Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

spluloacle · **Can I take a headshot with my equipment? -** 12-07-2011, 09:35 PM

I have a Canon T1i and I have the nifty 50, a 28-135 USM IS 3.5-5.6, and a 100-300 4.5-5.6 USM.

Will I be able to do the right kind of shot with what I have? Should I rent/borrow something else instead? If I can do a proper one with what I have how do I go about doing it? This is for a friend who is running for local office and he is asking me to help him out.

Help me out? I know my stuff pretty well so I know I can get some good stuff but I need help with the mechanics of headshots in of themselves.

BTW Hi all been a while since I have been around

Ralph Merlino · 12-07-2011, 09:59 PM

Use your 28-135 set it between 85mm and 105mm
and you will be fine for head shots.

spluloacle · 12-07-2011, 10:02 PM

Thanks :)

ronocnikral · 12-08-2011, 09:54 AM

one of my greatest joys is pretending this is really a forum about hunting. "head shots," "shooting in a hotel."

i would be more worried about the composition, angled shoulders etc, than the equipment. If you can compose and light it, any lens will do imo, especially if in a studio and with a crop sensor. ymmv.

Redneck · 12-08-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Can I take a headshot with my equipment?

I'm not even sure I understand the question.

Why shouldn't you? It's a camera. Any of your lenses will do fine as long as you take care of the correct exposure.

I too suggest learning how your equipment works and how to pose people instead of worrying about the technical capabilities of your gear.

spluloacle · 12-08-2011, 11:52 AM

I asked the question because I am making sure a proper headshot that will be used for running for political office can be taken with what I have. Now that I am glad to hear that I can I have been looking up posing and such. Kinda excited. Hopefully I can get some good stuff.

groovyone · 12-08-2011, 01:09 PM

I typically shoot between f/4-5.6 anyway for headshot type stuff, so you will be fine. As Ralph said, 85mm range or so is usually a good one because of the way it renders people's faces.

brad · 12-08-2011, 01:21 PM

I'm not trying to sound mean... but creating an image that will be often the first impression people have of him as he's running for political office is pretty important. A headshot is not just a quick snapshot of head and shoulders.

He'd be better off with an experienced headshot photographer than just a friend doing him a favor.

I have no idea what your capabilities are behind the camera, but the fact that you asked the question tells me you are not an experienced headshot photographer. There is an art to it.. lighting and equipment are secondary.. without the proper pose and composition, it doesn't have the impact it needs to have.

Ralph Merlino · 12-08-2011, 03:31 PM

brad is right on the money.

mmuhlenkamp · 12-08-2011, 03:49 PM

Equipment shouldn't hold you back here, look at photos, try to imitate, practice, lather, rinse, repeat.

Hint: Brad's stuff is pretty darn good. You might want to look at his work...

ChrisTX · 12-08-2011, 03:56 PM

Lenses and cameras are the easy part. Lighting it correctly is much harder.

spluloacle · 12-08-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad

I'm not trying to sound mean... but creating an image that will be often the first impression people have of him as he's running for political office is pretty important. A headshot is not just a quick snapshot of head and shoulders.

He'd be better off with an experienced headshot photographer than just a friend doing him a favor.

I have no idea what your capabilities are behind the camera, but the fact that you asked the question tells me you are not an experienced headshot photographer. There is an art to it.. lighting and equipment are secondary.. without the proper pose and composition, it doesn't have the impact it needs to have.

And I agree. And while I am not trying to sound over confident I do feel like I have the ability to do a good head shot. However if I get to it and do it and decide I just am not good enough I will recommend someone else. :) He is well aware of this fact as well and is fine with it. :)

I am just glad to know that equipment is not as important of a factor. I still have that mentality that is so prevalent of if I don't have the best stuff I won't get good pictures even though I have proven that wrong to myself MANY times.

Thanks for your input. :)

brad · 12-08-2011, 08:58 PM

Study the headshot masters out there... Kevyn Major Howard and Peter Hurley come to mind immediately... also take a look around here, our own Scott Waters is very good at headshots as well as a few others.

spluloacle · 12-09-2011, 12:09 AM

Thanks :) I appreciate it.

brad · 12-09-2011, 12:31 PM

Be warned, though... those "big guys" make it look easy.