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On Jul 3, 1:11?pm, "Leo Lichtman" wrote:
The OP doesn’t say how he intends to use the pictures, but I think you are being overly negative about 1 or 2 megapixel quality. ?
Hello, and thank you all for your replies. How do I intend to use the photos? Well, I work from time to time as an actor, and I do not wish to spend a few hundred bucks on professional headshots right now. So, I was hoping to use these photos as headshots to be emailed in response to craigslist ads for acting jobs.
My last headshot was taken with my old 35mm camera about a year or more ago by a relative who was a pretty good photographer. This headshot looked really good, and I was able to create a good-looking JPG image by scanning the 4 X 6 print. Now, 1) that relative is unfortunately deceased, 2) the 35mm camera may not be that good any more, 3) I don’t want to spend money on an entire role of film and on developing that entire role of film just to get a new headshot, and 4) we have a new camera cell phone. So, because of those 4 reasons, I used the cell phone’s self timer to take photos of myself.
On the cell phone, the photos looked pretty good. On the computer, they looked OK, but the graininess was significant, especially the suit’s. However, when I went to Walgreens and printed them, they looked kind of bad.
I think you are probably right, that the OP doesn’t have the PS Elements techniques needed for this task. ?But, as I said earlier, I believe the photo is badly underexposed, and the best recourse is to put on the dark suit again and reshoot it in better light. ?Better yet, wear lighter colored
clothing–black is hard to render well, even in good light.
I have noticed that the cell phone does take very good, almost grain- less photos outdoors, in broad daylight. So, maybe I will try to take these pictures again in broad daylight. And maybe I will wear lighter- colored clothing.
As far as expertise in Photoshop, you guys are correct in saying that my knowledge of Photoshop is limited. However, I am told that my local library has a staff member who *is* an expert on Photoshop. So, I may try to seek this gentleman out.
Thanks.
well asking me would be wrong as actor headshots are big part of my living for over 25 years
any decent agent would not accept a cell phone picture and handing in such crappy shot promotes the idea you think you’re not worth investing money into, so why would a director or producer?? the talent we work for would never think to present less than the best because they already see themselves as pros and present themselves as such they average time of use 1-2 years some use it 4-5 years and all come back over the years and say I never has such great shots I got lots of work etc most headshots $150-600 depending averaged out over that time is CHEAP you want people to pay you for your acting don’t you??
your headshot is your calling card
it should be absolutely professional
or at least a decent amateur shot
stay away from websites & agents that take any old pictures and say oh we showcase you for X amount money or we make picture packages and directories ask your acting coach or other professional actors who is good