It would seem to be a simple project for a photographer. After all, you are only worrying about a persons face, and just maybe part of their shoulders. Seriously, how hard can it be?

More than you think.

The headshot is a critical piece of many professionals PR packets. A dynamic headshot for models, actors, and other performance professionals will be the difference between acquiring the gig or not. Your clients can be no more excited than if they get a gig based on the power of their headshot – and of course, this means more jobs for you.

Follow these few tips to achieve the perfect headshot.

1. Focus on the eyes.

The eyes are said to be the window of the soul. Therefore, nothing is more important than achieving sharp, crisp eyes in your shot. Capturing the eyes in a powerful way will draw the viewer into the photo, establishing a strong connection that will speak volumes.

2. Watch your angles.

Remember that for close up shots, angles will affect the outcome look and feel. For women, make the eyes appear larger and the face more delicate by shooting down on them. For men, emphasize strength and achievement by shooting slightly up.

3. Use diffused light.

In close up shots, the skin is a central feature. It’s crucial to show the skin without blemishes. Achieve this by using diffused light to gently wrap around the skin, bringing definition along the lines of the face without highlighting blemishes.

4. Add a hair light

Detail is critical in head-shots and are no more dynamic than when created with a hair-light. A hair-light can be placed above or behind the subject [with a flash or the sun] to add depth to the shot, and pull the top of the head out of the background.

5. Use of Lens

Nothing is more disturbing than a near-dynamic headshot that fails simply because of lens distortion. Generally, avoid mid to wide angle lenses for close headshots. Instead, use a lens that will compress your image and slim your subjects face – typically 90mm and above.

6. Guide expression

The final most important element is an expression to match the purpose of the headshot. It’s your job as photographer to pull out the most natural looks from your subjects. Do so by guiding them through complimenting conversation; i.e. asking serious questions to pull out a thoughtful gaze, or cracking a joke to capture a natural smile.

Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.

How to Take the Perfect Headshot: Six Tips

Original post by Christina N Dickson

Original post by Andrew Barrow

Perhaps one of the best features of the widespread availability of digital cameras is the ability to capture our vacations and trips across the globe. Never has it been easier to photograph and share with our friends and family the unique cultures, monuments, people and wonders of the world we find on our travels.

And never have as many photographers, both beginners and advanced alike, wanted to know not only how to capture those moments around the world, but sell and professionally present them. Want no more thanks to Nick Onken’s Photo Trekking: A Traveling Photographer’s Guide to Capturing Moments Around the World.

Photo Trekking is one of those books as essential on your next trip as a toothbrush and your boarding pass. Simply put, don’t leave home without it. In it, Onken covers everything from the dedication it takes to be a travel photographer, trip logistics and preparations, planning stock and editorial shoots, recognizing unique images that help tell the story of a location, on location work flow, portfolio presentation, brand and presenting your images of the world, to the world.

Everyone has a photo of the Eiffel Tower when traveling to Paris, but not every photographer thinks to bring home the other photos that really show the character of a location and the ones stock sites and photo buyers are looking for. Be it details like doors and signs, windows and water, or techniques like solar flare and focus, Photo Trekking is packed with tips on making great images. In fact, there are 49 pages of tips and examples that you’ll want to read over and over again.

Throughout Photo Trekking Onken stresses the importance of personal vision. Knowing not just what you want to shoot, but how you shoot it is a key to his personal philosophy and capturing the best possible travel photographs. It comes through on every page. He also inserts “traveler’s journal” sections throughout the book showing great images from his travels and explaining the stories behind them. They’re great behind-the-lens insight.

What other photographers will really appreciate about Photo Trekking are the large visuals. Most photographers are visual thinkers and Onken capitalizes with tons of big, bold photos that not only tell you how to capture a great moment, but show you how.

But even if you never plan to sell a single photo or present them to anyone besides close family and friends, Photo Trekking will show you how to capture the moments and details you’ve always wanted in your travel photography. You can order it on Amazon for a great deal or find other retailers on the book’s launch page. For those of you in the New York area, you can even attend the book launching party on March 19th, 2010. Look here for details.

If you’d like to get more great tips, check out Onken’s blog, follow him on Twitter or fan him on Facebook. Be especially sure to check out his amazing new Web site. But most of all, before leaving for your next trip, make sure a copy of Photo Trekking is in your suitcase.

Author: Nick Onken
Publisher: Random House
Length: 160 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8174-3280-5
Available at: Photo Trekking: A Traveling Photographer’s Guide to Capturing Moments Around the World (Amazon – $16.49)

Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.

Photo Trekking: A Traveling Photographer’s Guide to Capturing Moments Around the World [Book Review]

Original post by Matthew Dutile

Original post by site admin

Original post by site admin

Take a look below for 31 stunning black and white subject study photos on Imagekind.

Pear in Porcelain by Dawn LeBlanc

Baby´s got Back by Andreas Stridsberg

Ready to Bloom by Tim Zeipekis

Resilience by Ari Bixhorn

Mount Rainer by Frank Melchior

Feather Study by Keith Dotson

Cotton-top Tamarin by Mihkel Maripuu

salute to the sun by Antje Bormann

Beach Ballerina by Nina Bradica

Subtle by Terry Shuck

Lonely Tree on a Barren Hill by Keith Dotson

Cool Chick by Dapixara Black White Photography

Column by Jean-Francois Dupuis

Flower on My Bedside Table by Ricardo Segovia

Pelican Model Behaviour II by Diana Claxton

Egret by Scott Hansen

You said you loved me by Anna Theodora

Elk Crossing by Santomarco Photography

End of the pier by David King

Sad Labrador by Justin Paget

The Wait by Maggie Dee

Giants Ring, Belfast by Chris McKeown

Wellington by Ben Ryan

Calla Lily by Chris Anderson

The Will of the King by Larry Bohlin

Stardust I by Gigja Einarsdottir

Wet Shaking Labrador by Justin Paget

My Lost Love by Lynsey Weatherspoon

Hunter from the Deep by Myles Teo

old elephant, amboseli national park, kenya by Konstantin Kalishko

Wild Horses by Heather Rivet

Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.

31 Stunning Black and White Subject Study Photos on Imagekind

Original post by Nate Jelovich

Original post by Andrew Barrow

Original post by Andrew Barrow

Original post by Andrew Barrow

Original post by site admin