199_Headshots

Headshots Assignment

Objectives:

1.Learn Basic Poses for commonly used Headshots in the entertainment industry & modeling.

2.Practice with a portable lighting setup.

3.Practice with digital photography and lighting ratios.

4.Learn issues in regard to client relations and working towards a common goal with a client.

Overview for Actors:

The Theater actors will receive 9x12 envelopes with proof sheets up to 4 prints. They will also receive a DVD or CD with all digital files in both .tiff and .jpeg versions.

Requirements:

1.You will use the portable flash setup provided by the SWC photo department. You may also use an additional flash if desired. This will limit you to a 3 flash setup. You may also use ambient light.

2.You will use a digital SLR to shoot this assignment.

3.You will shoot Camera RAW format for this assignment.

4.Make a test shot using the color card / gray card in each lighting situation.

5.Talk to your “client”. Collaborate with your client in order to understand his or her goals. Ask questions. Find out the client’s goals if there are any. See below.

6.You will shoot a headshot, a head & torso shot, and a full body or 3/4 shot for the “client”.

7.You will consider the guidelines listed for headshots listed below. Note: these are not the only “formulas” for headshots, but they are time proven to represent and illuminate the person well.

8.You will turn in digital contact sheets.

9.You will apply a metadata template to your images as show in the metadata handout.

10.You will digitally optimize at least 3 images using camera RAW and basic workflow in Photoshop for color. Once, you finished the .psd files in color, then, you will also do grayscale conversions for these same 3 images. Finally, you will batch-process using image processor to create .tiff and .jpeg versions of each file.

At the end of this project, you will turn in a folder on the server with the following files:

Example:

Files that get full workflow:

Truitt_A4_smith_color_1.psd

Truitt_A4_smith_color_2.psd

Truitt_A4_smith_color_3.psd

Batch Process files:

Truitt_A4_smith_color_1.tiff

Truitt_A4_smith_color_2.tiff

Truitt_A4_smith_color_3.tiff

Truitt_A4_smith_gray_1.tiff

Truitt_A4_smith_gray_2.tiff

Truitt_A4_smith_gray_3.tiff

Truitt_A4_smith_color_1.jpeg

Truitt_A4_smith_color_2.jpeg

Truitt_A4_smith_color_3.jpeg

Truitt_A4_smith_gray_1.jpeg

Truitt_A4_smith_gray_2.jpeg

Truitt_A4_smitth_gray_3.jpeg

11.You will print at least 3 ink jet prints from your best shots.

12.You will turn in a self-evaluation.

13.All your shots including non-optimized shots will be submitted on the 199 class server.

Extra Credit:

You may earn 2 points extra for each additional shot that you process as listed above, up to 5 shots. Thus, you can earn a total of 10 points extra credit.

Information on Headshots:

What is a headshot? What is a headshot for?

A headshot is, in most cases, an 8"x10" photo taken of a model or actor. A headshot commonly encompasses a subject's head and shoulders, with the focus being almost completely on the subject's face. However, some "headshots" can often include as much as 3/4 of the subject's body (called a "three quarter" shot).

An 8"x10" headshot is essentially "a business card for actors" which is presented to casting directors who decide whether a person has the right "look" for a particular part for a role in a movie, tv show, or theatrical part. It is not a "glamour shot".

A good headshot is intended to market a person "as they are" (you should look your age, for example), but in as positive light as possible, accentuating the subject's best qualities. A good headshot will often provide the viewer with a glimpse into the person's character, or show their potential for a particular role a casting director is looking to fill.

A headshot is almost 100% of the time the absolute only thing a casting director has to judge an actor or model by. If the headshot isn't good and doesn’t grab their attention in about 1/2 of a second, the actor will get passed over without a second chance or a second thought.

What makes a good headshot?

While there is no magic formula to creating a perfect headshot, and there are exceptions to every "rule", many of the best headshots have the same things in common...

A good headshot will focus on the subject and only include what is necessary in the photo to show a casting director that you have potential for a part. Nothing in the photo (jewelry, clothing, hairstyle, background, props, etc) will distract the viewer from the main point of interest.

A good headshot will be an accurate and realistic representation of the subject. It won't make you look younger. It won't make you look like someone else.

A good headshot will generally "invite" the viewer in and make them want to know more about the subject. This can be done through a combination of lighting, composition, and expression.

A good headshot will avoid overly dramatic (shadowed) lighting. Good headshots are not intended as "fashion shots". A photo can work perfectly as a fashion shot, but fail miserably as a headshot.

The two types of headshots:

There are two types of headshots. Commercial headshots and Theatrical headshots.

A commercial headshot is typically warm and friendly and often (but not always) shows the actor smiling. Commercial headshots are primarily used for commercial related projects. This is more common for models.

Theatrical headshots are generally more "serious" and have a less "commercial" look & feel. Actors typically take on a more focused and serious tone and are not smiling in theatrical headshots. Sometimes you can have slightly more dramatic lighting such as 2-2.5 stops difference in your light ratios between main and fill.

