Who’s with Me? Self-Portrait No. 1
Posted in Photography
The other day when I previewed my self-portrait project, I forgot to mention that I would love it if anyone would like to join me and share their own self-portraits too. So who’s with me?
This one was taken with the mirror in the car’s sun visor (passenger side). I spend a lot of time looking in the car mirrors, not at myself, but at my kids in the backseat—always checking who’s with me.
And speaking of who is (or isn’t) with me, I do find that I tend to be more comfortable with photos of myself if there is also someone else in the picture. I say this without making a value judgement. When it comes to these self-portraits that I’m doing, I’m not saying it’s better or even braver to take pictures with just me. And I don’t know yet whether family or friends will end up with me in any of these shots this week. I’m just making an observation that it seems to be easier for me to relax if someone else is sharing the frame. (On a related note, almost without fail I think a group shot is “good” if it is “good” of me, regardless of how everyone else looks. But I think that’s how just about everyone feels.)
Comments
Beth
I have to say, I think this is such a great idea, and I love how your’re thinking about it/discussing it. Plus, what a great pic. Good job!
Bethany
Any tips for self-p’s w/an slr? I find focusing problematic.
ReneeW
I love this a lot. Its also crazy apparent how similar your eyes are to your boys.
RT
This is a fabulous shot, Renae! I love it!
Jen
Agreed with everything said. However, just can’t make myself do it. I tried a few shots this morning, but could only post the one of my shadow or my feet. I don’t think that was the point.
I will happily check your picture every single day, though.
RT
I’d like to comment on your great haircut: your haircut is… great.
Bethany
I wondered if you got a cut! It looks super awesome (what is visible, at least).
Renae
@All of you who said nice things— Thank you! You made me feel good today.
@Bethany—I have NO idea. I just take a lot of shots and try to adjust as I go along. And, yes, trouble focusing, but I’m also pretty lost whatever I try—angle of reflection, for example, which has nothing to to with my camera but my lack of geometry skills. I’m pretty sure there must be a better way to do things than the way I do. I’ll say so if I find any good tricks (and you’ll do the same? not that you need to give away your secrets if they are secret).
@Jen—The point is totally what you make it. My shot for tomorrow is probably akin to a shadow, since you can’t necessarily tell that it’s me. I’m just hoping to make some interesting images. Your comment, and our conversation at church yesterday, started me thinking about doing a similar project with pictures of myself that I like—whether I took them or not. Now that I’m two days into this, I can’t imagine doing one a week—I just can’t think of that many interesting ways to take a photo of myself. I could probably find one photo that I like of myself per week (I mean people have been taking pictures of me for almost 37 years now).
Bethany
Renae, well, today I used a tripod which worked because I was able to focus it on Adeline then set the timer and get in the shot myself, but I am kind of at a loss for how it would work if I were the only person in the shot. Get a stand in and set the focus and then have them move and make sure I stand in precisely the same spot? There has to be a better solution…and I have never been good at “in the mirror” shots. I guess I’ll have to practice this week.
RT
From what I understand, there’s no easy way to get a dSLR to focus if you are the one pushing the button and running to stand in place. I think a remote and a tripod would be the best way to shoot self-portraits.
Bethany
Even with a remote, I’d think the focus issue would remain (unless you were having someone else stand behind it and focus it, in which case the remote becomes unnecessary and it’s kind of no longer a self-portrait). Humph. Do you generally just use mirrors, Bec?
RT
I’m bad with mirrors. I have a highly technical move called “Focus on the Hand” that I’ll demonstrate for you. (It’s not pretty. Nor is it reliable. Consider yourself warned.)