Image credit: Shaun Buckingham – FG man Barbershop
Follow these tips to submit appropriate and professional photos for barber contests.
1. Plan your concept: Decide on the theme, style, and overall look you want to achieve with your photos. You can get more ideas by looking at images in magazines and online. This helps create consistent and visually appealing images.
2. Lighting: Proper lighting is key to taking professional-looking photos. Use natural light or well-placed artificial lighting to highlight your subject and ensure clarity and detail.
3. Composition: Pay attention to the composition of your photo. Use the rule of thirds to create balanced and visually pleasing images. Consider the background, foreground, and overall framing to emphasize your subject.
4. Focus and sharpness: Make sure your subject is in sharp focus. Use manual focus or autofocus to accurately capture the details of your haircut or style.
5. Background: Choose a clean, uncluttered background that doesn't distract from your main subject. A plain wall or background that complements your style will work well.
6. Styling and Grooming: Make sure your hair is properly styled and groomed. Pay attention to details such as loose hair, flyaways, and uneven lines. Enhance your style and look sophisticated with the right products.
7. Props and accessories: If you want to include props and accessories in your photos, make sure they complement the overall composition and theme. Avoid using too many props that can distract from the main subject.
8. Editing: Post-processing helps improve the overall look of your photo. Use your editing software to adjust exposure, contrast, and color balance. However, avoid excessive editing that will make the photo look unnatural or overly edited.
9. Attention to detail: Pay attention to details, such as removing any remaining hair cuts on the model and placing all stray hairs correctly. These details contribute to the professionalism of the photo.
10. Practice and experiment: Take multiple shots from different angles and perspectives to find the best composition. Experiment with different lighting settings and poses to get the perfect shot.
Remember, your professional photography entry needs to showcase your skill, creativity, and attention to detail. Take your time and carefully plan and pay attention to every aspect of your photography to create an outstanding piece for your competition.
A quick phone photo of a customer sitting in a chair after a crop is not as impactful as a well-thought-out image.