Self portrait attempt 2 C&C plz ;]

[th282]

Trying to get a decent self portrait shot... Let me know what you guys think of this one:
http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx163/th282/IMG_1913-2.jpg?t=1266431901

[Comerfjc]

Looks a little soft, and you generally want to avoid shadows like you're seeing on the background there.

What are you shooting with?

[disjecta]

My own personal philosophy about self portraits is that the shot should reveal something about the photographer. This shot does not reveal anything about you, in my opinion. It's also a little soft and there are ways of getting around this problem. I usually put a light stand in place of where I am going to be in the shot. I then focus on that and try to get a decent depth of field so that there is more room for error if the focus is not completely precise.

You might have been going for some non-traditional framing in this shot but it just feels like a mistake here. The shadow on the wall is distracting to me because it seems like there is a doubling there, like there are two distinct light sources so I find my eye creeping toward the shadows rather than staying on your face.

I would also suggest simplifying what you are wearing. You have many layers and patterns and colors and they are all competing for attention when, really, the attention should be on your face unless what you are wearing says something about you specifically...which I don't think it does in this shot.

Do a search on Flickr or Google and get a sense of what others are doing with self portraiture. A great place to start is looking at some of the great painters like Rembrandt, Van Gogh and, if you are really feeling adventurous, Egon Schiele and Lucian Freud.

Just my 2 cents...

[th282]

Thanks guys. I'm shooting with a 450D straight out the box. 18-55m lens... Thank you for the good advice disjecta. I like the idea of using a light stand to focus on... That I think is the hardest part... focusing without me to focus on haha. You were also correct about different light sources. I was experimenting with my pop up flash (defused with a playing card lol)... as I will soon have to turn in a photo. with a natural and artificial light source. I think next time I will try working with a mirror instead. As far as what I was wearing, you make a great point. The gray from the sweater is distracting from the reds I think? I didn't even think about this part, but will now. It was cold haha.
I WILL get this down hah.

[kaiden]

For me it's mostly that hole in the wall within your shadow, small things like that make or break a good photo if not caught in post, that's just me being over critical that's all.

As for the layers, honestly I feel the pic looks good with layers, when I look at it I can see your face fine, no problem and not cluttering, just my view that's all. If you are wanting to do something to draw attention away from the clothes then sure go with neutral clothing and maybe a hat that is not completely away from the color spectrum of your outfit.

My main issues are of course the lighting is a little off as the figure shadow is competing for space in the light of another shadow above your head, was a door or something open giving you that narrow light source. Way to much going on in the background in way of light directions.

It would have been nice to have a full body crop instead of the left side missing.

Lastly the focus appears to be to soft for my taste.

I hope this helps a little... Keep it up...

[cbknight]

+1 on all above.

Get away from the wall to help with the shadows if your going to use flash. Focus manually. Diffuse your flash with a white paper towel or some linen like a piece of a sheet. Or better yet, find a window for some natural light and use some kind of reflector (if you dont have a reflector, use something white like poster board to deflect the light on the off window side.

Find a pose that suits you being you. Not sure what your assignment is, but if your a class clown, be a class clown. If your serious and shy, do that too, but make it interesting.

Good luck. Post your results.

[th282]

It was a window about 5'6'' x 3' shining on the wall, Just noted this in my little photo journal of corrections to make. Thanks again for commenting, as it really helps.

I just re-calibrated my laptop... wow... soft.