Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Sonicstef Posted: Mar 17, 2003 10:08 AM

Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Morning!

Im taking a photography class and one of this weeks assigments was to do a self portrait. The rules: Not allowed to use flash, not allowed to have anyone else take the photo, must use manual settings.

My original idea was to take a closeup of my eyes with hair sweeping over one of them with flowers under my nose. I tried about 10 different shots and all of them came out super blurry and unusable. I did it during the day so I dont think light was an issue. Not sure what the problem was but it may have to do with the fact it was a super closeup so i have to think of an alternative idea.

In any case, my class is tomorrow and I need to think of something I can do tonight (low light)...ideas??

shamma Posted: Mar 17, 2003 10:28 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Since its nice out today, try taking a pix of yourself sitting on a bench under a tree, in the park. Dunno

stacedz Posted: Mar 17, 2003 10:31 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

What kind of camera are you using? Are you putting it on a self timer? I find that if I take pics with my arm extended, I tend to move the camera...and if that is the case, how could you make it clear?? Hmmm...

Sonicstef Posted: Mar 17, 2003 10:35 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Thanks Shamma...but I need to do it tonight after work. It will probably be dark out. :(

Stacez: Im using a pentax SLR (dont know the model). I propped it up on books and boxes and then set the self timer...so there should be no camera shake involved. Still blurry as all hell!

shamma Posted: Mar 17, 2003 10:46 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

What about in an office at your job, with the shades slightly drawn *leaves room, saddened*

susans Posted: Mar 17, 2003 10:54 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Does it have to be a picture of your face?
Maybe you can take a pic of your hands or something??

SomedayBride Posted: Mar 17, 2003 11:01 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

I don't know how creative this is, but you could take a picture of yourself in front of a mirror, with your back to the mirror, and the camera off to the side a bit. This way, you get portrait of your whole self, you can see your front, and back in the picture, while you can only usually see the front or back. I dunno, it's just an idea, but I think you're looking for something more artsy, that shows your personality at the same time. Can you double expose the film? Maybe you could take two pictures, one of you facing the camera, wearing clothes for work, hair pulled back, no smile, looking the least relaxed that you can look. Then in the second picture, sit in the exact same place, or else it won't work, but this time face the mirror, so when the double exposed film is developed, your face will be on both sides. This time, let your hair down, smile and wear something more relaxed, so it's like the two sides of Stefanie, the working woman, and then the relaxed woman. Edited because I meant to say, it will be like, how the world sees you (as a working woman), then how you really are (I'm guessing you like to relax more than you like to work)

Sonicstef Posted: Mar 17, 2003 11:04 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Shamma: Good idea but I dont have the camera with me today :(

Susan: Doesnt have to be of my face...but I assuem he is going to ask me 'why' I chose a particular photo as my self portrait and my hands are particularily indicative of me.

Someday: I absolutely love your idea but I dont know how to double expose a certain photo since my camera automatically rolls forward after every shot. Thats a great idea though :D

SomedayBride Posted: Mar 17, 2003 11:07 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Hmm.....so you can't rewind the film by hand at the end of the roll? Then I guess it won't work :(

SomedayBride Posted: Mar 17, 2003 11:13 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

I forgot to ask, but your camera doesn't leave a little bit of film out of the roll when it rewinds the film does it? If it does, just load the film again, and start shooting. If I want to double expose things, I usually take pics with my mom's old camera that you have to wind by hand, so I'm really not sure how to do it with modern cameras. Maybe it says in the manual?

Sonicstef Posted: Mar 17, 2003 11:33 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Nope, it rewinds the whole thing so I cant reload it :(

shamma Posted: Mar 17, 2003 11:45 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Stef what time is the class???

Sonicstef Posted: Mar 17, 2003 11:47 AM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

The class is tommorrow after work. Im using slide film so it needs at least 8 hours to get processed at the place near me...so the latest I can drop it off is tommorrow morning at 8AM (before I go to work)

shamma Posted: Mar 17, 2003 12:28 PM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Another question Stef, are you taking this class to get better at taking pix? or are you taking this class to freelance?? sounds like fun.

Sonicstef Posted: Mar 17, 2003 12:54 PM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

Taking the class to take better pics...you know, learn how to take those great shots while on vacation, etc...

shamma Posted: Mar 17, 2003 01:04 PM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

I think I would like something like that. I want to take a cooking class, where are you taking this class??

Sonicstef Posted: Mar 17, 2003 01:09 PM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

The class Im in is a Learning Annex Class....just 3 sessions of 3 hours each for about $100. The instructor also teachs at NY Institute for Photography (expensive) and FIT (pretty cheap) so I figure Im getting a good instructor. I will probably take a more indepth class at FIT after this is over. Wanna join me?

The Learning Annex holds classes about every topic under the sun...i think the quality of the classes are hit or miss...but its really cheap and fun.

shamma Posted: Mar 17, 2003 01:17 PM

Re: Craft Corner: Self Portrait Inspiration?

I have gone to the Learning Annex before for classes, I have a membership there. I went to a class on wedding planning and I did not learn anything that I did not already know. I don't know if I would be able to afford the FIT class, the camera/equipment etc. I am going to look into the cooking classes.