Help needed - close up portrait photography.

[snotrag]

Ok, an odd one this, but I guess you lot may have some useful input.

Some backrgound -
Last September, I was attacked with a glass bottle to the face - this led to me having emergency surgery to patch me up, with many many stitches around my brow, cheek, nose etc. Of course, this has left some pretty nasty scarring and other effects physical and physcological effects.

I was advised by the 5-0 to put in an application to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Bureau, this is a scheme which compensates the victims of violent crime, worked out based on a big book of guidelines they have. The 'pot' of money comes from the fines that are dished out to convicted criminals (things like ABH, Assault, etc).

This process has been going on around a year - partly because they are a typical government run bunch of numptons, partly because they want to see the lasting effects of the particular crime.
They have the original photo's from the time of the event, the doctors reports etc.

Now, they have written to me asking for a number of photographs to show the lasting effects of the scarring. They are after at least 4 photographs, specifically 5x4inch in size. These photos must be signed and dated to the rear by the photographer to certify they are an accurate representation, and have not been photoshopped.

How on earth do I go about this? Obviously I am going to want some quality prints, including some very close shots.
Snapping a few washed out, over-exposed 'myspace' poses on my camera phone and lashing them out on an inkjet printer is not really going to cut it here, is it?

Even the best camera is nothing compared the naked eye, we all know this. I want to know how to get some photo's that show as closely as possible, what I see when I look in the mirror.
I do have some funky scarring, mainly across my brow and forehead, but they are not going to show up on anything but top-notch photos. From across a room you cannot tell.


N.B. I know it sounds like a bit of a sob story, but dont take this out of context. I am not looking to cheat the system or give false representations. I want this to be an accurate representation of what I look like, what I see in the mirror everyday. Also, take note that this is not me cashing in on some claims direct rubbish, that goes against all my ethics - rather, I am led to beleive that any potential compensation comes from the pockets of convicted criminals, not innocent people or taxpayers, which is what makes me want to take it serioualy, and hell, it might be enough to top up my Porsche 944 savings fund for next spring

The equipment available to me at the moment would be in the form of a willing assistant, my old man, with basic skills, and his lower-end DSlr, with standard lens (think its an Olympus camera). Not really got a clue regarding the printing/output side of things.

Any advice, or help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

[tank slapper]

I think lighting will be important here - don't rely on flash, or you could wash out some detail. You can use a large white piece of paper or similar to act as a reflector, held out of shot to help reduce shadows.

The way I would probably go about this would be to take them outside or by a window on an overcast (but preferrably not too dull) day to get an even light source. Take some as close as you can to emphasise the scars and some so that you show the area in context. Take them from several angles so that you can select the best. Get them printed by one of the online photo processing places (eg photobox) so they are proper photos not inkjet or laser prints.

[cw42]

I must be missing something here, but if that were me, I'd be straight to a proffesional photographer and get them to do the photographs.
Dodgy snaps taken by your dad in your back garden with winter sunlight and a piece of paper for reflected light, then signed by you on the back aren't really what they want are they?

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, but get it done by a pro.

[Felters]

snotrag said:

Even the best camera is nothing compared the naked eye, we all know this. I want to know how to get some photo's that show as closely as possible, what I see when I look in the mirror.
I do have some funky scarring, mainly across my brow and forehead, but they are not going to show up on anything but top-notch photos. From across a room you cannot tell.

This is a pro job...you'll need proper lighting and a top camera - probably not digital. And some quality prints... won't be cheap but it's the only way.

[Andy M]

snotrag said:

These photos must be signed and dated to the rear by the photographer to certify they are an accurate representation, and have not been photoshopped.

I may have read this out of context, but 99.9% of professional photographers will pass their shots through Photoshop or alike simply to bring back sharpness and detail, and to give accurate colourings.

I presume you mean that the don't want the photos to have been manipulated to make the injuries appear worse? Like a 3 inch scar becoming a 10 inch?

Finally, it's not as difficult a task as it may appear. If you lived nearer me I'd happily shoot for you.

[Tuna]

You can probably get a good photo with the equipment you have to hand - a low end dSLR will produce perfectly reasonable 5x4 inch photos. As has been said, lighting is the key. To show the scarring you want lighting from the side - a flash from the front will wash it out. Find a room with just a north facing window on a nice day (that should give a good light without too much contrast. If it's too much, try a light but cloudy day). Sit side on to the window. Check the background is a neutral colour, dark-ish and not busy. Put the camera on manual, wide aperture (low f-number) and play with the speed until you get a nice exposure. Remember, you're going for a nice even light from the side, no flash. You might want to try sitting further from the window to get a more directional light - the more directional, the more it will show the texture of your face.

That should do the job, and if you frame it to fill as much of the picture as possible, it should print out at a high street developers at 5x4 or 6x4 and crop half an inch off top and bottom.

Of course the question then is, will that satisfy them that it's a good enough representation? If they want it signed by a photographer, they might be expecting you to pay a professional?

Good luck. At least with a digital, you can take lots of experimental photos until you get something good.

[snotrag]

Cheers guys - I dont know the actual wording of the letter, its at home and Im at Uni, my mother opened it. Going home this weekend to sort it.

I cant really afford to pay anyone for this, doubtless it would cost a fortune.

Tuna - thats very useful, thanks.

I am presuming that things like tweaking contrast are going to be ok, as that is what you would expect from any good photographs. I guess thats 'optimisation' rather than editing.

I need to look into printing services aswell, as that is something I have no experience of - I'm assuming like most things they vary wildly in cost/value/quality...

Thanks.

[CarMac]

If you don't mind waiting a couple of days, a lot of people on here will recommend PhotoBox. They're cheap, good quality and excellent service. Good luck with it all. Hope you manage to get some good photos sorted and a good outcome to the whole episode.

Just noticed you're in Leeds. Check your email !

Edited by CarMac on Monday 12th November 06:57

[Tuna]

snotrag said:

Cheers guys - I dont know the actual wording of the letter, its at home and Im at Uni, my mother opened it. Going home this weekend to sort it.

Just to add.. it may well be worth ringing them and asking for advice. They're not (really) there to make your life difficult, so just ask them what they expect and tell them that (a) you can't afford a photographer and (b) you don't know where to get the right sort of photos taken. They might be able to offer some advice.

Finally - the high street portrait places might be able to do a handful of small prints at a suprisingly reasonable price. Try ringing a couple and tell them what you need. Nothing ventured and all that.

[snotrag]

Carmac - thanks.

Yes, obviously I'm going to have a read of the letter myself and re-assess...
I'll enquire at some portrait places aswell like you say.