I was working on some self-portraits. Well, that is not entirely true, I was working on trying to get some shadows PERFECT and it was going perfectly wrong, so this turned into some self portraits just to see what the light looked like. You tell I was frustrated because I took my hat off. Anyway, I think I got an idea of what I was doing wrong and can’t wait to try the actual project again.
That stated, I’ve come to enjoy working on self-portraits. Aside from all the other stuff I’ve posted about the benefits of doing them such gaining a better empathy with your subjects and getting a better idea as to how to explain things, it also feels good to just put all your photography skill towards yourself. It’s testing what skills you have against yourself and fail or succeed the only person you have to blame is yourself.
Not to mention that most photographers prefer to be behind the camera, and this is also true for myself. However, it is a good confidence booster knowing I can take good photos of myself. Do not get me wrong, I’m no model but I do have some photos of myself that look sharp and that I am happy with.
And if I can get my photos to make me feel happy then I can do that for others.
These photos were done with a single light, no modifier. A black backdrop and a fold up table with a black sheet on it. So Low key lighting. Sitting down changes the way the posing worked some allowing me to get into positions comfortably that might be uncomfortable standing. Plus, I am 6 feet 2 inches tall, so standing poses are a pain to process. I usually have tall people sit down when a backdrop is involved and that is generally why most of my pictures, when I post them, are of me sitting.