New Headshot

[fais54]

Hey, this was an impromptu shoot with my sister because she felt like taking new ones. I like how it looks in color, but I also had a B+W version. I'm wondering if the lighting, and composition looks good. Also, which version works best


7.29.11 by Stefan Faison, on Flickr

and the B+W version...


7.29.11 by Stefan Faison, on Flickr

Olympus E-520/ 14-42mm
ISO 400 / 27 mm
f/4.9 - (1/60)
Used Flash

[Doug Sundseth]

I like the color version, but I almost always prefer color, so I might not be a really useful data point.

Your lighting is getting excellent skin tones with a nice fall-off on the shadow side. You might want to move your subject a bit further away from the background to reduce or eliminate the shadow. You might also want to use a bit of powder to knock down the specular reflections on the cheekbone, but I kind of like the increased contrast you have here.

The pose works for me, and your composition is pretty solid. The only thing I might like to see is a crop a bit one way or the other from the shoulder. I don't think that significantly harms the photo though.

Very nice work.

[fais54]

Thanks I appreciate it! Is there a way to reduce the shadows in Photoshop?

[Bruce A]

I love B&W in almost any genre, but the same goes for colour. In this one, I like both, though I prefer the colour as I think her skin tones are beautiful and you have the lighting fairly right - except maybe for the background shadow as Doug stated, but that's more subjective than it is wrong. You're getting good fais54

Is there a way to reduce the shadows in Photoshop?

Try the Dodge tool - select the brush and reduce the opacity levels. Go easy until you think it's right.

[fais54]

Thanks Bruce. Thinking on it, it would have been a much better idea to move her away from the background more.

[spookie]

I agree Bruce, nice shot! I am really impressed, still learning here also, you're sis is quite the model also, very photogenic, I'm also thinking of dodging in PS to clean the shadow up, TFS!