PictureCorrect.com: Headshot Tips for Photographers and Models

Whether you’re an actor, a yoga teacher, or a CEO, a decent headshot is an essential marketing tool in your professional arsenal, one that could make the difference between landing a gig or not. While it may seem like the simplest of photography tasks (it’s only the head after all), I’ve learned through my many years as a professional photographer in Hong Kong that taking the perfect headshot isn’t as easy as it looks.

Headshot Tips

Here are some tips I’ve gleaned for both the photographer and the photographed. Let’s start with the latter:

Headshot Tips for the Model

Check your hair and clothing

Check yourself before you wreck yourself

It probably goes without saying, but check yourself in the mirror before you sit down (or stand up) for your headshot. If you’ve never met the photographer in person before, s/he won’t know you don’t normally wear your hair messy and your shirt untucked.

Dress neutrally

Dress neutrally

Patterns and stripes can look weird on screens, so it’s best to stick to solid, neutral colors for your professional headshot. Also, don’t be tempted to go too “fashion forward” unless that’s part of your job. Classic style will last you a lot longer than the latest trend.

Use less makeup

Less is more with makeup

Similarly, don’t go overboard with the makeup. A lot can be done with lighting and retouching to make your skin flawless and your features pop, so there’s no need to pile it on like you’re heading to the Oscars. For a business headshot you want to look like yourself on your best day. If you normally wear bold lipstick, that’s fine. Just don’t go for something that’ll make you look like a different person.

Head forward, chin down

Head forward, chin down

A strong jaw accentuates the overall shape of the face, but when people stand or sit naturally the chin can sometimes disappear into the neck. Try pushing your head forward and chin down slightly. This will help extend the jawline and pull the skin taut around your face to reveal more defined bone structure. Ultimately, however, listen to the directions of your photographer.

Headshot Tips for the Photographer

Help your subject relax

Help your subject relax

Most people dislike having their photograph taken and feel nervous about getting professional headshots. I find a good way to combat this is to meet your subject in person, or at least talk to them on the phone, before the session. As well as making your client feel more at home with you, it’ll give you the chance to find out exactly what kind of portrait they’re after, be it super professional, fun, or quirky.

Use the right background

Backgrounds matter

Although the focal point of any good headshot is obviously the face, don’t neglect the background when setting up. Plain or highly bokeh backgrounds usually work best, but you may want to consider showing more context for your subject’s career, whether they are an international artist, a Michelin star chef, or a CEO. Watch for shadows if your subject is standing close to a wall or a screen, as this will make the photo look less professional.

Focus on the eyes

It’s all about the eyes

The most important part of any headshot is the eyes, so make sure they’re crisp, sharp, and dynamic. Capturing the eyes well will establish a strong connection between the photograph and the viewer. A good way to get “fresh eyes” is to ask a subject to look away and then back into the lens right as you take the shot.

Try different angles

Experiment with angles

For closeup photographs, such as corporate headshots, angles are really important. A top-down angle will make the eyes appear larger and the face more delicate, whereas shooting from the bottom up can make someone appear taller and more dominant. Watch out for the dreaded double chin if choosing the latter, though! Ultimately, try to find your subject’s most attractive angle by paying close attention to all their features, when each looks its best, and how they play off each other. Tiny adjustments in angle can make a huge difference.

Lighting is key

Lighting is key

Flawless skin is very important for head shots, and while a lot can be done with retouching in post-production, lighting is your best friend here. Using diffused light all around the head will bring definition to the shape of the face and hide any wrinkles and blemishes. Leaving the underneath of the face unlit, however, will give a more striking, rugged shot, sometimes preferred by men. Also don’t be afraid to shoot outside. Natural light will give a lovely genuine feel, which is great if that’s the look your subject is after.

Chat with the model

Chat a lot

Finally, expression is everything when it comes to taking a great headshot. It’s your job to find the most natural expressions of your subject and capture a look that’s unique to them. I find the easiest way to do this is just to talk a lot. Ask them serious questions, crack jokes, give them direction, but most importantly, constantly reassure them that they’re doing it right. If someone feels they’re looking good and you’re getting the results you want, they’ll naturally relax and be themselves.

