Help with self portraits. Please.

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

12/15/2006 06:47:39 AM · #1

I decided it was time for a decent self portrait, the following is tonight's attempt. I generally can't stand looking at pictures of myself so of course to me they all look bad. Anyway, I was hoping to get some objective opinions, if anyone has the time.

Terrible expression, I know. I think I look like I've been up for days. Focus seems OK. Haloing from burning in background, how can I avoid this?

I kinda like the off center composition here, though it was unplanned(working in a small room with an 85mm on a 1.6x). The shadow is a bit too much on my right eye IMO. I can probably work out the yellow tint if I decide it's worth it.

A tighter shot. Again a bit yellow (I need a white balance card). Aside from the bags under my eyes I almost like this one. Is there any way to fix this in post?

Lighting:
Camera right - Mini spotlight, camera levelabout 4ft. from subject(me)
Camera Left - Incandescent(sp?) fill reflected off of a white foam-like material, slightly below camera level
Above: Compact florescent with snoot for hair light
BG: String (christmas) lights in pegboard, 2ft. behind subject

Camera was about 1ft. above eye level, about 6ft. in front of subject

Thanks for looking/reading. Any help and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

BTW, be brutal. The model sucks, but I can take it.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

12/15/2006 07:02:17 AM · #2

First impressions:
1 - background - color is too close to your skin color and seems to make you blend in more as opposed to standing out.
2 - the lighting is not bad as far as position goes, but the one to picture right seems a bit harsh...perhaps some sort of diffusion to cut the glare. The lines of your face are on the softer side as opposed to the chiseled look. The shadow on the eye/nose is just too strong.
3 - Pose 1 ok if the lighting was different. Pose 2 the ratio of pos to neg space is nice and non centered is good, but for some reason the cropped off ear makes you look like you are not 'all there' so to speak. like you just barely made it into the frame in time. Pose 3 - this close crop I like and not so much distracted by the missing ear in this one (ratio of neg to pos again). But perhaps a more even light to the face to avoid the shadows. The shadows just seem to take away from your expression which seems very relaxed and quite natural.

Just my opinion...and I am only one.

Message edited by author 2006-12-15 07:03:51.

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

12/15/2006 07:12:32 AM · #3

Originally posted by Alienyst:

Just my opinion...and I am only one.

And a valued one at that. Thanks for the help!

Originally posted by Alienyst:

perhaps some sort of diffusion to cut the glare.

I'm using hot lights at this point (only have a hot shoe flash). How could I diffuse this without creating a fire hazard. Any ideas? DIY/homemade solutions ideal.

CEJ

Canon EOS-40D

12/15/2006 07:26:55 AM · #4

Ha...funny you should ask...in my gallery I custom build frames. Whenever a customer wants a new style I make a mock/test frame to make sure i get the cuts right. Hence I have a lot of empty frames lying around. I took two of them and stapled pieces of white sheet to them and use them as diffusers. I have three folds of material on them. The first fold is stapled down then two folds hang off. These two extra folds allow me to put more layers for stronger dissusion/less light depending on which set of lights I have them on front of. I support these on anything that will hold them up in front of the lights. I have one 2500 watt set of work lamps that I took the guards off of and swung the lights 180 degrees on the mounts. This leaves the longer end of the handles (that are supposed to keep you away from the back of the lights) is sticking out in front. Then took a wire hanger and wrapped it around the top bar with a bent hook on the end. Now I use this to balance the frame on the handles and the hook thingie holds it in place and at any angle I want.

I guess the point is, a white sheet supported in any way in front of your lights will work.

Oh, and before I got my real light set, I used a cheap white umbrella that I got for 3.99 at the discount store in front of the 1500 watt work lights. I cut the curved part of the handle off and sunk a bolt in there. Then I had a stand made out of 2x4's with holes on all four sides at different heights/angles. This also worked quite well and was very versatile in positioning.

This evening if I have a chance, I will take some pics and post of the home made stuff I have for lighting. Even though I have a regular light set now, I still use a lot of this stuff as it just plain works.

Message edited by author 2006-12-15 07:33:05.

General

Kodak Z7590

12/15/2006 07:40:39 AM · #5

Since you are using hot lights that too without diffusion, lights are causing Harsh Shadow.

Use a reflector to the side that is away from light.

In some Shots you have done lighting from below thus creating unflattering shadows.

You seem bit tense, smile.
I like Self 4532 for mood and Self 2.jpg for what will say the crop or focal lenght at which you should shoot,

Focus is also not that sharp.

I am very critical,aren't I, well i thought it might be helpful

12/15/2006 07:45:54 AM · #6

Originally posted by Alienyst:

Ha...funny you should ask... ... ... ...

Wow that sounds excellent. I'll look forward to the pics! I have an old white sheet I tried to use for a light tent once, I'll give it a try.