Headshots are photographs that put a clear focus on a subjects face and give the viewer

Headshot originated in 1839 with Robert Cornelius when he started taking selfies.

In 1854, André-Adolphe-Eugène Disdéri came up with a more affordable process of photographic portraiture by cutting up full-sized plates into 4 separate small portraits. The photos would later be known as Carte-de-visite, or visiting cards and are thought to be the first business cards.

In modern times, headshots are usually used for methods of identification and professions like acting or music for marketing purposes.

Most of the time headshots implement a lot of negative space like a white background to remove all other focus other than the subject.

These images are from my Henry Mullins Photoshoot.

My Intention with this shoot was to recreate the headshots Mullins used to create his Carte-de-visite’s and Diamond Cameos. With editing I will make my images look like his.

Camera Settings:

Green coloured:

These photos are rated 4 – 5 on the star rating, and are flagged meaning I believe they had a decent outcome.

These matched the angles I would like to use for my Diamond Cameos. Additionally the composition of these image came out well, as the contrast of shadows makes a good tonal effect for that vintage look I am going for.

Red coloured:

These photos aren’t rated as they did not conform to the idea I was going for. Some weren’t taken properly, as they were over exposed or too dimly lit.

These were unable to be used, due to not matching what I was going for. This was because I did not think they had the same angle types I was looking for with my work.

Best Photos:

Introduction- The term “headshot” or “head shot” just means that the portrait photo is cropped somewhere in the middle torso – so that the focus is on your face. A headshot is a form of digital photography that focuses solely on a person’s face. The subject’s face should be the main focus, and the framing should be done in a way that draws attention to the eyes and facial expressions.

Flash Lighting

In photography, flash lighting refers to either built-in flash units or devices that are external from the photographer’s camera that when used emit a strong artificial light for a designated period to light up a background or subject.

Shutter speed 1/200, ISO 200, flash power 1/4-1/32. You may have to adjust your flash setting up and down depending on the ambient light in the room. Once you are getting close to a correct exposure, leave it alone and only adjust your aperture.

Continuous Lighting

Continuous lighting, such as LED panels, fluorescent tubes, or tungsten bulbs, is any source of light that stays on constantly. It has some advantages over flash lighting, like allowing you to see the effect of the light on your subject and background before you take the shot.

ISO: 400-1600 – depending on how many light sources Exposure: Manual 1/60-1/125 shutter-speed > f/4-f/8 aperture

Check settings before shooting.

What is the difference between flash and continuous lighting?

Flash offers more power and depth of field and is generally preferred by professional photography. Continuous can serve for both video and photo but they are generally less powerful but they give you more options when used with smartphones.

The deadpan aesthetic

The deadpan aesthetics is considered a technically perfect photograph which depicts a landscape, still life or a person by a direct centred composition. The photographs usually have a single central theme (a mining tower, face, mound of clay, etc.), the background is usually unimportant (which does not apply for more sociologically oriented concepts), ignored or is neutral and sterile.

Deadpan photography is a cool, detached, and unemotional presentation and, when used in a series, usually follows a pre-defined set of compositional and lighting rules.

Passport Photos

There are very strict instruction as to taking your passport/id pictures. These are:

• eyes must be open and clearly visible, with no flash reflections and no ‘red eye’
• facial expression must be neutral (neither frowning nor smiling), with the mouth closed
• photos must show both edges of the face clearly
• photos must show a full front view of face and shoulders, squared to the camera 
• the face and shoulder image must be centred in the photo; the subject must not be looking over one shoulder (portrait style), or tilting their head to one side or backwards or forwards
• there must be no hair across the eyes
• hats or head coverings are not permitted except when worn for religious reasons and only if the full facial features are clearly visible
• photos with shadows on the face are unacceptable
• photos must reflect/represent natural skin tone

Typologies

The study of or study based on types. Its a system used for putting things into groups according to how they are similar. An example of a typology would be classification such as by age and health: young-healthy, young-sick, old-healthy, old-sick. Typological theorizing is the development of theories about configurations of variables that constitute theoretical types.

Upclose

 The close-up shot is the best way to show detail. 

Bruce Gilden’s compositions are renowned for their dramatic use of light and shadow, reminiscent of Alex Webb, another master of color and complex light. Unlike Webb, however, Gilden often employs a flash, highlighting the minute details of his subjects and further enhancing the rawness of his photos.