Photographic Considerations for Headshots:

1. Cropping

•Try to have your subject close or touching 3-4 sides of the picture frame.

•Contemporary Headshots tend to like a tight crop.

•It is common to even crop part of the top of the head, but ask your client if this appeals to him or her. If you are trying to show off the hair, then don’t crop so tightly to the head.

2. Point of View

•Typically, you want to look slightly down on your subject. It is common to have the person sitting, while you are standing. By looking slightly down, it helps to emphasize the chin line as long as the person looks up at you. Look and see if you are succeeding in giving the person a good chin line.

3. Poses

•The most common pose involves have the person ¾ towards the camera. This will turn one shoulder towards the camera.

•Consider using a posing table or board that will allow the subject to lean on with the forward arm.

•If you are doing a frontal shot, then consider having a arm or leg cross the front of the body to break up the composition more.

4. Gaze

•Have the person looking at the camera. This will help bring out their character.

5. Aperture – Depth of field

•Usually, it is best to use around f-8 for headshots. Make sure the critical plan of focus in on about the bridge of the person’s nose so that the face is in focus along with the ears.

•You may allow the hair to go out of focus depending on the aesthetic.

•You typically want the background to go out of focus.

•If looking down at the subject on a steeper angle, you can consider using closer to f-4 to allow the body to go out of focus. This is more of a contemporary aesthetic.

5. Backgrounds

•Avoid a distracting background.

•Typically, a classic multi-tone, bluish-gray backdrop like the one shown in class works well. It provides a variety of tones to place behind the subject without any noticeable objects.

•Typically, you want the hair to stand out. If you have a dark hair person, then you may consider extra lighting on the backdrop in order to make the hair standout.

•Avoid casting a shadow of the person onto the backdrop. This can be done with a third flash on the backdrop at low power, or by using bounce flash.

6. Light Ratios

•Avoid any harsh shadows. Illuminate the subject, especially his or her face.

•Most headshots will use a 1-1.5 stop difference between highlight and shadow side. This is commonly what we call a 1:2 ratio.

•Make sure you have good detail in highlights and shadows.

7. Other

•Avoid reflective materials such as jewelry.

•Avoid glasses if possible. If shooting glasses, avoid having lights directly in front of the subject that can show up as reflections on the glasses.

•Tell your subject to wear solid color is possible.

•Tell your subject to wear make-up if possible to reduce reflective highlights on skin.

Client Preparation for Headshots:

Physical preparation:

Before you get your headshots done, be sure to examine your face, eyebrows, and hairstyle to determine if any minor adjustments may help. I'm not suggesting cosmetic surgery! I'm talking about plucking your eyebrows or possibly getting your hair trimmed.

Be sure to take care of all hair removal prior to a shoot, but leave at least 2-3 days between when you wax/shave any sensitive areas and your shoot date. This time is necessary to allow for any irritation to disappear before your shoot.

Although the focus will be on your face, take care of your nails in case they end up in the shot. Be sure that your nails are neat and well maintained. If you plan on posing barefoot, be sure your feet and toes are in good condition.

If you plan on showing your smile, be sure that your teeth are ready for prime-time. If your teeth are discolored, you may want to consider having them cleaned/whitened.

72 HOURS BEFORE YOUR SHOOT

Be sure you have worked out all the necessary details about your shoot. You should know where you're supposed to go, the easiest & fastest way to get there, and what you need to do to prepare for your shoot.

Please be sure that you know how to get to the location where you are shooting. If you are working with a make-up artist, please be sure that they are aware of these directions as well.

You should also have a good idea of what items you are going to bring to your shoot.

24-48 HOURS BEFORE YOUR SHOOT

Eat healthy. Drink plenty of water. Avoid fatty, greasy, and salty foods prior to shooting. Avoid heavy exposure to the sun. Please avoid alcohol or anything that will make you puffy or bloated. Also avoid anything that may stain your teeth.

Assemble what you'll need at least the night prior to your appointment so you are not rushing around in the time before leaving for your shoot.

THE DAY OF YOUR SHOOT

Please eat a light meal before you leave. Food is fuel and if you skip your meals before shooting, chances are you'll run out of energy, lose focus, or become irritable. None of which will improve your photos.

Please bring bottled water, snacks, and anything else necessary to keep you going, but avoid bringing anything that will stain your teeth.

What to wear at a headshots shoot:

Clothes should be neat, clean (free of stains, lint, hair), and free of wrinkles.

I recommend solid color clothing, with no polka dots, no wild prints, and no distracting stripes. Clothing of this type can have a tendency to distract the viewer from the most important subject in your photos, you. Pastel colors are typically not recommended. Neither is white or black, but more importantly, you should avoid anything that clashes with your skin tone. Colors that compliment your skin tone are appropriate. If you feel you look really good in something, even if it doesn't abide by "the rules", bring it.

Avoid dressing in "character". Be you.

What not to wear for your headshots shoot:

Avoid wearing distracting jewelry or anything that may distract the viewer from your face.

Avoid wearing "costumes". Your skills as an actor should allow you to suggest a part without "wearing" a part.