Self Potrait

sawdust · 20-01-2007, 21:14

Shot this in my imprvised studio Must get a decent model and lights feel free to put me right on all aspects of the shot

**stepheno** · 20-01-2007, 22:16

I've not tried this so who am I to criticise

But......I think the outer frame is too big and I think you should have been standing with space in front of you not behind you - either move or a slightly different crop. That's all....good effort

Charlotte · 20-01-2007, 22:35

Forgive me for being flippant sawdust, but it looks like you're counting the hairs on your chest

My advice would be to re-do the shoot making sure you're not looking down; move the lighting nearer to the camera (not off to the side) so that you're evenly lit, as your shadow is covering the R side of the pic here. Hope this helps

Mr Blue Sky · 21-01-2007, 00:15

i think this might work well as a mono?

skipper954 · 21-01-2007, 04:55

Hi Sawdust

I agree with what everyone has said here about pose, lighting and position in the frame.

In addition, it is a bit difficult to relate to this image because I can't understand what you are doing. Are you holding a shirt, towel? And why?

Frequently an image is interesting because of its ambiguity or mystery, but that just isn't happening here, at least not for me.

But, self ports are very difficult to pull off, and I applaud you for trying!

skip

sawdust · 21-01-2007, 13:15

Thanks all will give it another go with what you have said once again thanks I realy dose help

Les Meehan · 21-01-2007, 15:27

Sawdust
I have to disagree with Charlotte's suggestion of moving the light closer to the camera. This will 'flatten' the lighting and reduce the rendition of your body (six pack lost).

What this shot needs is actually some fill-in light. The best way would be some form of white bedsheet or other white item hung to the right (as you look from camera, left of you yourself) of you to reflect soft light into the shadows.

Don't be tempted to use a second light for this until you know what you are doing. Most lighting problems I see in shots is that too many lights are used when it is obvious that the person doesn't have the expertise to control them.

If you are tempted by a second light, plAce it to the right (your left) and behind you so it creates a 'rim-light' down the left side of your figure. This will accentuate the line of your torso. For a softer rim-light, bounce this second light into the white sheet placed behind and to one side.

Oh, and it isn't sharp!

Anyone want a tutorial on lighting?

Rob Barron · 21-01-2007, 15:36

Interesting idea Sawdust but like Skip I can't quite get into the mindset of what this image is trying to achieve. I know it's a self-portrait but other than that I am not quite in the flow on this one. But I definitely think you should carry on trying with it and see what you come up with. I admire you for trying and if it makes you feel better, I couldn't do this shot.... I'd need a wider angle lens than I possess to get my belly in!

Cheers,
Rob

Charlotte · 21-01-2007, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Les Meehan

.........Anyone want a tutorial on lighting?

Yes please

skipper954 · 21-01-2007, 16:01

Lighting is so critical. It takes a lot of thought and study, at least for me, and I for one, would love a good, understandable tutorial!

skip

sawdust · 21-01-2007, 21:48

Thanks for the comments Les I was working under a bit of a ristriction on this one 7ft of room one lamp and that was a standard lamp from the living room

the camera was set on self timer so had to run round to get in the shot went on E bay today that should put things right {remote, 2 lamps} not sure how to focus nothing in front of camera

any way more shots will be taken and posted for your Critique.
All the best Alan

Charlotte · 22-01-2007, 00:41

Looks like you want to experiment sawdust, but need a little direction + purpose here? Not sure what you were after, doing this shot, whether you were experimenting with lighting, or whether you wanted a self portrait. I think the former. If so, then you made it rather difficult for yourself, kinda like wanting to act in the movie + direct it as well, but not really sure how to do either

Can I suggest that you set up a simple still life to experiment with lighting - this is exactly what I want to do myself at present ... still getting a round tuit

Just objects of interest (to you, so you can 'identify with them') on a table to start off with, + experiment with arranging them, or even just one item, e.g. an apple or something round would be good for a start. If I'm on the wrong track of what you want to do here, then just ignore this

Or if it's specifically portrait (people) you want to do, perhaps you could find a willing subject (a family member perhaps) to pose for you?

skipper954 · 22-01-2007, 01:14

Yup. self portraits are incredibly difficult, as you found out.

