Bad HEADSHOT examples! Things to avoid:
 Bricks are generally a bad background. The lines of mortar are really distracting. Move elsewhere! |
 Bright sunlight causes squinting and it's hard to see the subject's eyes! Try your photo in the shade or under an awning. |
 Lines show up sometimes |
 Well, hats can be a problem, can't they? It'd be nice to see this guy's eyes. Look at your subject's face and see if shadows are going to hide the eyes. |
 It's essential to have the eyes in focus for a strong portrait; not the ears or T-shirt. In dim light it's harder to focus. If you move, or your subject moves, check focus before shooting any more. Focus on the FRONT eye if your subject is turned toward you. |
BAD PORTRAITS Don't try these shots at home! You can do much better if you follow tips given in class. To see some good examples from former students, click here. (Examples here
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By John Freeman, Associate Professor of Journalism
