Digitals: The What, Why & How

When talking with agencies and clients, you may be requested to provide a set of 'digitals' (formerly called 'polaroids' in the pre-digital age since they were taken with ... well, polaroid cameras).

Digitals are nothing more than simple, plain photos of yourself: minimal (if any) makeup, no editing, no filters, no special lighting. Generally, they include a headshot, close up, three quarter and full length from both front and side.

"OMG, why would agencies and clients want such images?"

Model portfolios are for the most part full of amazing and incredible images; the end result of tireless work by photographers, stylists, makeup artists, retouchers, hair stylists, lighting specialists, wardrobe stylists and of course the model.

What designers, creative directors, makeup artists, photographers and stylists really want to see, however, is the real you - the 'blank canvass' so to speak. But just because digitals are a representation of you as a blank canvass doesn't mean there aren't ways to make them look professional and attractive to potential designers and directors.

Keep it simple

There's no need to invest in a professional photographer to get an amazing set of digitals. The cameras on most current phones are more than good enough for such images.

Selfies are out! Don't try and take the images yourself nor your reflection in a mirror. Get a friend instead to take them. Make sure that the images are shot on a horizontal plane - in other words, make sure the camera is straight on to you the subject, and not tilted up or down. It can make you look either too tall or too short and disproportionate.

On the subject of angles and proportions, make sure you stand as straight on and symmetrical as possible. If you want to include angles that's fine, but make sure they're exaggerated. That way the observer can see that its an angle and not some weird condition where one shoulder is higher than the other, or that your left knee is slightly bent backwards.

Be aware of the background. The less 'noise' the better. Try and photograph yourself in front of a plain white or off-white wall. Don't photograph yourself in front of a window, a half open roller door, or an open wardrobe!

Wear clothes that will highlight and accentuate your body shape and facial features rather than detract from them. For example, don't wear an oversized, baggy t-shirt. Swimwear (plain black bikinis for women and black trunks for men) is often the best choice for digitals, but if you are uncomfortable in a bikini then black Lycra leggings or shorts and a black crop top will work perfectly well for women.

Take two sets of four images - front and side on at full length, three quarter length, closeup and headshot.

Whatever you do, don't apply a filter!

Remember, the point of the digital is for the team who are likely to cast you to see you, the real you.

As tempting as it may be in the Instagram age to apply even the most subtle of filter, DON'T DO IT. The people who will be looking at your images have been looking at images every day for years. They can tell in a heartbeat what has been digitally altered.

Besides if you turn up to a go see, casting or worse, the job, and you don't look like your digitals, then you will have wasted everybody's time.

 

Don't be afraid to ask for help

If you are having difficulty getting your digitals right, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always happy to provide a critique and guidance on making your images work. Even better, pop along to an open studio and have one of our photographers shoot your digitals for you.