SelfPortraitsGuide(1)

8/11/2019 SelfPortraitsGuide(1)

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SHORT GUIDE:

SHOOTINGSELF-PORTRAITS

BY JASON D. LITTLE


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Self-Portraits>>P.03

What You Will Need >>P.06

How To Set Focus >>P.10

How To Compose Your Self-Portrait >>P.13

Some Thoughts On Post Processing >>P.15

Tell Your Story >>P.17

A Few Examples >>P.19

CONTENTS
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SELF-PORTRAITS


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Some people despise having their photo taken they cringeanytime anyone pulls their camera out. You may knowsomeone like that. That someone may even be you.

So how crazy is it to think that a camera-phobic individualwould ever consider taking a self-portrait?

The fact is there are some people who, especially whenstarting out in photography, find self-portraits to be a nerve-wracking venture; and some, to be sure, never really get over thedisquieting dread that accompanies having to get in front of thecamera when theyre so accustomed to being behind it.

Its normal, I guess. We could probably engage in a lengthy and

ultimately convoluted discussion about self-esteem, body image,and a whole host of other psychological implications relatedto why some people dont like looking at themselves, but thatsnot going to fix anyone, is it?

SELF-PORTRAITS


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Before you go out to buy some half-baked self-help book toaddress whatever issues you may think you have, allow me torun a few ideas by you; ideas that might ease you into makingself-portraits or, if you are already making them, some ideas onhow to improve them.

You never know, it could be the creative spark you need to helpyou overcome your fear of self-inflicted photographs.

SELF-PORTRAITS

So how crazy is it

to think that a camera

phobic individual would

ever consider taking

a self-portrait?


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WHAT YOU WILLNEED


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You really dont need much to take a self-portrait- just a camerafor the basics. Weve all seen and/or taken more than ourfair share of web cam and cell phone shots and they work tovarying degrees. But if youre interested in a self-portrait that ismore than just marginally better than the ones typified by theaverage teenager on Facebook, there are a few items you mightwant to invest in (if you dont already own them).

Tripod Photographers tend to fret over tripod purchases.Its understandable, I suppose; theres a reason you lookfor something with excellent build quality and stability,and is also lightweight. However, the stakes arent as highwith self-portraits (though it is not entirely unfathomablethat you might take a shot of yourself one day during awindstorm), so dont worry about getting an extremely high-

end tripod; just get something that can support the weight ofyour camera without tipping over.

If you cant buy a tripod and youre a particularly resourcefulperson, Im confident you can fashion a useful support outof items you have in your home.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED


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A remote shutter release

will probably be your

greatest ally in your

conquest of

self-portraiture.


Remote A remote shutter release will probably be yourgreatest ally in your conquest of self-portraiture. You canopt for a wired or wireless remote. Wired remotes aretypically less expensive, but are limiting in that theyrephysically connected to the camera by a length of cable.Wireless remotes, while providing some additional freedomand flexibility, are limited by their operating range, which

maxes out at around 330ft/100m (range varies according tomodel).

Some remotes are designed to control the cameras timerand drive mode settings- features that will save you tripsto and from your camera. Of course, the more features aremote flaunts, the costlier it will be; a simple $10 remotemay serve you just fine.

Lighting Dont think that you have to be an expertstrobist in order to create effective portraits. A single lightsource and a little ingenuity can go a very long way. If youveonly got one flash, thats all you need (even better if you canget the flash off your camera).

WHAT YOU WILL NEED


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You can modify the

light by using things such

as reflectors or

diffusers a light box, anumbrella, a white wall or

ceiling.


Dont have a flash? You can use a $20 work light. Or a tablelamp. Or a flashlight. No matter the light source, positioningis important and can have a dramatic effect on the mood ofyour self-portrait. You can modify the light by using thingssuch as reflectors or diffusers a light box, an umbrella, awhite wall or ceiling for example. And dont forget aboutnatural light.

If you want to shoot outdoors, early morning and lateafternoon are best; cloudy days can provide particularlyintriguing lighting. If youre indoors, try setting up near awindow.

Tethering Connecting your camera to a monitor willallow you to get a real-time view of what your self-portraitis going to look like, and you can make tweaks to thecomposition without having to get up and run back to thecamera (which is likely to get exhausting after a while andsuck all the fun out of your project). Shooting tethered isby no means a necessity, but it will eliminate a significantamount of trial and error.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED


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HOW TO SETFOCUS


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One of the first questions that people ask before attempting

a self-portrait with their DSLR is, How do I make sure Imfocusing on my face?

Well, you could always do the hold-the-camera-at-arms-length thing. But if youve bothered to read up to this point,I will assume that youre looking for something a little moresophisticated. Fortunately (or unfortunately), the solution Ioffer you is only slightly more sophisticated: use a stand-in astuffed animal, a tree, a mop. Basically, anything that might bea suitable temporary substitute for you.

Think about how you will pose for your photo and try to focusthe camera on where your eyes will be in relation to your newlyemployed body double.

Use autofocus to achieve initial focus and lock it in, thenswitch your lens to manual so you dont accidentally lose yourfocus setting. Keep in mind that distance is more of a concernthan height. As long as you focus at the correct distance, youshouldnt have too much trouble getting your face in sharpfocus. Using a moderately high f-stop (f/8, f/11) will also help.

HOW TO SET FOCUS


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Use autofocus to

achieve initial focus and

lock it in, then switch your

lens to manual so you dontaccidentally lose your

focus setting.


