Many moons ago, it occurred to me that it was time to up-date my on-line image. I like the photo I use but I think something a little friendlier is probably a better choice.
Fortunately, as luck would have it, JVL, the very photographer who took my current photo, had some spare studio time and offered to take another shot at getting the shot. Check out his excellent photo blog here.
Here are the shots he sent me from the shoot. I would love to hear what you folks think. If there is unequivocal support expressed for one shot, I may very well make it my new on-line visual identity.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo 7
If you like what you see, check out JVL’s details by clicking here. If you can, please give him some business. He is talented and deserves your support!
Here is the official poll!
If you have any comments, I’d love to hear them!
Evan Thornton
May 15, 2010
Number 1 is the breakout shot; “Happy Sterling”, I’d call it. The rest are great too ( well, #3 could be improved with a cig dangling off your lower lip ) but the first one is the charm.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Lol! Yes I think number 3 is JVL’s effort to catch my inner Keith Richards.
isaacbickerstaff
May 15, 2010
Photo 1 looks like your head is floating in space with a two dimensional body painted on a backdrop. However, as much as I like the idea of a disembodied Sterling Lynch head floating Unicron-like through space (only spreading aesthetics and contemplation rather than robotic destruction), obviously #3 is the one to go with.
And, if you’d love to hear my comment, might I suggest reading out loud? Preferably in a silly voice.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
I think if I go with number 3, I’d have to ask a stranger to wear my pants to break them in …
isaacbickerstaff
May 15, 2010
Remember: A stranger is a friend who hasn’t worn your pants yet.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Very true!
Moggy
May 15, 2010
I like #1 best by a long shot…it’s friendly but professional. Really, really nice.
But my impressions of the others:
#2: This would be my second shot…it’s still somehow ‘you’ but more formal.
#3: This one made me giggle…I’m not sure how to put this in a diplomatic way but, ummm, I don’t think a slackjaw look is the one you wanna portray to the world.
#4: Great shot but it’s not…hmmm. It just doesn’t feel like YOU somehow. It’s maybe too formal?
#5: I like this one but I think a more focused head shot is somehow better for a general internet presence type shot. And as I was typing this, somehow I just realized I never answered your e-mail about dropping stuff off at the store today…oh my gawd, brain dead…I’m so sorry. Rough week here!
#6: Great shot but not interesting enough composition or something…damn but you’re photogenic. That ain’t fair! A photo shoot like this for me would result in maybe one usable shot. Grumble.
#7: Also a great shot but just a little too much “byline on a newspaper” somehow.
Any of that helpful at all?
Really cool that you were able to get all these done…Von will be jealous when he sees this. My attempts to get him shots for the site never turn out as nicely as these…you know, little digital camera vs. professional and all.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Great response! Thank you, Moggy! I think much of JVL’s talent lies in the fact that he makes it SEEM like I’m photogenic. Perhaps, he and Von could swap some photos for some design work.
Heather
May 15, 2010
Sterling, I agree with Isaac–I like your face in #1 but it does look a little disembodied. #2 is my favourite with #4 a close second.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Heather! Thank you for your comment! Very helpful!
nadinethornhill
May 15, 2010
Number #1 is my hands-down favourite. This disembodied-ness didn’t strike me until I read the previous comments and still doesn’t bother me. Worst-case scenario, you can crop it.
Number #3 would probably give newcomers here the wrong impression. That having been said, I love that it’s here. It reminds me that you don’t take yourself too seriously, which is awesomely awesome!
Number #4 has a glint of something sinister. In number #5 you’re all up in my grill sinister. Chilling!
Number #6 reminds me a LOT of your current photo, but in colour.
Number #7 makes me think you’d do well as the host of an investigative news journal on CBC Television.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Thanks Nadine! Very helpful! And the suggestion to crop may be the solution. And thanks! I also think I would do well as a host. If only I wasn’t some damn inarticulate.
Wife to husband: I trust that young man but it is strange that he insists on speaking with cotton in his mouth.
