Basis question for photographers
 

Last night I was helping a buddy out shooting some pics for his new online girlfriend quest. Ok, Ok I know all the jokes, I'm being serious here.

Here's my question as I know jack shit about photography...

Being straight I know nothing about mens looks in general, but the guy is a good-looking guy by anybody's standards. The photos are aging him like ten years at least. Small lines that are hardly noticeable in person seem like crevices in the pics. He doesn't have a double chin, but it appears that way in photos. Eyes seem droopy and tired (they're not). What's up with this?

Are some people just not photogenic? Could it just be the amateur photography making him look like shit? Is a basic in (cheap) camera flash seriously unforgiving and creates lumps and shit that aren't there? If a guy or a girl is decent looking in person, do you sometimes have to shoot a shitload of pics to get a decent one? I didn't think pictures lied.

Any thoughts, ideas?

Thanks

Most likely it's poor lighting and unflattering, amateurish photography making him look bad. You should either try using different lighting or just ask another friend who actually knows a bit more about lighting and photography to shoot the pics to make him look his best.

It probably is the flash. What camera are you using? If it's an SLR then get him to buy you a flash unit. ;)

Kodak Easy Share. Inexpensive.

go and shoot outside in the morning or evening sun

if you shoot inside don't use automatic white balance

don't get too close with the cam to him, use the zoom.

especially pics from a short distance with flash in a half dark room suck - do the opposite of that. ;)

and consumer cams have small lenses with shitty low light capabilities, get as much light as possible

jim is probably right without seeing pics I cant say but chances are the lighting is creating shadows that are causing every issue you mentioned

I find to get that nice soft skin look I shoot photos outdoors with plenty of light, but also importantly use the flash (called fill flash) with a diffuser, just simply use a white t-shirt over the flash.

If you want to shoot nice flattering shots with a flash get one of these.

http://www.photoflex.com/store/produ...roducts_id=915

HERES A PIC.

http://www.photoflex.com/store/image...nCamera300.jpg