Self-Portrait critique needed!!

Doc Frankenstein wrote:
Two dimensional, highly visual

Maybe eating a book with a bored expression and a boring side dish... I dunno... your assignment!

Heres the thing, this is a "self-portrait", therefore I composed the image to show myself...what I read, where I read and what I look like reading...hence the name "self-portrait".

Also, a person can read anything and have it be considered "casual reading". What I read may be different than what you read. The title and author of the book has nothing to do with it being casual or not, its the fact that I'm reading, my surroundings and body language that say casual. You see, this is what 'I' read, therefore its casual to me. Example: a doctor may relax to medical journal at the end of the day, but the fact that he has a 'medical journal' (a piece of literature thats content is above anybodys head) does not make it non-casual. Casual reading is interpreted through cultural and economic levels of society.

Stefan A wrote:
Well, you asked for opinions and people gave it to you. Even if it wasn't the opinion you were looking for . When I read "casual reading" and saw the picture, my very first thought was that a book like that isn't casual reading. But I was surprised others mentioned it because I don't think it really takes away from the shot. Who's to say what casual reading is for someone else? I think you did a good job and it does look like you are in the act of casually reading. You look relaxed and unaware of the camera. I would have also liked a bit more focus on your face.

Stefan

Thanks for your concerns Stefan, I will try with my face in more focus, I've taken that suggestion under great consideration.
I know I asked for peoples opinion and I thank them for it, but since this is my work I have an obligation to defend myself, "why I composed the picture the way I did" and most people are stuck on what the book represents to 'casual reading' which is irrelevant, because any piece of literature can be casual, just like you said. Also, the type of book a person reads tells a lot about that individual. If a 50 year old man were to read comic books, one would perceive him to still have an inner child, per say. This being a self-portrait, not only does a book say that I'm a casual reader, but that particular book says a lot about my character.
I thank you for understanding Stefan.

To you it may mean anything... but the picture isn't "for you". I have quite a lot of pictures which I took for myself, they mean something to me and don't mean anything for other people. I never ask other people to critique them... I don't even show them.

But when I'm taking a picture for a photo class, I have an audience and I have a message. And if the picture can't explain itself to my audience without me opening my mouth, then I have failed and have to go back to the drawing board.

And I can't defend myself saying "to me it still means this and this". The photograph isn't for me to begin with.

Casual reader doesn't work for me. Casual for me means you read now and again and low key stuff. The books I can make out are one on Demons and a Hunter J Thompson (I think) and then the Dostoyevski. You're also in a dark room with blinds closed and look earnest. Again, not casual. Serious reader fits. Casual reader for me would be lounging by the pool with the sun shining, cocktail in hand and reading Hello!

Your undershirt doesn't match Dostoevsky! I would suggest a more classical pose, maybe relaxing in an armchair wearing a smoking jacket...

I never said the picture was 'for me', I said I composed the picture to 'show me' What I am defending are my reasons for composing the picture the way I composed it.

My point is that this is me, this is who I am and if no one can accept it than too bad, im sorry that im such a complex person.

So what would the picture say if it was entitled "untitled", and you had no context behind it?

The picture definately doesn't say that to me.

It would probably say you need to use flash. Beyond that it's just a bloke reading a book and it says nothing else.

How so?

Because you took the picture assuming we see what you see. We don't, we project onto the image our own interpretation. So, you need to control the message to ensure we get it and you haven't done that. If you had we would get it. Most people here don't get it. It's not that we're stupid or being silly with you. It's that we don't get your messsage. As Doc says:

Your right, everyone does project their own interpretation on an image, you can't control that and thats the beauty of art. But I gave my message, my artistic statement...and you what, it is a broad statement, which in turn will receive different interpretations. So tell me, whats wrong with that? I still don't see why I have to sugarcoat it.

Must be very hard being such a compex person. Very few people understand you.

I don't appreciate your mockery Doc, I was just trying to make a point.

Have you read any art history or biographies of artists? Not many broad statements are recognised as art AFAIC. Any great image makes a statement. It may be very misunderstood, misinterpreted or just plain bonkers but there is an strong intention there to say something. If you want to leave it to accident that people will 'get' what you mean then that is OK. Some will and some won't and then it's like a 'so what?'. I'm saying the statement isn't strong here but really it doesn't need to be I guess. The people in your class will know you and have an opinion already and they will project that onto the neutrality of this image. I'd just go with it tho' if you believe in it. Being convinced about your own statement is important I think. Have fun ...

Theres no need for a lecture.

So if I were to change my statement to "I'm a serious reader", than the image would go with the statement, yes?

I re-shot last night and focused in on my face (as suggested by others) and here is the result I got. Same lens, manual mode, bracketed to the right side, 1/5s @ f/5 @ iso 200. Same lighting. Again I had to use the timer and get into position before the shutter went off. I agree, I do like the focus on my face better than on the book in my hands, which in this picture still came out a little in focus. This image is PP. So...my new statement, "I am a serious reader", with my new photo.