Today’s prompt for Blogtember states, “A Self Portrait’.
This was my recommendation for Jenni when she announced another monthly change and I was so happy to see it included. I love taking self portraits because it has really helped improve my skill and push myself further creatively. When it comes to taking self portraits there are no excuses and that is why I continue to do them. I cannot postpone it because my model was a no show and I have been able to do these where ever I have been in my travels, including in the middle of Pompeii in Italy.
My Self Portrait Tips:
1. It does not matter what camera you have.
Yes different cameras will give you different results. However give the most skilled photographer a crappy camera and they will still produce an image worthy of art. Focus on the image you want to create.
Yes different cameras will give you different results. However give the most skilled photographer a crappy camera and they will still produce an image worthy of art. Focus on the image you want to create.
2. Be in the moment.
To fully harness your best work and experience the process organically you need to be present. If you are constantly critiquing your work between shots, running back to the camera only to get more frustrated then I say take a moment to refocus. You are photographing an feeling, a mood, an idea, or a message. Not perfection. I have been crying in front of the camera before because I was upset about something. However, I was living this raw moment to be documented.
To fully harness your best work and experience the process organically you need to be present. If you are constantly critiquing your work between shots, running back to the camera only to get more frustrated then I say take a moment to refocus. You are photographing an feeling, a mood, an idea, or a message. Not perfection. I have been crying in front of the camera before because I was upset about something. However, I was living this raw moment to be documented.
3. Give yourself time.
There have been some self portraits that I get a lot of feed back from where I took it in only one or two shots. There are others where I probably spent a good hour and a half from start to finish to get the one shot I needed. The point is to make sure you are not rushed and that you can devote the time you need. Do not rush art.
There have been some self portraits that I get a lot of feed back from where I took it in only one or two shots. There are others where I probably spent a good hour and a half from start to finish to get the one shot I needed. The point is to make sure you are not rushed and that you can devote the time you need. Do not rush art.
4. Find the light.
Lighting can make a good photo and amazing photo. I take a lot of photos in front of the window for natural light. It is a great way for me to get what I want without my neighbors giving me quizzical looks if I were to do it outside. My favourite lighting is overcast skies as the clouds act like a huge diffuser. If you do use a flash on your camera try bouncing the light off a white card attached to your camera to avoid harsh light directly into your face. Experiment and see what works best for the shot.
Lighting can make a good photo and amazing photo. I take a lot of photos in front of the window for natural light. It is a great way for me to get what I want without my neighbors giving me quizzical looks if I were to do it outside. My favourite lighting is overcast skies as the clouds act like a huge diffuser. If you do use a flash on your camera try bouncing the light off a white card attached to your camera to avoid harsh light directly into your face. Experiment and see what works best for the shot.
5. It is okay to ask for help.
I have had family members and friends help me out as assistants on my self portrait shoots. Sometimes its to stand in for me while I focus my camera, to spray me with water, or to make sure my tripod does not fall from where it is positioned. If you yourself have any questions for me I am always a quick tweet away.
I have had family members and friends help me out as assistants on my self portrait shoots. Sometimes its to stand in for me while I focus my camera, to spray me with water, or to make sure my tripod does not fall from where it is positioned. If you yourself have any questions for me I am always a quick tweet away.
Self Portrait Saturday
Normally this would be a post to go up tomorrow and my link up would go live along with it. However for the #Blogtember post I have put it up today and the link up will be available through the next several days. Next week the SPS will continue on Saturdays. I am also going to be reinstating my themes that I did for the Self Portrait Challenge in 2012. This year however I will do just one set theme a month so that the rest of the month does not limit your creativity and vision. Hope to see you around for the furture SPS and make sure to link up this week!
Join Jenni for her Blogtember Challenge!
*Image original to A Compass Rose blog by Bonnie Rose Photography © 2007-2013 All Rights Reserved | www.bonnie-rose.co.uk
