<p>Okay, this falls under the "why didn't we do this weeks ago?" heading. I'm kicking myself now. We just got my D's headshots printed yesterday and the quality is terrible. We didn't have any good photo-editing software and wouldn't really know how to use it if we did, so I emailed a copy to my nephew for re-touching. It looked all right on screen, but apparently in the emailing back and forth, it affected the overall quality. In large 8 x 10 form you can still see her face, but it's kind of grainy or pixelated. Although I'm sure a poor quality headshot won't make or break her if they love her audition, it's still another thing to stress about.</p>
<p>We were originally going to use her headshot from her school musical last year because it's already re-touched and looks great, but the one the photographer picked was an over-the-shoulder shot rather than full-face. Would it be better to print a few of those or just go with the bad one we already have? She's leaving for NY in the morning.</p>
<p>I would go with the headshot that is the best quality, just as long as it still looks like she does today. (i.e. in the headshot you use, hair should be the general length/style, etc).</p>
<p>What was the file size of the headshot before you sent it to your nephew? If you open the original file and place your cursor over the photo without clicking on the mouse, it should give you the info on the file (name of the file, type, size dimension). If you right click on the picture, you can also look at the properties. If you nephew does the same on his end, he can see if his retouched file is the same size or smaller. I’m no techie, but I know enough to be dangerous. If it was still a good high res file after he retouched it, maybe the email program automatically reduced the file size somehow on its way back to you ( i don’t know if that happens, just guessing). Maybe he could try putting the headshot (I’m assuming it is a jpeg or png file) in a folder, then sending it to a compressed (zipped) folder and emailing the zipped folder, it will compress the file, but when you extract it from the zip file on your end, it should preserve the file size and resolution. I hope this makes sense! </p>
<p>If you can’t resolve the issue with the retouched one, I’m sure folks here will have good advice on which one to use. I’d print some of the over the shoulder one and the low res retouched one and look at them side by side. Also print the original of the file you sent your nephew and see how it stacks up even though it is not retouched. Until you see all three side by side, you won’t know. In the end, they want to see a photo of your daughter as she looks. It doesn’t have to be a high end, super retouched headshot like she is likely to have in a couple of years.</p>
<p>My understanding - and experienced posters, please correct me if I’m wrong!! - is that the purpose of the headshot is to help the auditors remember you when later on, they’re all sitting around a table, making admissions decisions. Some college programs specifically say that “a professional headshot is not required, just a good full-face photo that looks like you.”</p>
<p>Once you’re out in the “real world,” I believe that headshots become a LOT more critical. Casting directors may thumb through a stack of 100s, if not many 100s, of headshots, in search of an actor with “the look” they want for a particular job. In that case, the headshot may be what gets you in the door. In the case of college auditions - you’re already in the door! </p>
<p>“Break a Leg" to your daughter this weekend at Unifieds!</p>
<p>If you can’t fix the one the way CollegeSearchDad told you (or some other way), go with the old head shot. Don’t use a horrible new one just because it 's an over the shoulder look. The auditors couldn’t care less if it’s over the shoulder or full face. Go with the really nice quality shot - don’t use the really bad quality one.</p>
<p>The headshot I used was not a professional one at all, just a sunny, well-lit picture taken by my sister on her higher-quality digital camera. It worked fine for me, and some auditors even gave compliments. If the university’s directions specifically ask for full-face, take a nice full-face shot with a camera and just print those off, and if they don’t, then just bring some resumes with the over-the-shoulder if that will make you feel more comfortable.</p>
<p>Thanks, CollegeSearchDad, I will definitely check that when I have a minute. That would never have occurred to me and you could be right. For now we’re going with printing different shots, but if we’re ever in a similar situation again I’ll know to check on things like file sizes before spending money on printing.</p>
<p>MomofTheaterGirl, If you were using a program like Apple Mail to mail the headshot, it may have been compressed in the process (you have to select “full” size.) If you still have the original large size digital image it could be re-edited. If you’re desperate, PM me-- I can help you with it.</p>
<p>Thank you for the advice and support, everyone. Why didn’t I just come here and ask beforehand which one would be best to use? I should know better than that. Oh well, lesson learned.</p>
<p>D’s home from rehearsal and is on her way to go get better ones printed now.</p>
<p>Just got back from BU audition and there were kids with no headshots at all, some with a small 4 x 6 photocopied to an 8x10 piece of paper, some that were professionally done and others a shot that mom or dad took at home. Didn’t seem to faze the auditors. </p>
<p>At BU, they put all the freshmen’s headshots up on a bulletin board at the beginning of the school year. According to my son, who was a student there, each year some of the admitted students had headshots that were small.</p>
<p>Don’t stress if you can’t get it arranged to headshot style. I don’t think auditors care. They need the photo so they can identify the auditioners. A regular-sized photo is fine. Some colleges even say this outright. :-)</p>