Chantale
May 15, 2010
#1 or #5
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Thanks Chantale!
Matthew Dentith
May 15, 2010
#5, especially since it makes me think that with your next trick you will take over the world.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Lol! Yes it does have that kind of a feel.
Matthew Dentith
May 15, 2010
Well, I always did think that you would make a fairly good overlord.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Ah Matthew, that may be the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.
Matthew Dentith
May 17, 2010
Just don’t let it go to your head; that there is the path to evil overlordship, my friend…
Erika Morey
May 15, 2010
My favourites are number one and number two – they are the only ones where your eyes are smiling
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Thanks, Erika! I see what you mean. My eyes have been doing a lot of that lately…
Bryn
May 15, 2010
If you’re looking for friendly, #1 is the only way to go.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Thanks, Bryn!
Erika Morey
May 15, 2010
(And do ignore the typo)
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Corrected!
Mervi
May 15, 2010
Voted for #2, but #3 is a win cause the laugh I had.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Thanks, Mervi! It is a bit of a snicker.
samantha
May 15, 2010
good shots! I like the professional touch of 5 a lot. its very cool and quirky too. i think that would be my choice, considering the oddball plays you come up with. hmm, but as you have many sides sterling perhaps you would suit the more genuine close up face shot, less stylized. Plenty of nice face shots to choose from, one and two are both nice.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Thanks Sam! Useful thoughts. It makes me wonder if I should aim for a shot with a bit more of a spin on it — like #5
Ann
May 15, 2010
1 or 5.
sterlinglynch
May 15, 2010
Thanks Ann! I hope all is well down in K/W!
Von Allan
May 16, 2010
I’d go with number 5 myself, but I don’t like the lighting on it. The problem, I think, is the cast shadow around your eyes. It really shows the structure of your orbital bones; this can be neat but, in this case, comes across as slightly menacing. Certainly not warm. I’m kinda wondering what a similar shot, but this time with the light source at the lower left instead of the upper left, would do for it.
sterlinglynch
May 16, 2010
Thanks Von! Valuable!
brittneyfg
May 17, 2010
Love number 5. I think it shows a lot of personality and is more of a make-a-statement kind of picture. Also like number 2, it’s a really nice picture but offers less of a point of view, I think.
Number 1 is actually my absolute least favourite because your face is largely out of focus/in soft focus. I don’t get the disembodied head feeling, but I do feel like all the attention is drawn to your forehead instead of to your eyes. Which are obviously more important.
Just my thoughts…
sterlinglynch
May 17, 2010
Thanks for your thoughts, BFG! Useful, as always!
miklev
May 18, 2010
Oh yes, number 5. Love the shadows and the pronounced frontal lobe. This photo tells me that you know something I don’t, and I wanna know what that something is.
sterlinglynch
May 18, 2010
Thanks Mike! This is the second time I’ve been very tempted to make the ” or are you just happy to see me” joke about protruding bone structure.
Sarah
May 22, 2010
I love the idea of number 5, but I hate the lighting of 5, I find the shadows under your eyes (due to lighting) unflattering, and you look scary/creepy.
Sorry to be so blunt.
I like photos 2 & 4 best.
sterlinglynch
May 22, 2010
Honest feedback is always welcome, wanted, and useful! Thanks!
Tony Tsai
June 4, 2010
You should smile more in your photos, but not too much. Photo 2 is the best, it makes you look less like someone who strangles prostitutes. Photo 7 looks like an ad for STI medication. “Thanks to Herpex, my herpes flair ups are now under control!”
sterlinglynch
June 4, 2010
It’s true! And after only three treatments. Herpex really works!
Sterling Lynch
November 1, 2010
Many months later, I finally respond to the power of voting. #2 was the clear winner with 12 votes. Photo # 5, a dark horse I think, came from nowhere to collect second place with 7 votes.
You can now see my face, as selected by you, in action here: http://ca.linkedin.com/in/sterlinglynch