The Internet has exposed what Photoshop can do to seemingly ordinary people and transforming them to literally, magazine-cover-worthy subjects. The powers of Photoshop has spread so much that the common banter in our studio is about ‘photoshop-ing’ wrinkles, eye bags, etc.
Because I sort and review hundreds (sometimes thousands) of photos a week, I have a fair idea of what looks real and fake. Real is captured in the candid moments, even during portrait sessions. That’s why asking people to smile is not the best way to get that real smile because it turns out to be a frozen, fake look. What I usually tell our clients is that we are our own worst critics. We blow our imperfections (who doesn’t have any?) out of proportion when people aren’t even seeing that. The overall impression of the photograph is what matters. I have become more aware of a fake look especially in the process of reviewing hundreds of headshot photos. The movement in the brows, eyes and mouth all lend to the honest-to-goodness look. And yes, even with wrinkles and all, the energy that is exuded in the photograph is what ultimately counts.
Given the right technical aspects of a photograph – lighting, composition, etc. – authenticity will trump any imperfection. It will be very hard to photoshop fake expressions.
Note: Identity Headshots was formerly called Fotojorno.
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