A head shot or headshot is a modern portrait in which the focus is on the person. The term is applied usually for professional profile images on social media, images used on online dating profiles etc.

A great headshot should include the following:

• Simple background.
• A clear photo of one person.
• Good expression.
• Proper attire.
• Minimal distractions.
• Should reflect how you look currently.
• Proper cropping of the photo.
• Flattering poses.

Flash lighting

Flash photography is using an artificial light source to light a person or a scene whether you want to give that scene a different look or you have to out of necessity.

With your camera set to manual, set the shutter speed around 1/125sec to 1/250sec depending on your camera’s flash sync speed. ISO 320, aperture f/5.6, daylight white balance. For flattering results without much distortion use a short telephone lens or a zoom setting from 70-85mm.

A flash photograph can vary the appearance of a subject by controlling the intensity, position and distribution of light coming from a flash.

Continuous lighting

Camera settings (continuous lighting)
Tripod: recommended to avoid camera shake
Manual exposure mode
White balance: tungsten light (3200K)
ISO: 400-1600 – depending on how many light sources
Exposure: Manual 1/60-1/125 shutter-speed > f/4-f/8 aperture
– check settings before shooting
Focal length: 50mm portrait lens

The deadpan aesthetic

The origins of the word “Deadpan”  can be traced to 1927 when Vanity Fair Magazine compounded the words dead and pan, a slang word for a face, and used it as a noun. In 1928 the New York Times used it as adjective to describe the work of Buster Keaton.

In summary Deadpan photography is a cool, detached, and unemotional presentation and, when used in a series, usually follows a pre-defined set of compositional and lighting rules.

The deadpan aesthetics is considered a technically perfect photograph which depicts a landscape, still life or a person by a direct centred composition. The photographs usually have a single central theme (a mining tower, face, mound of clay, etc.), the background is usually unimportant (which does not apply for more sociologically oriented concepts), ignored or is neutral and sterile.

Passport Photos

The UK government has a specific list on what passports must include, this can be found on the UK government website.

FACE:

• eyes must be open and clearly visible, with no flash reflections and no ‘red eye’
• facial expression must be neutral (neither frowning nor smiling), with the mouth closed
• photos must show both edges of the face clearly
• photos must show a full front view of face and shoulders, squared to the camera 
• the face and shoulder image must be centred in the photo; the subject must not be looking over one shoulder (portrait style), or tilting their head to one side or backwards or forwards
• there must be no hair across the eyes
• hats or head coverings are not permitted except when worn for religious reasons and only if the full facial features are clearly visible
• photos with shadows on the face are unacceptable
• photos must reflect/represent natural skin tone

BACKGROUND:

Photos must have a background which:

• has no shadows
• has uniform lighting, with no shadows or flash reflection on the face and head
• shows a plain, uniform, light grey or cream background (5% to 10% grey is recommended)

Typologies

the study and interpretation of types and became associated with photography through the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher, whose photographs taken over the course of 50 years of industrial structures; water towers, grain elevators, blast furnaces etc can be considered conceptual art. The Becher’s were influenced by the work of earlier German photographers linked to the New Objectivity movement of the 1920s such as August Sander, Karl Blossfeldt and Albert-Renger-Patzsch.

Upclose

Photoshoot one:

For my first photoshoot, I will be taking photos to use for double/multi exposure. These photos will be portraits of a singular person, using different facial expressions. I will try and have a contrast of lighting by using a dark backdrop and light illuminating the face with no shadows, so their face is clear and focused. Finally, I will use photoshop to edit these photos to create to multi-exposure and blur effect.

Photoshoot two:

For my second photoshoot, I will be taking passport-like images to therefore use for Diamond Cameo. These photos will need to also have one subject, but with a straight facial expression. I will choose whether or not I want to use a light or dark backdrop and I will use a bright, artificial light.

Photoshoot three:

For my last photoshoot, I will be taking photos to create a photomontage. For this, I will be experimenting with different facial expressions to see what works best. Then, I will edit these images by cutting, rearranging and over-lapping the images to make a final result.

Contact Sheets

For these photoshoots, I did multiple photoshoots focusing on trying to get each of the various lighting effects rather than doing a photoshoot for each.

Contact Sheet for Rembrandt

Camera Setup

Rembrandt Edits

Edit 1

I didn’t think this photo needed much done to it so I just slightly cropped the top and sides, decreased the exposure then increased the clarity.

Edit 2

I didn’t edit this photo, I just cropped the sides so that there is less empty space.

