Head Shot

 I always looking for new photographic challenges. Sometimes on some grandiose plan, but sometimes it is something a little smaller.

A few weeks ago, I got an email from work saying our ID cards needed updating and we would need a new headshot.

My last ID photo was taken about 15 years ago, where as a group we all marched down, where a professional took our photos. That has been my image since then. I always say that corporate photos are a bit like a reverse Dorian Grey, where your image fixes you in time while you grow older. The other fact is I hated that image. I made the mistake of having an open collar shirt, and to be honest I weighed more in those days and my face showed it.

Since that time the world of photography has moved on. 15 years ago, the process of getting a half decent image was complex, now pretty well anyone with a phone can generate one, and that is the process most will take.

But I'm a photographer dammit. The easy way is not an option, and if I was going to get an image of myself, it was going to be the best damn one I could make.

Doing Head

Portrait photography generally is not my thing. It really requires a dedicated space and equipment. Then there is getting the best out of your subject, which requires you instructing them and ordering them about, something I am not really comfortable with. However surely, I could deal with me, couldn't I.

My 1st call was YouTube. I wanted to know two things. Firstly, the optimum lighting setup and secondly, the best way to pose to get the most flattering shot. Fortunately, there are loads of videos on this sort of thing, however there were a number of issues

Firstly, most assumed you had a large space, with infinite number of lights and other apparatus. Secondly almost all used some young female model as their example. I couldn't find the one on how to take rather grizzled 60-year-old blokes. To be honest most of the models would have looked fine if they had gurned into the camera, while my best side was probably inside a paper bag. 

Still, I got some ideas. Basically, I needed at white background and at least two light sources. One to illuminate my face, another to illuminate the background. I also needed a reflector to ensure both sides of the face were evenly illuminated (A third light would of been better here, but two was easier)

Flashing myself

Pros don't have to de-costruct their liveing quarters to take an image

I therefore went to look what I had. Professional photographers use speedlights, main powered flashes. I have considered over the years in getting some, but they are expensive and in truth I just would never use them. Instead, I had a plethora of flashes. 2 cheapo Newer flashes, and two better Godox models. My best one was a Godox ???, which is a great piece of kit. Unfortunately, some years ago I dropped it on its Hotshoe, and bent a pin, so it will not now fire from the camera. However fortunately I also have a wireless trigger, that will trigger that plus a smaller Godox flash. 

The next question was setting them up. I have a number of cheap reflector umbrella's so I mounted the larger flash on one on a stand. I also had a large white cloth that I could hang as a backdrop. This unfortunately was a bit creased, and ironing it would have been a pain, so I hoped as long as I kept the depth of field quite shallow, it would not show up. I also put a large white reflector on the other side. 

To illuminate the backdrop, I wanted to mount another flash behind me. Unfortunately, I could not find another flash mount for the umbrella poles, so resorted to an old tripod 

Finally with the flashes mounted, and the backdrop up I was ready to begin. I wanted to use my 85mm Viltrox lens since it was sharp and would hopefully provide the separation between subject and backdrop. 

In a professional studio, they often have loads of space to put there kit around and place their camera lens. I am not so fortunate in my house.

The best place is the living room, but that means kicking the family out. The dining area means working round a large table. The master bedroom is the only other one large enough, however apart from various furniture I have to work around the double bed. This meant I really did not have enough space really to fit everything in and provide the enough separation. I would love a dedicated studio space where I could setup the kit and leave it, but we just don't have that luxury, so we managed with what we had.

One other problem was the room light that hung too low. This was solved by gaffer tape to the ceiling/

Lone Worker

Once setup I needed to get the lighting correct. I needed to light myself, but not blow out the highlights. I To do this I needed to take test shots. I could of used an app, but instead I used a 10 second self-timer. 

It took a long time to get the lighting correct, partly because I did not understand the power settings on the flash which were too low. It required careful positioning of both the flash light, the power and also the camera ISO and aperture.

However, I was just about ready, when the backlight flash stopped working. This took two AA batteries, and I thought I would just change them and we would be good to go. I tried various batteries and the flash just would not start. Time was running short, so i had to find an alternative. So instead, I got one my cheaper Newer flashes. This would not be wirelessly triggered, but could be slaved to the other flash light.

So I setup again, I had one more problem. Actually, taking the photo. Like I said up to there I had been using a self-timer, but I really needed some way to position myself. I could of used an app, but it is awkward to look down to an app, the pose. I therefore asked my wife if she would do the honours

Family Affair

When I mentioned to wife and two daughters my project. There first reaction was to take me in hand in clothing and makeup. My youngest decided to attack my eyebrows, while also suggesting which tie I should wear. 

However, it was my wife that I really depended on since she would take the actual image. She also was useful as a model to get the lighting correct. At this point the dog also decided it did not want to be left out and made a nuisance of itself.

Finally, we were ready.  I had to first instruct my wife how to move the camera on a tripod and press the shutter. To be honest I was so flustered at this point that any idea of posing went out of my head and I was happy to just get any image. 

Final touches

While the final image was not too bad (IMHO), there were a few issues. I had a few spots on my face and despite being clean shaven in the morning, stubble was showing. Worse, one side of my face had a slight shadow. So, I needed to process the image to correct these. This again took a few hours, until I was happy

Conclusion 

So, was it worth it? The answer is yes and no. For the purpose of a photo that will end up on a 3-inch piece of plastic that most will never look at, it was overkill. I learnt a bit about my flashes, setting up a lighting rig and the challenges of portraiture 

And I achieved my task, so all in all, yes. OK the image still shows an old bloke, but there is only so much can be done about that.

So in a few weeks’ time, the image will adorn my new pass, and it will become my corporate identity, and I can take pride that it all my own work...

P.S

My other flash mysteriously started working later that evening, and I have no idea why

The dog checking up on his

Old bloke....