About the Author
Ali Ghorbani (otherwise known as, Ali G) is a luxury wedding, events, corporate and celebrity photographer based in Hong Kong. You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

Go to full article: Headshot Tips for Photographers and Models

What are your thoughts on this article? Join the discussion on Facebook

PictureCorrect subscribers can also learn more today with our #1 bestseller: The Photography Tutorial eBook

The post Headshot Tips for Photographers and Models appeared first on PictureCorrect.

from PictureCorrect http://ift.tt/2eJD4Dd
via IFTTT

Read More

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Lunar View, Solar Eclipse

via APOD http://ift.tt/2wHTJRS

Read More

PictureCorrect.com: Interview with an Outdoor Lifestyle Photographer: Stephen Matera

Stephen Matera is an outdoor adventure, sports, and lifestyle photographer who has worked with some of the world’s leading outdoor manufacturers and publishers. Aside from taking a few workshops over two decades ago, Matera is self-taught. He has been working as a photographer for over 22 years, 12 of them full-time.

We talked to him about his favorite things to shoot, his go-to photography tools, and tips and tricks he learned along the way in our latest Interview with a Photographer.

Where do you call home?

Stephen Matera: Seattle. Aka the Pacific Northwet (not a typo!)

CC: How would you define your style as a photographer?

SM: I consider myself a mountain sports, lifestyle, and landscape photographer. I started as a landscape photographer and that has heavily influenced my sports and lifestyle work. My landscape eye for composition and lighting crosses over into my sports and lifestyle images.

CC: Where is your favorite place or thing to shoot?

SM: It’s really tough to pick one place, but my favorite subjects to shoot are mountains or trees. And we have so much of that to shoot here in the Northwest.

I’m really lucky because I get pet paid to travel. For work I’ve been all over the United States including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Utah, Arizona….you get the idea. I’ve also been to Iceland, Mexico, and New Zealand. So many places I’ve explored because of photography. I still get giddy sometimes when I’m shooting.

CC: What camera(s) and lenses do you use?

SM: I’m in the process of switching from Canon to Sony. So I have a mixed bag but my primary camera body is the Sony a7rII. I also have the a6300 and still occasionally shoot with my Canon 5D III. I’m still using my Canon glass.

My favorite lenses are the 17-35 f4, 24-105 f4, and 70-200 f4.

CC: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to get “the shot”?

SM: I can’t talk about that. The emotional scars are still fresh.

CC: Who has inspired you as a photographer?

SM: For my landscape work, a Northwest photographer, Pat O’Hara, was a big inspiration. He has an eye for detail that is incredible. Galen Rowell was great as well for his mix of landscape and adventure imagery.

CC: What advice would you tell an aspiring photographer?

SM: There is so much that I can say here but of course the obvious answer is to shoot what you are passionate about. For many photographers, that’s the outdoors. And that may end up being where you earn your living, or it may not. But it will teach you how to be a photographer, and it will teach you how to be creative and resourceful, both in shooting and in running your business.

I think there’s a natural progression to start as a landscape or outdoor sports photographer then move towards other subjects. I’m in that process as I’ve found other interests to shoot and apply what I’ve learned shooting outdoor sports and landscape images.

CC: Can you share any photographic resources that you use?

SM: I like to read photo blogs like planet5D, learningvideo.com, fstoppers, and others. It’s a good way to keep up on the industry and what other photographers are up to.

CC: How has photography shaped your day-to-day?

SM: It’s pretty much all consuming! I find it funny when people ask me what I do in my free time. My first response is “I’m a freelance photographer, I don’t have free time.” But in reality, when I have free time, I take photos for myself, or of my kids.

I’m a photographer not because it’s a way to earn a living but because I really love to make images, and I would (and do) do it even when I’m not being paid to do it.

CC: Any exciting photographic events in coming up you’d like to share?

SM: I’ll be leading a photo workshop in Crested Butte in Colorado this fall. I haven’t officially posted it on my site yet but if you’re interested, shoot me an email for details.

To see more of Stephen’s work, go to: www.materaphoto.com

About Cotton Carrier:
Cotton Camera Carrier Systems designs high-quality holsters and harnesses that are functional and reliable in all situations. In July 2017, they introduced the new G3 Camera Harness line for a more comfortable fit to secure cameras without sacrificing mobility.

Andy Cotton started his company to design a camera-carrying solution that was comfortable, secure, and accessible – without moving parts that could fail, jam, or break. As a former special  effects supervisor in the film industry for over 26 years, he understands the need for durable, reliable gear.

