1st Headshot - Critique Please

[KellieLass]

Thanks for looking......
EXIF:
Canon EOS Rebel T1i 1/60s
Focal Length: 25.0mm f/4.0
(35mm Equivalent: 57mm) ISO:400

[Benji]

Everyone thinks the head shot is easy until they actually do one!

Your white balance, focus, exposure and 45° turn of her torso are excellent, and her expression is wonderful. Critique:

1. The black background is very uninteresting and out of key with her white blouse.
2. The chair back is distracting. Seating her on a short stool prevents this.
3. You need a hair light to brighten up her dark hair and make it look prettier.
4. Her arms should have been projected slightly forward. That way she will lose the round shouldered look.
5. She is flat lit. Flat lighting is usually rather uninteresting.
6. I usually use an ISO of 100 and a lens focal length of around 80 to 105mm.


Benji

[vjhoward]

Kellie - what was your light setup?

I think Benji hit some really good point (things I need to remember when I am doing a portrait shoot). Also, it looks like you could do some minor post processing to eliminate some runaway hair strands. Of course, it could just be my bleary eyed late Sunday night, not ready for Monday morning, review...

Other than that, nice start on the headshots. Keep shooting and shoot a lot!

[kleidascope]

that hint of the chair is distracting.

[P3Farmgal]

It seems like you took the picture from a bit above her? This tends to widen the forehead and narrow the chin..make sure that she likes that perspective.
Also can make someone look a little submissive which may not be suitable for an executive woman.
If it is a professional headshot (for her business, etc) she may also want any skin blemishes tidied up.

Nice job first shot!!

[SusanH1970]

Agreed with most of the previous CC. Benji did give you some good pointers, but I will respectfully disagree with him on the white balance - her skin is really red. The crop is a bit awkward, I'd have liked to see this shot in portrait orientation rather than landscape. Shooting at 25mm is a rather wide angle for a headshot/portrait - you tend to get that odd distortion, making what's closest to the camera (her nose) look bigger than it should and what's furthest from the camera (her shoulders) look a but shrunken - kind of a "bobblehead", LOL (as Benji mentioned, shooting at the longer focal length is much more flattering). Otherwise, not bad at all! Keep shooting and posting, you're off to a very good start.

OMG, did I just agree with Benji?

[candleman]

Originally Posted by Benji

Everyone thinks the head shot is easy until they actually do one!

Your white balance, focus, exposure and 45° turn of her torso are excellent, and her expression is wonderful. Critique:

1. The black background is very uninteresting and out of key with her white blouse.
2. The chair back is distracting. Seating her on a short stool prevents this.
3. You need a hair light to brighten up her dark hair and make it look prettier.
4. Her arms should have been projected slightly forward. That way she will lose the round shouldered look.
5. She is flat lit. Flat lighting is usually rather uninteresting.
6. ......lens focal length of around 80 to 105mm.


Benji

THAT

plus,
i'd remove the pinpoint of light in her pupil from the pop-up flash.. one catchlight is best for "clean" eyes.

too much space around her (especialy on the left..
i would have turned to portrait orientation (vertical)
then you get less space around the sides, and you done have to chop her off awkwardly along the chest like that.
maybe its just me.. i dont like chopping through the bust line like that.
but i'm strange

other than those points.. its a great shot.. brilliant start and keep em' coming.
you did do very well for a first time

[KellieLass]

I will work on all the CC. I appreciate yall taking the time to so look at my shot. I'll keep them coming!

[ML Photography]

You already received some awesome advices. I would have appreciated more sharpness too, especially the focus in the eyes.