How do you like them? I think the focus on the headshot might be a little soft, which is easy enough to correct. Thanks in advance!

Bradle

In both shots I feel like you seem a bit uptight and posed. I would like to see you more relaxed and connected to the camera for starters.

As for the 3/4 shot the first thing I notice is it looks like you are grabbing for your crotch. I know you aren't but that's what it appears like at first glance.

Overall the lighting is okay, it's not my favorite but I don't hate it. Do you have any more from this session?

Hi Bradle3,

You've got to crop the headshot. That angle is a little too extreme.

IMO, the 3/4 needs some cropping too. At first glance it looks like you're grabbing your crotch. Also, the open mouth thing kinda bothers me. Not really a smile.

Overall though, you're a good looking guy and you connect well with the camera but I do detect a little tension in your face on both shots.

good luck,

rod

Hey Bradle3,

You have really good looks and a great body of a personal trainer. I think you show your assets in your photos. Perhaps, the only thing that lacks is the energy in front of the camera. Loose the tension and you'll be fine. First picture serves as a better headshot. Best of luck!

Julie
http://www.actorgear.com

Thank you everyone! Yes I agree, I do look tense. I would normally have selected one in which I was smiling, but the problem is I like to show my eyes, and when I smile, I have tendency to squint (I get really happy when I smile haha). I agree on the cropping as well. Thank you all so much for the feedback, it is very much appreciated!

I cropped this from the HQ 3/4 Shot, was unsure whether to use an 8 width 10 height or 10 width 8 height when I cropped it. The original is very high resolution so the cropped / resized version of this is still very high quality and high pixel count.

I understand the open mouth is probably not desirable, but like I said when I smile naturally my eyes get lost, and also I tend to purse my lips a lot when I'm being photographed.. I haven't quite done it enough to be comfortable breathing out just a bit through my mouth to get that comfortable look.

If you're going to use one of these, I'd say the first one, definitely.
That being said, your eyes are GORGEOUS, and I can totally see why you want to show them. In addition, these are theatrical shots, so you shouldn't be smiling.
I think the first one could work in the short term, but maybe try to save up for better quality. You're very attractive, but I don't think these photos show the range of expression you have to offer. A different photog should be able to do you more justice.

quote:

Originally posted by bradle3:
I cropped this from the HQ 3/4 Shot, was unsure whether to use an 8 width 10 height or 10 width 8 height when I cropped it. The original is very high resolution so the cropped / resized version of this is still very high quality and high pixel count.

I understand the open mouth is probably not desirable, but like I said when I smile naturally my eyes get lost, and also I tend to purse my lips a lot when I'm being photographed.. I haven't quite done it enough to be comfortable breathing out just a bit through my mouth to get that comfortable look.

[IMGhttp://filebox.vt.edu/users/bradle3/HS3Smaller.jpg[/IMG]

This isn't a very good crop for the following reasons:
-It's landscape. The problem with horizontal shots is they show up smaller on casting sites such as Actorsaccess and LACasting, etc. You need to crop it portrait/vertical.

-Too much is cropped. Agents and casting directs want to see at least the upper part of your torso so they can get a fair idea of what you look like physically.

quote:

Originally posted by taketothewind199:
If you're going to use one of these, I'd say the first one, definitely.
That being said, your eyes are GORGEOUS, and I can totally see why you want to show them. In addition, these are theatrical shots, so you shouldn't be smiling.
I think the first one could work in the short term, but maybe try to save up for better quality. You're very attractive, but I don't think these photos show the range of expression you have to offer. A different photog should be able to do you more justice.

Thank you very much. I went with an affordable option this time, but yes, in the future I would like to explore my options as far as photographers are concerned. My photographer doesn't specialize in headshots, usually does style and magazine shooting for various clothing companies, but like I said, they were affordable right now, which was a big plus in this economy haha.

quote:

This isn't a very good crop for the following reasons:
-It's landscape. The problem with horizontal shots is they show up smaller on casting sites such as Actorsaccess and LACasting, etc. You need to crop it portrait/vertical.

-Too much is cropped. Agents and casting directs want to see at least the upper part of your torso so they can get a fair idea of what you look like physically.

Understood, I'll try that one again. Thank you for the input.

Bradle, to crop it, set your parameters at 9 inches height by 6 inches width instead of 8x10. That is the size of the photo that is put on an 8x10 canvas

Ok so I was fooling around with some cropping, how does this look? Better? Or do I need to include more / less of my upper body?

It's a better crop, but after giving a more detailed look at the second photo, I would get rid of it. The expression isn't doing it for me. You look extremely tense.

You need to practice your smile and notice how your eyes go when you smile. Maybe you could communicate that with your photographer the next time you shoot. He or she can alert you when you're squinting.

You did a good job cropping. I like the first photo. Not the second one because of the open mouth expression as everyone else pointed out.

quote:

Originally posted by bradle3:
I understand the open mouth is probably not desirable, but like I said when I smile naturally my eyes get lost, and also I tend to purse my lips a lot when I'm being photographed.. I haven't quite done it enough to be comfortable breathing out just a bit through my mouth to get that comfortable look.

Hi bradle3,

There is a term with actors: "being in your head."

This can happen not only in a scene someone may be performing but also in a headshot session.

You know why you yell, jump, flail, spin, stretch etc., before you start an acting class or before you perform? It helps take you out of your head and helps loosen up your "instrument".

Taking headshots is the same as doing a monologue, you're performing.

When you're performing a scene where you're laughing with your buddy or looking into your lovers eyes are you really thinking about what your face is doing? No. Because you are being "in the moment".

Trust yourself, be true, let yourself go, breathe. I guarantee, you will see a difference in your photos if you take this approach.

Find a photographer who you can trust and feel comfortable with and who can take more of a "directorial" position with you in your session.

Don't worry about how small your eyes get when you smile. You don't have to use every photo taken , just the great ones. Sure there will be some shots where you can't see your eyes enough. Big deal! That is the beauty of digital... if you shoot say 350 shots with this attitude you WILL get a great commercial and legit shot!

You're a good looking guy with a marketable look, you owe it to yourself. Now breathe!!!

good luck to you,

rod

Thank you everyone for all the feedback and advice. I appreciate it a great deal. Hopefully in the near future I can put all this great advice to practice. Just need to save up a little bit first. None-the-less thank you all again.