite lovely and everything else is fine. Granted, it's still blurry and pixelated but I'm assuming the real shot is crisp. I'd also warm this up, that photographer has a real problem with cooling down photos (usually very blue). This could use some warmth

As for truth and miss, just ignore them, they hate every headshot that pops up, especially if breasts are involved (god forbid a woman shows her breasts). Your breasts are just fine in this shot and barely noticeable. So what if someone "looks down" anyway. If it was distracting, that's a problem, but it's not here.

Blah blah blah.