| Topic: New Headshots |
| Posted : 17/02/10 / Views : 1166 / Replies : 19 | |
|  | Hello all!
I've been very cheeky and had some new headshots taken by no-one else but my father. I'm skint and been a bit poorly of late so not able to travel too far so this seemed a perfect solution, especially as Dad has studied photography for 20 years. Could I possibly get an opinion on them? (They're the first three in my portfolio). Do they look 'professional' enough? Which one should I use? Thanks muchly xxx |
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| Reply #1: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 08/02/10 |
| | | Can anyone offer any help? I'd be mighty grateful! |
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| Reply #2: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 08/02/10 |
| | | They look very natural I've seen better by non pros and I've seen worse by pros. The ones I had taken, by a pro,did what I wanted, they look like me, wrinkles and all. If they look like you be content, if you want the "airbrushed" look with the soft focus get to a studio.Perhaps on old male actor isn't the the correct respondent! |
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| Reply #3: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 08/02/10 |
| | | I think they're fine. If you feel he has captured "you" then you're on to a winner! |
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| Reply #4: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 08/02/10 |
| | | I think they work. So long as they look like you then no worries. |
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| Reply #5: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 08/02/10 |
| | I think everyone is pretty much agreed - on a general basis, and to the untrained eye, your headshots look perfectly good. There is, perhaps, a slight lack of 'sharpness' in them for my taste - but that may be as much a result of the resolution on CCP as anything to do with the quality of the original! I think, frankly, if your dad has a working photographic setup, and has been able to utilise decent equipment then there is no reason, anyway, why his photography should be any less effective than a regular 'headshot' photographer. What is being paid for a lot of the time is simply a) the expertise and swiftness of the photographer in question and b) the name, to some extent, as certain individuals within the industry (agents mostly, in my experience) like to feel that a photograph has been taken by someone they consider 'reputable', which seems to reassure them. In other respects, however, I don't really think that who takes your headshot matters at all. Basic advice is not to have it done on the fly by someone who doesn't know what they are doing for the very good reason that it will not come out well, but a 'non professional' with a keen eye, and a good command of his/her equipment can often do a really good job, especially because someone who knows you well may tend to capture your essence better (and you are bound to be more relaxed and 'yourself' in their company). It is also true that casting directors, at least, are a lot less bothered by the quality of any headshot you send them than you think - providing it's accurate, which is the key thing!
It may be worth trying if you retain any contacts with photographers to write asking if they can give you an informed opinion on the photos, as they will be the best placed to judge whether or not they like what has been done. By and large, of course, they will be trying to suggest that you gain new photos with them, and, indeed, you may cover yourself by writing to them in the first place, suggesting you are considering having new photographs taken, possibly in the style of the older ones, and could they take the time to comment? Some may, and you may get to hear this way if they feel the light in the eyes is wrong, or the use of natural light doesn't work in their opinion or whatever. Fellow photographers are certainly best placed to judge these things. But they all possess favoured house styles, and their opinions, while of interest, don't need to be taken to heart. As everyone else has said, if you think the headshots capture a truth about you well, then they will work solidly for you, because they will fulfil the principal role of the headshot - which is to make people aware of what you ACTUALLY look like.
In regard to the choice of shot, I think you are right to go with the shot you have chosen; it seems the most naturally positioned and most intriguing. |
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| Reply #6: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 08/02/10 |
| | | Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to answer on here or message me - I really appreciate it! Yep - Dad's got a huge amount of camera equipment (much to mum's chagrin - they could've bought a house with the money spent) and has been studying photography for as long as I can remember. I'm actually really pleased with them. My past two photographers have been 'big names' and although the quality of the picture was superb, I never felt as though they captured me, and this was sometimes commented on by directors when they first met me. Obviously Dad knows me pretty well so I was relaxed and he knew the best angles of my face. It's the same as his. I'm just him in wig really, but that's neither here nor there. |
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| Reply #7: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 08/02/10 |
| | Hey Emily,
I think they're lovely particlarly the one you're curently using as your main pic - there's a lovely softness that comes across from them that wasn't evident in previous pics I've seen of you. Love the new haircut too!! |
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| Reply #8: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 08/02/10 |
| | | WOW! they are really good I agree I have seen worse ones donw by pros, may I suggest that your dad start up a buisness as these are really good and really natural. |
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| Reply #9: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 09/02/10 |
| | | Thanks ever so much girls - and I like my new haircut too! Even though my neck is cold now... |
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| Reply #10: Re: New Headshots | Posted : 10/02/10 |
| | | I think they are very good. Same comment as everyone else - if they look like you and are a reasonably blank canvas so they don't influence the casting director. It has given me confidence to try my amateur but very good photographer friend. I am a full time student and broke at the moment. Maybe you will give me similar feedback when i get them done. My present pic is AWFUL but (sadly) does look like me!! |
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