talkmagic.co.uk

Wow that's great. That'll do as a stop gap!!! Started looking at a mate of mine's portfolio earlier tonight, may get her to do them at a semi-reasonable price!!!!

Or this:



B

I was going to go on that Ireland's got talent too but then i thought that the judge's would think little of 'magic tricks' as apposed to acrobats,dancers and musicians.When is your section?

The work in photoshop has improved the picture...

But I can't help but think you look a little grumpy...

Sorry - I don't mean to offend but merely mean to offer some constructive criticism: I don't think potential clients will be persuaded to hire you by that photo.

All the best.

I agree with Josh I'm afraid. Why not try something a little lighter hearted and fun. Unless you're a really well known name, people will judge you on the photo that they see, it's probabaly one of the most important part of any promotional material. If they don't like the photo, it's not going to matter how good the rest of the site is, they wont look any further.

You need something that's warm and inviting, something that says to people 'you really want to hire me for your wedding'.

Please dont just manipulate the image digitaly.

Make up, and correct lighting will give a much more natural image.
this can then be tweeked digitaly if needed.

and, by using a small amount of make up, you can appear to be the same in real life, as you do in the photos.

Which is a big plus, when you suffer fom zits.

Which, if you dont mind me saying, you do.

oh, and try to smile .

Not with the mouth, but with the eyes. I hate to say it, but you look dead miserable in the photos.

Agree with Lommy and Dale - honestly, I'd re-think what you're trying to do with the photograph.

A good photograph could be a massive boon to your website/webcard/whatever, but it needs a bit of thought, and would ideally be done by a professional but even if you're not going to go pro, you can think carefully about what it needs to achieve.

I can see your line of thinking... "I need a photo of me. And I should make it look all mysterious and mentalism-y." But your photo says so much more - are you a fun person, a happy person, a friendly person - are they going to have a good time if they hire you? Even mentalists with austere looking images often have a wry smile on their faces which suggests fun and approachability.

I think you've opened yourself up to quite a lot of "feedback" here Harry so I want to be gentle, but I really do think that unless you are an older, well established mentalist who can pull off a stern mysterious gaze, you run a high risk of your photo looking a bit like a petulant or sulky faced youngster, which is exactly what I wouldn't want if I was looking to hire an entertainer. And with all due respect (because youre clearly getting out there, performing, promoting yourself etc. which is great) this is what I see when I look at those photos, even the photoshopped ones.

My suggestions in order of preference would be:
1) a professional photo with correct make-up, lighting and use of props that would manage to maintain an air of mystery whilst making you look like a fun and likeable entertainer.

2) An action shot of someone reacting well or some involved situation (i.e. their hands sandwiched between yours as you bend or coin or some such); you having a smile and an air of confidence, showing you really do work well with people.

3) No photo at all.


Dale's thing about smiley eyes is great advice - practice holding something over your nose/mouth/lower face and smiling with the eyes - you feel stupid but it's probably worth it!

All the best

After all your abuse, sorry, advice I'm making moves to get a pro shoot earlier than intended!!! Thanks all I appreciate it, it's great that the forum as a whole gives an honest opinion!!!

On the smiling thing, due to a severe loss in the genetic lottery, I have two faces, my axe murderer (on display) and my pedo smile (not on display for obvious reasons!!!) I'll have my site up as soon as my hosting company stop fecking around and you can start to disembowel that then!!!

Don't worry mate, I feel your pain - I simply cannot smile in photos. If people catch me off-guard, from across the room, they can very occasionally preserve an OK smile or laugh in picture form. Otherwise I look totally sleazy or stoned off my face

If you're not happy with your 'camera smile', although a decent photographer should be able to get you into a decent pose, why not try an action shot or you looking through some ESP cards perhaps?

Funny you say that Lady of Mystery....

I have an awful time smiling myself in photos, so the photography told me to simply perform to her while she shot pics...the flash was rolling and simply shuffling, cutting, colourchangin, etc, was enough to get me to relax and I was impressed with what she got out of it.

Her idea was that thinking about relaxing and smiling is in itself stressful for some, so occupy your mind and body with something fun (no bingo here please) and you will get a natural relaxed smile that is trule a picture of "you"

There is nothing like being touched up by a professional to put a smile on your face - but as others have said, that costs money


(sorry - couldn't resist it)