Self Portraits (not mirror) how and why!

[PaulDalex]

This is where the AF came handy to me. I think it was 2002.

I needed a selfportrait for my (NONPHOTOGRAPHIC) site.

I used the Maxxum 9 with 100 2,8 on tripod. I sat in front of it after framing carefully, the remote in my hand. NO SELFTIMER.
The selftimer make me nervous and prevent a relaxed expression

Behind me was a pillar which I covered with a white beach towel.

I set the on camera flash compensation at about -2.

Each time I shoot I pressed the remote halfway and I asked my significant other to advise me as soon as she could see a bright red square in the eyepiece, meaning that the AF had focused, and then pressed all the way.

No retouch in PS (except for dust). Cropping yes of course because of the design of the html page. To the horror of the purists of RFF I made a background redo using a painting of a stormy sea.

(there is another redo actually: because I have artrosys everywhere and particularly at my neck, which must be always warm, I had the collar of the aloha shirt substituted with a higher one)

 

[PaulDalex]

Forgot to say that I was in the open: in a terrace.
As I remember in shadow.
So the flash was for filling purposes.

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I don't find anything wrong with self-portraits using a mirror. I have shot a couple of them over the last few years, both in hotel rooms, and what I try to do is incorporate my surroundings in the shots. I find that much more interesting than just my image in a mirror. What is cool is that both of those shots were done with rangefinder cameras, which I don't own anymore- a Contax G1 and a Bessa R3A.

Other than that, I would never point a camera at myself and take a shot. I hate having my picture taken by anyone, including myself. I run if a camera is pointed at me.😱

 

[delft]

This thread made me change my avatar.
Done with a pinhole, so no focussing problems, just had to keep still for 30 seconds or so.

Greetings,
Dirk

 

[ducttape]

Self

Self

I agree, a picture of ones self in a mirror is a self portrait, but unless you always see yourself with a camera, it probably isn't a 'good' one. A portrait should, imo, reflect how the person is seen, or, wants to be seen.

I've noticed the explosion of portraits with tilted heads and in some cases even reaching arms to the corner of the frame. All since digitals started being bundled with phones. Seems to be an offshoot of the facebook generation.

But, being 2 generations away from there ('oh dad, you are so square') I've shot self portraits for some of the reasons mentioned above. With hindsight the best reason I think is to tie me to where I was at the moment.

Both examples here are automobile related. Both taken with rangefinders, both with very wide lenses (I have the exact specs someplace. For sure 25mm, maybe the 15mm Voigtlander, from the looks of it.)

This first is two very big guys wearing very bulky winter clothing in a MINI Cooper. We were driving the James Bay Road to Hudson Bay, October 2002.

This second is one I really like. I've printed it and enjoy the way I've played with it in Photoshop too. It's driving down NYS Route 202 on 02/02/2002 in my BMW 2002tii. For those not familiar, there is a lot of window in a 2002. I used Photoshop to change it to more of a watercolor effect. In the final print I cut more of the roof out and made the image more rectangular.

David

 

[helen.HH]

Moi......😱

 

[Migracer]

Why dont we smile?

Why dont we smile?

My wife has pointed this out time and time again and I noticed it in these postings. When shooting self portraits alone, we seem to need to show our serious face. When some one else is in the picture or present remind us to smile, we do. In retrospect it is amazing that Karyn was able to see through my serious face and see the smile with in.

 

[helen.HH]

the Major thing I LOVE about Film is its very Forgiving, Subtle & Atmospheric
and sooo Important in taking Portraits / Self portraits

something Digital somewhat lacks for me

With love & Good Cheer- H

 

[ferider]

The only one with no mirror (or is there ? 🙂 ) I found is

Digital though 🙂

Roland.

 

[bmattock]

I was thinking about F. Holland Day - a quick Google led me to this interesting article.

NY TImes: Self-Portraits That Obscure the Self

 

[Bob Michaels]

Cindy Sherman's book "untitled movie stills" is the most creative work of self portraiture I have seen. (sorry, Lee Friedlander). Several people have looked at my copy and when 1/3 or 1/2 way though the book have asked if it is the same person in all the photos.

 

[JeremyLangford]

 

[Doug]

I've seen Cindy Sherman's work, and it's amazing (obsessive?). I've wondered why she chose herself as subject, but then (as already suggested) what other model would be so patient on demand? And surely she must have enjoyed the role-playing too.

I've taken a few selfies as part of another person's environment, such as in the dental chair and getting a haircut. I usually try to arrange a local haircut when off on vacation, and documenting that generally involves a mirror.

 

[RayPA]

ultra-serious faced gratuitous photographer mirror shot 😛:

/

 

[bmattock]

Found another one. Hehehehe...

 

[Leica All Day]

Interesting thread....I often take self portraits of myself using a screw in timer and a table top tripod or my domke bag for support....Why do I do it? Well, I often find myself living/working/traveling in cool and interesting places and I am usually alone and I want some photos of myself in those places...I have lived and worked a couple of times over the last 10 years at an interesting bookstore in Paris, Shakespeare and Co. and whenever I am there, I take photos of myself....it is a special place for me...

cheers, michael

 

[amoz]

Great one, Keith!!

 

[skinnyvoice]

I've always liked Lee Friedlander's 'Self Portrait' book from 1970 and recently had a Friedlander moment (hopefully...):

 

[Michael P.]

Very nice. I like this a lot. How do you focus? Hyperfocal distance?

 

[Al Kaplan]

I shoot most of mine with a 15mm Heliar on my Bessa L. Even wide open at f/4.5 the depth of field is from less than 1 meter to infinity. I mostly just leave it focussed at 1 meter all the time.