Looking for some pointers/tips here. I am very familiar with the texture making process and have a very good grasp of lighting (as well as great digital camera equipment and lighting tools). I have never tried to make a photorealistic head texture before (object textures, yes; people, no). I am curious as to the method you guys are using for taking "head shots" to use in creating textures.... Such as: - What resolution do you use (if digital) - How far away from the subject to you take the pictures from (for adequate detail - pores, wrinkles) - How many pictures do you usually use for the full wrap around (of all the major head/face details) - How much of the texture is photo and how much do you "paint" on top (aside from touch-ups, of course) - Any other pointers My best friend is actually a male model and I have convinced him to allow me to take pictures of his head for this purpose. Any pointers/tips will be appreciated. - Ray

The real trick is to get a even good lighting as possible. Resolution should be as high as you can go. For the face I set up a tripod turn the camera vertical. Sit them on a piano chair move as close as i can till there face fills up the screen and start clicking. I also use macro mode on the head only. Your going to want to get a front , L side, R side and back . Then eyeballs with fingers pulling them wide as can go. A tounge shot. Then i do a up the face shot and a down the face shot. Meaning raise the tripod up and shoot down getting lots of forehead and then the other way up the nose kind of shot . with head tiped back getting lots of neck and chin. I dont do men but i would suppose you should have him get a good shave unless thats the look you want but thoughs things are easyer to add in then take away. More is better in this case . Yes you can always go back but people dont always look the same day to day . some days they are redder than other some times yellow. I dont know what there hair length is but your going to want it out of the way and as much skin as possible showing.