Edit 3

I only edited this photo by cropping it then slightly lowering the exposure.

Edit 4

I edited this photo by making it black and white, cropping it then lowering the exposure.

Edit 5

I edited this photo by cropping it then lowering the exposure and highlights.

Edit 6

I edited this photo by cropping it, making it black and white, using the brush tool to make the trifle under the eye slightly more exposed and then decreasing the overall exposure.

Edit 7

I didn’t do anything to this photo except from cropping it on the sides and top.

Edit 8

I cropped this photo and, instead of making it black and white, lowered the vibrance and saturation.

Edit 9

I edited this photo by cropping it then decreasing the exposure, contrast, highlights and vibrance.

Photoshoot One:

My plan for my first headshots photoshoot is to take some images similar to passport like photographs, I will try to avoid any shadows and I want my models to have a very straight and plain face with no particular facial expressions, I think this helps to portray a very formal image which only has their shoulders and head in and shows their clear facial features.

Photoshoot Two:

For my next photoshoot I will be using diamond cameo, for this i will need to take some continuous photos of plain expressions. I would also like left and right side profile images and a large variety of many photos of my model looking in all different directions, I will then create my diamond cameo using Photoshop and editing tools.

Photoshoot Three:

For my third photoshoot I will then need to make some more multi-exposure photos, I will create this in Photoshop and use my best editing skills. I will have my model look at the camera at all different angles with all different lighting techniques to be able to accomplish the best image possible.

Definition: a type of portrait photography typically used for websites, press releases, publications, and social-media profiles.

The term “headshot” or “head shot” just means that the portrait photo is cropped somewhere in the middle torso – so that the focus is on your face. The subject’s face should be the main focus, and the framing should be done in a way that draws attention to the eyes and facial expressions.

In headshots it’s important to consider:

• Lighting: soft, hard
• Framing: Headshots
• Focusing: focus on the eyes
• Expression: Explore different moods and emotions.
• Pose: Manner and attitude. Use hands too…

Soft and hard lighting:

Soft lighting has a few hard shadows that’s bright yet balanced. The transition between light and shadow is a gradient instead of being bold and separate from one another.

Hard lighting does not only emphasize facial features, it also create the dark and broody mood you want with a tone of mystery. Chiaroscuro and Rembrandt are good techniques to achieve this as they cast harsh shadows and draw attention to a specific part of a photo. In hard lighting, the transition between the light and the shadows is very harsh and defined.

Framing:

Rule of thirds is a good technique in framing the face in headshots so that the face is equally distributed across the image. For example, you should aim to align your eyes with upper-third line of the grid when cropping tight, and if you’re cropping wider, be sure that your head is positioned within the top third of the image. However if you are looking to be more creative you can alter this technique. The subject should look relaxed and confident by keeping their chin up and making eye contact.

Focusing on the eyes:

By placing your camera directly in front of your subject it allows fine-tune and focuses on the eyes, making them sharp. This way the colour and pattern in the eyes can be seen more as they are the most distinct part of a persons face. This makes the image more engaging for the viewer where they can look around the image more. Reflectors can help this.

Expressions and emotions:

Exploring different expressions is important as it highly reflects the mood and tone of the image especially if paired with the appropriate lighting. You want to project confidence and competence to make others feel at ease. The face is the centre of attention so it is important to have a compelling expression, yet not to over-do it entirely as this may make the image unappealing.

Posing:

The pose performed in the image also sets the tone and mood for the image. This can act as a cue for an emotion out of the viewer too so that it makes them feel something. The hands are very useful in this as they can also conceal certain areas of the face and add to the emotion of the subject. For example, the Power Pose is a classic stance that exudes confidence and strength. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, place your hands on your hips, and tilt your chin slightly up. This pose will make you look assertive and in control – perfect for professional headshots.

The camera settings I am going to use:

Camera settings (flash lighting)
Tripod: optional
Use transmitter on hotshoe
White balance: daylight (5000K)
ISO: 100
Exposure: Manual 1/125 shutter-speed > f/16 aperture
– check settings before shooting
Focal lenght: 105mm portrait lens

Camera settings (continuous lighting)
Tripod: recommended to avoid camera shake
Manual exposure mode
White balance: tungsten light (3200K)
ISO: 400-1600 – depending on how many light sources
Exposure: Manual 1/60-1/125 shutter-speed > f/4-f/8 aperture
– check settings before shooting
Focal lenght: 50mm portrait lens