Headshot: color or black and white?
Submitted by spavlides on Mon, 04/07/2008 - 16:14.
Tagged: Photos
Chad,
I have a quick question for you. What color headshots are used in the business? I am reading conflicting information. Some say B/W for stage and color for commercials and films. I just read something that said color for both. I'm confused.
Sincerely,
Simone
Headshot
I've always used black and whites, but my most recent agent urged me to use color. So to cover all the bases, I've got a black and white headshot, a color headshot, a black and white full-body character pose, and a color full-body character pose.
You really can't go wrong if you've got something for everybody.
(Bear in mind you don't have to spend hundreds on each shot---you can have a friend do them, if they're willing to shoot 72 shots--or you can volunteer for Time-For-Prints assignments from new photographers.)
Just a thought.
Best, K.K.
More from K.K.--
WWW.ROCKHERWORLD.NET
WWW.KK.ACTORSITE.COM
WWW.AUTHORSDEN.COM/KENKUPSTIS
WWW.ANGELFIRE.COM/TV2/VOODOOHIGHWAY
Thanks.
Thanks.
re: Headshot
I seem to remember an ActorTip that recommended a color 8x10 "bust" (head, shoulders & upper chest). So that's what I used for a film audition. Hope that helps!
Thanks. I would like a
Thanks. I would like a definitive answer that deals with stage auditions as well. Hoping someone has information about that.
Headshots represent you until you have an audition
Hi Simone,
Unfortunately, there is no "definitive" answer, because everyone seems to have a different opinion. However, B&W ones are universally accepted for anything, so that is usually a safe bet, but color is beginning to have more acceptance.
In general, it doesn't really make one whit of difference whether it is B&W or Color if it is not a good headshot that really shows off YOU. As I said in another post, this is your first introduction to someone, so it should always have a warmth and the ability to make the person look at it and say: "I want to meet this person, I think they would be interesting and lively, lets bring them in for a read."
If you really want a definitive answer, the best I can give you is: "do what you think is right for YOU!" There needs to be a piece of you on that paper, because it is going to represent you for a long time. This is the most important thing: if you think it looks more like you in color, go for it; if you think it looks more like you in B&W, do that. In the end, you just have to make it able to get you in the door of the audition, because until then this paper is YOU. So if you think it being one or the other is going to make a difference, change it or leave it the same, but don't take one person's word one way or the other for it, because in the end, I have NEVER had any of my director friends say while looking at a headshot and resume: "this person looks and sounds interesting, too bad their headshot isn't in color...NEXT!"
By all means get opinions, but in the end that's all they are, and you should do what makes sense to you in the context of the advice you get.
Hope this doesn't muddy the water too much :)
Thanks. No, it's a little
Thanks. No, it's a little clearer than mud now! I think this explains why what I have been reading has been so confusing. At least I know that I am not committing a faux pas either way. I appreciate your insight.
A Little More About Color vs. B&W
Well, Simone... it appears you've gotten some good advice. I hope I can offer more.
The one thing you need to understand in this business is the term "Flavor of the Month". Aaaaand the current flavor is: COLOR!
In all seriousness... oh, heck, forget that! Let's be silly! It really is all about personal preference! But there are some very, very important things attached. Do you have striking physical features that color just enhances? Do you have emerald eyes that melt at twenty paces? Do you have red hair that would make Maureen O'Hara envious? All of these are considerations. But the bottom line is everyone's going color. And the most basic reasoning is that IT COSTS JUST THE SAME to print in color as it does black and white! That's the real reason people got shots in black and white... in the Olden Days (y'know, last century...?) it was just too cost prohibitive to print in color. So actors and major studios opted for the 8x10 B&W shots.
The things to focus on in getting your shots is composition. Do you look like your shot? Casting agents call you in based on the person on the paper. Even if you have a color shot, if your hair in the shot is black and you walk in with highlights, have you really benefitted? I mean, really... how many times can we say "Oh, um... it's for a role I'm doing..."
And one last thing: to disagree with KK, NEVER have a friend take 72 exposures of you to update your headshots, no matter how good they may seem! Yes, I am biased, but think about it. Unless he's a professional photographer, what makes you think he can capture what is the current trend in the business? And if he's just going to shoot 72 exposures, is that saying that he's using an old 35MM in the days of under $500 8.1 Megapixel camera's? You don't have to break the bank to get shots done, but please... HAVE THEM DONE BY A PROFESSIONAL!
Okay... I'm calm now...
Phillip Ramirez
Headshots: www.artistikvision.com
Online Demo: www.phillip-ramirez.com