Go to full article: Interview with an Outdoor Lifestyle Photographer: Stephen Matera

What are your thoughts on this article? Join the discussion on Facebook

PictureCorrect subscribers can also learn more today with our #1 bestseller: The Photography Tutorial eBook

The post Interview with an Outdoor Lifestyle Photographer: Stephen Matera appeared first on PictureCorrect.

from PictureCorrect http://ift.tt/2emI93S
via IFTTT

Read More

PictureCorrect.com: How to Fake Sun Flare in Your Photos

There is a lot of lens technology aimed at suppressing flare and ghosting. But at times, a bit of sun flare can actually add that extra punch to a photo. You can easily create sun flare when the sun is in the frame. But what if you’re shooting in an urban environment with no possible way to include a natural sun flare? You create your own:

Ingredients for Making Your Own Sun Flare

• Profoto B2
• 1/2 CTO gel
• fast lens
• radio trigger for the B2

Fake Sun Flare Trick

The trick here is simple. Vanessa Joy uses the Profoto B2 with the 1/2 CTO gel to produce light that looks like the sun. She positions the light behind the subjects at an angle (rather than directly behind them). This creates the sort of flare you would get if you were shooting against the sun. Make sure that the light is in a lower position, just as the sun would be positioned at the golden hour.

Settings

Meter for the scene without taking into consideration the B2/strobe. Just take into account the ambient light. Next, turn on the radio trigger, set it to TTL / auto mode, and take some test shots.

Next, switch to manual mode and bump up the power on the B2/strobe by about two stops. The power of the strobe will be overpowering the ambient light. In the process it’s possible to capture beautiful flare.

Have you tried this technique?

Go to full article: How to Fake Sun Flare in Your Photos

What are your thoughts on this article? Join the discussion on Facebook

PictureCorrect subscribers can also learn more today with our #1 bestseller: The Photography Tutorial eBook

The post How to Fake Sun Flare in Your Photos appeared first on PictureCorrect.

from PictureCorrect http://ift.tt/2glTdz2
via IFTTT

Read More

PictureCorrect.com: 5 Ways to Capture Motion in Photography

Motion can give an image drive, energy, and a sense of added dimension. Photographer Ted Forbes uses a combination of theory, technique, and a brief foray into photographic history to explore motion and how to “capture” it. Whether you’re a beginner or an old salt, this tutorial will heighten your awareness of how you use motion, and if you’re the theoretical type, push the limits of how you think about it:

Beginning photographers often rely on luck, a high volume of shots, and post-production corrections to get good photographs. While this is certainly one way to go about things, studying key concepts such as motion in the work of others can help transform your photography from happenstance to a deliberate art form.

1. Motion Blur

While you’re probably well-acquainted with using a slow shutter speed, have you considered going for blurred effects such as the one below in this photograph by Ernst Hass?

2. Implied Motion

Using a fast shutter speed is also quite common, yet to make it deliberate and not just luck takes some planning and preparation. In these shots, motion is implied by the action or the gesture or the activity that’s going on, rather than by blur, and exactly which gesture you capture can make or break the shot.

“The gesture is one of the single most important things that can imply motion.”

3. Multiple Exposures

This next technique takes a lot of work and a decent knowledge of post-processing—taking multiple shots very quickly as an action takes place and then combining them into a single image showing the complete action. The forerunners in this technique influenced the creation of motion pictures. The photo below is by Étienne-Jules Marey, who developed a “chronophotographic gun” in 1882 that was capable of taking 12 consecutive frames a second, with all the frames recorded on the same picture! These days we use multiple exposures for the same effect, but how handy it would be if they all showed up on the same image!

4. Stop Action

From water droplets to breaking glass, stop action photography has become quite popular in recent years, and as strobe technology develops more and more is possible. The image below by Harold Edgerton is one of the more classic shots. Can you imagine getting a stop action shot this perfect? (Don’t worry if you don’t manage it—Edgerton created strobe light equipment that could flash up to 120 times a second!)

5. Super Long Exposures

And finally, the mind-bending idea of implying motion through photographing a scene over super-long exposures. A far more subtle art, this technique uses suggestion and implication instead of a direct depiction. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you care to think of the implications, it’s quite fascinating. This shot, by Hiroshi Sugimoto, of a movie theater over a full day of time has all of the action blurred into white and/or erased by time.

No matter which form of motion-capture inspires you the most, deliberately capturing motion (instead of depending on luck and post-processing) can go a long way toward improving your photography.

What’s your favorite way of capturing motion?

