self-portraits 101.

Did you know that self-portraits are rather difficult? No, I don't mean the kind where you hold the camera out in front of your face with both hands, stick on your cheesiest grin, and blink in the flash that captures shiny hair and your outstretched arms.

Nope, I mean the kind that are creative, focused, and well-lighted. The kind that don't even look like a self-portrait. :]

I don't really like to take tons of pictures of myself, mainly because I don't need to. Who does? ;) But, photography-skills-enhancing, creative, good quality self-portraits are another matter, and I try to practice with them even if I don't end up keeping the photos.

As a sort of "photography portfolio," I thought I would show you some of my most recent works that have turned out alright. I have a few in black-and-white, and then their copies in color--tell me which ones are your faves! :]

I love natural light. That is why I do most of my photography outside. Lighting that comes from the side, especially--back light is also an addiction of mine. I love the way black-and-white photos enhance the back light and make everything whiter, more crisp. The color version of this ^ photo is below.

 

My serious face. :] I kinda like the way this ^ one turned out; I personally like the black and white version better.  Oh-- :) linking the black-and-white one up to:

 

I like the way this ^ one focused--I feel like my eyes stand out as much as they're supposed to, but not too much (as is sometimes the case). This is a pretty background that I just had to make the most of. ;)

Okay, ^ pretty amatuer--you can kinda tell this is a self-taken shot. Not to mention the silly un-pro face. ;) But it turned out pretty clear, which is always a step, and somehow this seems pretty me. ;) Maybe a little more goofy than usual..maybe. ;)

I don't think I should have rounded the edges here--I can see how cutting off some of my face sort of ruined the pose. Also, the background..yeah, a little too woodsy for me. :] I guess this is an example of what not to do. I sort of like the coloring, though..

This ^ is a good example of front-light. Makes me look a little pale, but I like the pink tones and full, leafy background. One good thing about practicing photography on myself is I can scout out good backgrounds for future "actual person" photoshoots. :D

^ This is a more unique one. ;) Experimenting with a plain background and indoor-lighting here, as well as a second object in the foreground. Hmm. Weird-ish, aye? :o)

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In case anyone's wondering, my camera is a point-and-shoot Nikon which rarely focuses and also rarely turns on, actually. :] So, as amatuer as these may be, I gave myself a pat on the back for managing clear(ish) photos at all. ;)