Once you get more comfortable with your technique you canstart playing with shallower depth of field. Additionally, if youshoot tethered, the focusing process will be a little easier.Now that your focus is set, its time to shoot.

If you dont have a remote, set your cameras timer to its

highest setting so that you will have time to move into theframe (dont forget to send your stand-in packing) and getsettled into your pose.

If your camera allows you to use burst mode in conjunctionwith the self-timer, its something you should consider so thatyou can vary your expressions or poses while the camera snapsaway.

If you are using a remote, just click away to your heartscontentor until your memory card is full.

HOW TO SET FOCUS


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HOW TO COMPOSEYOUR

SELF-PORTRAIT


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Self-portraits afford you the opportunity to disregard everythingyouve learned about traditional composition and go a bit crazy.

Your self-portrait doesnt even have to include your face, forexample; you can frame your shots around various sections orparts of your body.

Additionally, you can alter your perspective by deviating fromthe standard eye-level shot get a shot from up high and fromdown low. Dont be afraid to experiment and take some riskswhen it comes to composing your self-portraits.

HOW TO COMPOSE YOUR SELF-PORTRAIT


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SOME THOUGHTSON

POST PROCESSING


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When youre

processing your

self-portraits you will find

that you have the freedom

to do things with thoseshots that you wouldnt

be able to do if you were

working for a client.


As with composition, when youre processing your self-portraitsyou will find that you have the freedom to do things with thoseshots that you wouldnt be able to do if you were working for aclient.

Its the perfect time to take those sliders to places youve never

taken them and learn exactly how all those commands underPhotoshops Filter menu impact your photos.

Regardless of what post processing software you are using,there will be no shortage of options available to you aimed atputting a unique personal imprint on your self-portraits.

Dont get the impression, though, that self-portraits have to be

wild and zany. They can be whatever you want them to be. Youhave limitless creative license here so use it.

SOME THOUGHTS ON POST PROCESSING


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TELL YOUR STORY


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Worry less about

what you look like

and focus on presenting

yourself to the world in theway that you want

everyone to see you.


Every self-portrait you make is a quick glimpse inside yourmind, not just a representation of what you look like.

So, when youre planning a portrait shoot for yourself, be sureto convey who you really are; include things you like or dislike,wear your favorite articles of clothing, show off one of your

hobbies or talents.

Worry less about what you look like and focus on presentingyourself to the world in the way that you want everyone to seeyou.

Exercising complete control over your own image can be quiteempowering.

TELL YOUR STORY


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A FEWEXAMPLES


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Remember that theres no right or wrong way to do a self-portrait, as demonstrated in the examples that follow.

Self-portraits can be about more than just faces.

A FEW EXAMPLES


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Use self-portraits to invite viewers into your world.

A FEW EXAMPLES


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Give yourself a platform to make a statement.

A FEW EXAMPLES


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Incorporate your Photoshop skills when processing self-portraits.

A FEW EXAMPLES


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IMAGE CREDITS:

Cover : Sebastian Anthony

Pg 04 : Sebastian AnthonyPg 07 : Mitra Mirshahidi

Pg 12 : Daniele Zedda

Pg 14 : UvaPg 20 : Helga WeberPg 20 : Patty MaherPg 21 : StephcarterPg 22 : Skippyjon

Pg 22 :Juliana CoutinhoPg 23 : FailedImitatorPg 23 : GadlPg 24 :Alex Bellink

FONTS:

OvoMontserratRokkitt

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jason D. Little is a photographer

(shooting macros, portraits,candids, and the occasionallandscape), part time writer, andfull time lover of music.

You can see Jasons photographyon his photography blogor onFlickr.
http://www.photzy.com/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrseb/3893869485/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrseb/3893869485/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mitramirshahidi/2439438578/http://www.flickr.com/photos/astragony/8260117875/http://www.flickr.com/photos/elavamu/4487478745/http://www.flickr.com/photos/helga/3212291446/http://www.flickr.com/photos/closetartist/5898216835/http://www.flickr.com/photos/30463609@N00/353295682/in/photolist-xdJuShttp://www.flickr.com/photos/77909728@N00/2241169614/in/photolist-4q3zDqhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/ngmmemuda/3819609050/http://www.flickr.com/photos/crazysphinx/4025508145/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gadl/312754502/http://www.flickr.com/photos/zbellink/4996200807/http://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Ovohttp://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Montserrathttp://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Rokkitthttp://jdevaunphotographynow.wordpress.com/http://www.flickr.com/photos/34316967%40N04/sets/72157623545514698/http://www.flickr.com/photos/34316967%40N04/sets/72157623545514698/http://jdevaunphotographynow.wordpress.com/http://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Rokkitthttp://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Montserrathttp://www.google.com/fonts/specimen/Ovohttp://www.flickr.com/photos/zbellink/4996200807/http://www.flickr.com/photos/35449761%40N04/9685115683/http://www.flickr.com/photos/gadl/312754502/http://www.flickr.com/photos/crazysphinx/4025508145/http://www.flickr.com/photos/ngmmemuda/3819609050/http://www.flickr.com/photos/77909728@N00/2241169614/in/photolist-4q3zDqhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/30463609@N00/353295682/in/photolist-xdJuShttp://www.flickr.com/photos/closetartist/5898216835/http://www.flickr.com/photos/helga/3212291446/http://www.flickr.com/photos/elavamu/4487478745/http://www.flickr.com/photos/astragony/8260117875/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mitramirshahidi/2439438578/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrseb/3893869485/http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrseb/3893869485/http://www.photzy.com/


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