cd promo shots

[Deacon]

Here are a few shots I am working on for this entertainer, Jamie Laval's new cd and website. Straight jpeg, no PS work done yet. I will post after we get the post production work done.

http://Deacon.smugmug.com/photos/16701963-M.jpg

http://Deacon.smugmug.com/photos/16701972-M.jpg

http://Deacon.smugmug.com/photos/16702417-M.jpg

Deacon

[mercphoto]

I think the first one has too many shadows. I like the contrast from the dark shirt compared to the flesh tones and violin, but would like to see more detail in the shirt/shadows. The right side of his face is a bit dark as well. The last pic is a great head shot.

Having the violin in the shot is a great idea. But a better background might be useful. Maybe a more environmental shot. Is this a bio shot for the jacket liner, or a cover shot?

[rutt]

I agree with Bill, but I still like the first shot very much. It's hard to get such a relaxed portrait and I think the artist would like it very much (not easy to get people to like pictures of themselves.) You can address at least some ot the issues in post. Try a little shadow/highlight.

If you do reshoot, try to use some sort of partially indirect flash that will create catchlights in his eyes. If you don't already have one, check out the Stofen diffuser (Google it).

[wxwax]

If you reshoot, you might think about powder to remove the shine. :dunno

[Angelo]

nice that you get to work on this CD cover. Congrats! :thumb

I read the other responses and just chiming in with some thoughts...

if I have to choose from these 3 I like the pose of #1 best although I don't like what he's leaning on... seems a bit "old school". What type of music does he play? Anything interesting or new about his approach to the violin. Let the photo reflect that. I point to the differences between Josh Groban and Placido Domingo as examples of two very different approaches to opera and opera CDs.

But let me address the elephant in the room: are all 3 of these shots a tad too dark?

[rutt]

But let me address the elephant in the room: are all 3 of these shots a tad too dark?
For this kind of thing, that shouldn't really be a problem. Presumably somebody will do some prepress work. A LAB curve tweak, shadow/highlight, no problem.

[Nee7x7]

The first one should be your choice (with just a little tweaking).

I'd have to agree that the thing he's leaning on is a little old school, but what really shines in this photo is the relaxed feeling and that the way he's holding the violin shows the relationship of this man to his music.

The shadows are not that objectionable nor is the cloth draped thing in front of him, because you don't really notice them that much. I just really like the way his personality comes through in the first one. The other two don't tell as much about him or seem as natural looking. And the shine on his forehead is much more pronounced in them.

Nice series...good luck with the project! Pretty neat to have something like this to put in your portfolio, isn't it? Congrats!
~Nee :):

[Deacon]

Thanks for the comments and I agree with them. Here is a little "behind the scenes" information. The artist showed up 5 hours late and the location we were going to shoot was not available. The shots took place in a room over my garage with only sheetrock painted walls, no backdrop.

The "old school" was a kitchen barstool with his coat draped over the back. Lighting was three SB-800 strobes, one to his left side with a small lightbox on the strobe, another just to the right of the camera with a diffuser and the third handheld about 4' to the right of center.

I had a heck of a time with bounced light, shadows etc. I agree about being a bit dark but just playing a little bit that looks like it won't be a problem. We did the shots more as a test to see how he reacted to the camera and his strengths and weaknesses, ended up with some that worked pretty well.

Today we did outdoor shots

[Deacon]

I tried to get him to bring in a stylist to help with complexion/makeup and hair to avoid the shine problems etc but he is a "starving" musician...

Interesting question about how to differentiate him from other violinists. He is actually a Celtic fiddler that has been playing classic Celtic music but is now wanting to change to original compositions with a Celtic base but edgier and more his own style.

Some of the outdoor shots hopefully will show the shift in direction. I will post some of them tomorrow. Again, thanks for the comments, they are all taken to heart!

Deacon

ps his website is Jamie Laval dot com (http://jamielaval.com)

[ian408]

I liked the first one for the shadow and for the relaxed feeling it gave.

Ian

[Deacon]

Here is the webpage, photo section with three of the outside shots posted...it was fun and I learned a lot. Lighting is the key!

Deacon

Jamie Laval Photos (http://jamielaval.com/photos.html)

[wxwax]

Some nice piccies there. :nod

[Nee7x7]

Being of the female persuasion, I have a suggestion for you if you should do any more "formal" (as in studio type) portraits. To take care of shine on a person's face, all you need is some translucent face powder, which you can buy and apply with a brush, total cost for both should be under $10 if you shop at Target, Kmart or Walmart for it. Walgreens is another good place to look. Then, to take care of the shine, you just apply a little of the powder to the person's face with the brush (be sure to wash the brush with soap and water between customers, but don't use it wet! An extra brush might be a good investment). Just be careful not to use too much powder...and make sure they close their eyes and mouth and tilt their head up toward you when you apply it. No need for a professional stylist for that part. As for their hair...well, having a nice sized and well lit mirror available so they can fix their own hair (and makeup, in the case of a woman) is also a good idea.

Cheers!
~Nee :rolleyes
ps. The outdoor pics came out really nicely! Good job~ :thumb

[Angelo]

Here is the webpage, photo section with three of the outside shots posted...it was fun and I learned a lot. Lighting is the key!

Deacon

Jamie Laval Photos (http://jamielaval.com/photos.html)
Some great shots there. which are yours "deacon"?

[Deacon]

The ones labeled "Gregory Heinze", thanks.

Greg/Deacon

[Shay Stephens]

I find the Clean & Clear oil absrbing sheets acceptable to even the manliest man out there. They work well too and can fit in the camera bag real easy.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jhtml?CATID=100303&id=prod4130&skuid=sku304130&navAction=push&navCount=1

Being of the female persuasion, I have a suggestion for you if you should do any more "formal" (as in studio type) portraits. To take care of shine on a person's face, all you need is some translucent face powder, which you can buy and apply with a brush, total cost for both should be under $10 if you shop at Target, Kmart or Walmart for it. Walgreens is another good place to look. Then, to take care of the shine, you just apply a little of the powder to the person's face with the brush (be sure to wash the brush with soap and water between customers, but don't use it wet! An extra brush might be a good investment). Just be careful not to use too much powder...and make sure they close their eyes and mouth and tilt their head up toward you when you apply it. No need for a professional stylist for that part. As for their hair...well, having a nice sized and well lit mirror available so they can fix their own hair (and makeup, in the case of a woman) is also a good idea.

Cheers!
~Nee :rolleyes
ps. The outdoor pics came out really nicely! Good job~ :thumb

[Nee7x7]

I find the Clean & Clear oil absrbing sheets acceptable to even the manliest man out there. They work well too and can fit in the camera bag real easy.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jhtml?CATID=100303&id=prod4130&skuid=sku304130&navAction=push&navCount=1LOL! Actually, it sounds a lot easier and a lot better than my suggestion~ :D
(and a guy definitely would feel a bit less intimidated by it, for sure!)
Cheers!
~Nee :rolleyes

[Deacon]

You never know, some guys out there might like it :dunno

Guess I need to spend time at the mall at the makeup counters to get some pointers.

Deacon