Go to full article: 5 Ways to Capture Motion in Photography

What are your thoughts on this article? Join the discussion on Facebook

PictureCorrect subscribers can also learn more today with our #1 bestseller: The Photography Tutorial eBook

The post 5 Ways to Capture Motion in Photography appeared first on PictureCorrect.

from PictureCorrect http://ift.tt/2wjssEp
via IFTTT

Read More

PictureCorrect.com: Photography: What Are You Trying To Say Here?

Really, when you’re taking a picture what are you trying to communicate?

Sometimes you’re just trying to record events. “This is me standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.” “Here we are at Niagara Falls.” Other times it’s the beauty of nature or a person that you’re attempting to show.

That said, there’s a great deal of difference between a wedding picture of a bride standing straight as a board facing the camera with direct light and her feet cropped off by the camera and a photo of a bride standing on stone steps with a pillar to her side, her train trailing off in the same direction that she’s looking. And low sunlight casting its warm glow over everything.

Photo captured by PictureSocial member Vavinov Alex

Both are pictures of the bride. One says “Yeah, I got married, so what?!” The other speaks of love and eternity. Here’s the kicker, though. Maybe what you want to communicate is the “So, what?” idea. If you’re going to do that, you can shoot funny or serious, angry or sad. Have her in a kitchen chair with a bottle (or can) of cheap beer.

Do you want to take a picture of your subject—in this case a person—standing rigidly in front of the place visited? Or could you make it a little more interesting by somehow getting the person involved? Use a wide angle lens to show the kids looking out over Niagara Falls or your mom gazing up at the Eiffel Tower.

Or when you’re at the ball game use that same wide angle lens to show your seven year old hanging on the fence worrying at the final hour (OK—“final minute”). In this way, with the youngster, you can communicate the sadness of a loss or the exhilaration of a win. Timing and planning can be everything with pictures like this. It may take trying at ten ball games to get the shot you want. But if you know what you want to communicate you’ll be thinking how to position yourself at that little league game so that you get that perfect picture that really says it.

Back to the travelogue. Remember that you very likely are going to show these pictures of France or Bali or Niagara Falls to at least one or two friends. Really. If you’re taking pictures, then please show them even if it is on Facebook. If you like where you went it may inspire someone else to go there or at least dream of going there. And even that is worth a good picture. If you liked where you were then make the pictures show it. If it was hot and dreary, well, how can you show this? If you’re not sure then Google “make a photo look hot and dreary”. Then if I decide to go there I will make sure to bring a hat or go in the cooler season. Or both. Let the picture communicate what the experience was. Don’t just put a head in the picture and then have to tell the story. It’s OK to tell the story if the picture is also doing the same. It’s like in a movie, where the set, music, and dialogue all each on their own convey a mood.

Taking a minute before you start taking the picture or even planning it a bit may feel silly. You may think, “I’m not a professional and they’re not that important.” But honestly what you have to say is important. You can take a picture on the beach with the sun at its zenith, faces in shadow with hats, sunglasses and eyes squinting or you can go have dinner and a drink, relax for a few hours, and come back and take some really beautiful pictures in the evening. Take a picture of your wife or husband looking at the sunset. Not at the camera. If it’s a low warm light, it will flatter the person. Your friends who see the picture when you get back will know that it was taken at sunset even if they don’t see the sun—I promise.

If you’re shooting sports or some activity with lots of motion, do you want to show the motion and speed or do you want to stop it dead? You will have to know the settings on your camera to create these different effects. Do you want blur or no blur? You’re going to have to figure out some settings on your camera as they will be different for each. You can take the shots of the football game or soccer match using program mode and some may come out OK, but if you really want to freeze the motion or show a blur of speed then you’ll have to use shutter priority and aperture priority settings. Most cameras have these. Again figure out what you want to ‘say’. Try them. Experiment.

The first time you use aperture priority you may find that the shutter speed is too slow and everything is so blurry that all the shots are trash. Adjust accordingly for next time. Edison made hundreds of light bulbs before he got it right. But if that’s what you’re trying to communicate then work at it until you get it right. I’ll listen.

This is another reason I suggest you take pictures of children from low down; go to their eye level or body level. This communicates an entirely different ‘feel’ than taking a shot from three feet up and them with their necks craned looking up at you. Get down to their level and take a picture of the child involved in something. Playing with his or her toys or making something. Hands dirty, face a mess. You will often like these more than the pictures that you get in the studio with everyone sitting all proper like. But again it’s what you desire to communicate or say with your picture.

It is your communication. The more you practice the better I will understand it.

Good luck and have fun with it!