I would move on to something else.

skip

20-01-2007, 21:14	#1 (permalink)
sawdust Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ashby de la zouch Leicestershire Posts: 700	Self Potrait Shot this in my imprvised studio Must get a decent model and lights feel free to put me right on all aspects of the shot

20-01-2007, 22:16	#2 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,489	Re: Self Potrait I've not tried this so who am I to criticise But......I think the outer frame is too big and I think you should have been standing with space in front of you not behind you - either move or a slightly different crop. That's all....good effort

20-01-2007, 22:35	#3 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,704	Re: Self Potrait Forgive me for being flippant sawdust, but it looks like you're counting the hairs on your chest My advice would be to re-do the shoot making sure you're not looking down; move the lighting nearer to the camera (not off to the side) so that you're evenly lit, as your shadow is covering the R side of the pic here. Hope this helps

21-01-2007, 00:15	#4 (permalink)
Mr Blue Sky Been here a while Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: York Posts: 429	Re: Self Potrait i think this might work well as a mono?

21-01-2007, 04:55	#5 (permalink)
skipper954 Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southeast Florida USA Posts: 1,721	Re: Self Potrait Hi Sawdust I agree with what everyone has said here about pose, lighting and position in the frame. In addition, it is a bit difficult to relate to this image because I can't understand what you are doing. Are you holding a shirt, towel? And why? Frequently an image is interesting because of its ambiguity or mystery, but that just isn't happening here, at least not for me. But, self ports are very difficult to pull off, and I applaud you for trying! skip

21-01-2007, 13:15	#6 (permalink)
sawdust Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ashby de la zouch Leicestershire Posts: 700	Re: Self Potrait Thanks all will give it another go with what you have said once again thanks I realy dose help

21-01-2007, 15:27	#7 (permalink)
Les Meehan Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: I conduct workshops in Andalucia, Spain Posts: 778	Re: Self Potrait Sawdust I have to disagree with Charlotte's suggestion of moving the light closer to the camera. This will 'flatten' the lighting and reduce the rendition of your body (six pack lost). What this shot needs is actually some fill-in light. The best way would be some form of white bedsheet or other white item hung to the right (as you look from camera, left of you yourself) of you to reflect soft light into the shadows. Don't be tempted to use a second light for this until you know what you are doing. Most lighting problems I see in shots is that too many lights are used when it is obvious that the person doesn't have the expertise to control them. If you are tempted by a second light, plAce it to the right (your left) and behind you so it creates a 'rim-light' down the left side of your figure. This will accentuate the line of your torso. For a softer rim-light, bounce this second light into the white sheet placed behind and to one side. Oh, and it isn't sharp! Anyone want a tutorial on lighting? __________________ Les Meehan www.zone2tone.co.uk www.creativeinsightworkshops.com

21-01-2007, 15:36	#8 (permalink)
Rob Barron Loves the place Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poole, Dorset Posts: 5,115	Re: Self Potrait Interesting idea Sawdust but like Skip I can't quite get into the mindset of what this image is trying to achieve. I know it's a self-portrait but other than that I am not quite in the flow on this one. But I definitely think you should carry on trying with it and see what you come up with. I admire you for trying and if it makes you feel better, I couldn't do this shot.... I'd need a wider angle lens than I possess to get my belly in! Cheers, Rob

21-01-2007, 16:01	#10 (permalink)
skipper954 Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southeast Florida USA Posts: 1,721	Re: Self Potrait Lighting is so critical. It takes a lot of thought and study, at least for me, and I for one, would love a good, understandable tutorial! skip

21-01-2007, 21:48	#11 (permalink)
sawdust Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ashby de la zouch Leicestershire Posts: 700	Re: Self Potrait Thanks for the comments Les I was working under a bit of a ristriction on this one 7ft of room one lamp and that was a standard lamp from the living room the camera was set on self timer so had to run round to get in the shot went on E bay today that should put things right {remote, 2 lamps} not sure how to focus nothing in front of camera any way more shots will be taken and posted for your Critique. All the best Alan

22-01-2007, 00:41	#12 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,704	Re: Self Potrait Looks like you want to experiment sawdust, but need a little direction + purpose here? Not sure what you were after, doing this shot, whether you were experimenting with lighting, or whether you wanted a self portrait. I think the former. If so, then you made it rather difficult for yourself, kinda like wanting to act in the movie + direct it as well, but not really sure how to do either Can I suggest that you set up a simple still life to experiment with lighting - this is exactly what I want to do myself at present ... still getting a round tuit Just objects of interest (to you, so you can 'identify with them') on a table to start off with, + experiment with arranging them, or even just one item, e.g. an apple or something round would be good for a start. If I'm on the wrong track of what you want to do here, then just ignore this Or if it's specifically portrait (people) you want to do, perhaps you could find a willing subject (a family member perhaps) to pose for you? __________________ Work Smarter, Not Harder

22-01-2007, 01:14	#13 (permalink)
skipper954 Feet under the table Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southeast Florida USA Posts: 1,721	Re: Self Potrait Yup. self portraits are incredibly difficult, as you found out. I would move on to something else. skip

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