Head shot Question

[private]

Are there any rules in photography for head shots?

[Trader]

Hi Pat, if you Google "photo head shot rules" you'll get quite a bit of reading material and some examples of professional's work on them.

[oldwolf]

Make sure their eyes are open?

[private]

I tried to google, si snot want to wade through the pages - easier to go to the library. And oldwolf, you crack me up!!!

[cphoniball]

Remember to make sure you get their head in the shot

[KathrynWilson]

I think if you've seen a few headshots, you get the idea. There are a lot of different things you can do even with a shot as simple as a headshot, so it really just depends on what kind of thing your client wants, then you try to create that, rather than worrying about getting any specific rule right.

[Palladius]

I was just reading this on Strobist: http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/04...in-corner.html

A kind of basic, fundamental head shot set up. The long and short of it was: put them in the corner, use one wall as the background, the other as the fill card and have a diffused flash at forty-five degrees.

[autofocus]

Pat, here's a few tidbits I've learned over the years:
*Bags under eyes - shoot straight on with flat lighting
*Most people have one eye smaller than other - shoot with small eye towards the camera to make it appear larger or equal to the larger eye
*Large nose - shoot straight on and avoid shooting from side or looking down on face
*Heavy faces - side lighting somewhat slimming
*Shooting up at subject - usually not very flattering, too much neck
*Eyes placed on rule of thirds and on a slight diagonal as opposed to parallel to frame
*Focus on eyes - tack sharp

I'm sure there is much more to consider that other posters will add...Hope this helps

Vinnie

[peeperita]

Originally Posted by auto-focus

*Most people have one eye smaller than other - shoot with small eye towards the camera to make it appear larger or equal to the larger eye

this suggestion i love!