About the Author:
Martin writes for photo-photo.com and is based in Calgary, Alberta.

Go to full article: Photography: What Are You Trying To Say Here?

What are your thoughts on this article? Join the discussion on Facebook

PictureCorrect subscribers can also learn more today with our #1 bestseller: The Photography Tutorial eBook

The post Photography: What Are You Trying To Say Here? appeared first on PictureCorrect.

from PictureCorrect http://ift.tt/2go6FWJ
via IFTTT

Read More

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Saturn in Blue and Gold

via APOD http://ift.tt/2wLbroe

Read More

PictureCorrect.com: Interesting Photo of the Day: Portrait in a Bathroom Studio

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; that’s what they say. theverycuriousman shows his creativity by working under some rather unusual circumstances. In a makeshift bathroom studio, with his 24–70mm lens and an aperture of f/2.8, he uses an app controlled LED light wand as the only source of light. Photographers have been using light sticks for quite a few years, but seldom do we come across a gem that shines in the darkness:

Portrait in a Bathroom Studio by theverycuriousman (Via Reddit. Click image to see full size.)

Equipment & Settings

• Canon 5D Mark II
• 24–70mm lens
• f/2.8
• 1/100 of a second
• ISO 500
• Yongnuo YN360 light stick

For a photo taken in the bathroom with a rather cheap light stick, the result is quite stunning.

Go to full article: Interesting Photo of the Day: Portrait in a Bathroom Studio

What are your thoughts on this article? Join the discussion on Facebook

PictureCorrect subscribers can also learn more today with our #1 bestseller: The Photography Tutorial eBook

The post Interesting Photo of the Day: Portrait in a Bathroom Studio appeared first on PictureCorrect.

from PictureCorrect http://ift.tt/2xKOUEw
via IFTTT

Read More

PictureCorrect.com: 10 Fun Photography Tricks Anyone Can Do

There’s so much you can do with a little bit of imagination and a camera. COOPH proves this again and again with their simple tips for creating awesomely unique images. And, they’ve released another video with even more great ideas. It’s time to get creative using just a few everyday items you can find around your home:

1. Make Your Own Glitter

This one’s super easy. Just cut up some tinfoil into little squares (or circles, or triangles, whatever you want) and make your own shiny confetti. Sprinkle it over someone as you take their picture to give the image a snowy look.

2. Go Close (Really, Really Close)

Shoot macro with a magnifying glass.

3. Hack Your Flash

This one puts your arts and crafts skills to the test. Make your own little hood for the flash with some black construction paper or cardboard. Give it two front flaps that the flash has to shoot through so you can limit and control the amount of light coming through.

4. Try an Underwater Selfie

Use a waterproof camera, like the GoPro HERO5, and a fresh micro SD card for this trick. Get a big bowl or tank of water and place it in a splash-safe area. Attach the camera to a selfie stick and set the burst mode to 30 frames per second. Dip the camera into the water as you shoot to get a new selfie perspective.

5. Shoot with Fruit

Arrange some fruit in the bottom of your shower or sink. Use a high shutter speed and drop a glassful of water on the fruit.

6. Create Lens Flare

Add a vintage look to the picture by creating your own lens flare. Just hold a lighter or little flashlight up to the side of the lens as you shoot. Be careful not to burn yourself or your equipment!

7. Warp the Perspective

Find something with distinct line patterns (paper, wallpaper, curtains) to use as your backdrop. Put a full glass of water in front of it and see the perspective change.

8. Fake the Background

Have kids? Or maybe you still have your own collection of toys? Find some nice scenic pictures in a book or on posters and set the toy figurines in front of the picture of your choosing.

9. Shoot Through Water Droplets

Choose your subject—here, they use candy. Set a Plexiglass sheet over the subject and add little droplets of water over it. Get up high and shoot down through the Plexiglass and water into the subject.

10. Remember to Back Up

Not really a trick, but definitely a wise tip. Always create a backup of your images. Save them to an external hard drive and check the results.

For more advanced photo tricks: The Photography Tricks Chapters

Go to full article: 10 Fun Photography Tricks Anyone Can Do

What are your thoughts on this article? Join the discussion on Facebook

PictureCorrect subscribers can also learn more today with our #1 bestseller: The Photography Tutorial eBook

The post 10 Fun Photography Tricks Anyone Can Do appeared first on PictureCorrect.

from PictureCorrect http://ift.tt/2iEl4yJ
via IFTTT

Read More