OK, I've never been one who likes to have my picture taken, much less to take one of myself. But after a lengthy discussion with my husband, we decided I should practice on myself...what better way to experiment with my lil' camera, some lights, and the fact that at least two of my three kids are in bed. So I've been working on it. I don't particularly care for most of them, but these are the three that turned out the best. Any tips for beginning portraiture, even if your subject is yourself?
Here's a suggestion: I prefer the first one, simply because I'm not looking up into your nose as much, so a higher point of view might be helpful. You've got great looking skin, by the way.
Self portraits are a real challenge but you've got a great start! I like - in this order 3 - 1 - 2. The reason I like 3 the best is that it seems so "detached." The model looks like she's dreaming in a world all her own, ambivalent to the camera. She's thinking in a "secret plece" and we will never know. Lighting is superb on all three.
I agree with most of the comments. Lighting and skin tone is nice. Try a different camera angle to not shoot up the nose. A Moderate telephoto lens is better for portraits, i.e. 105 or 135. You'll get a better perspective with less distortion using these focal lenghts. What type of lights and diffusion did you use? A round catch light like yours is prefered over a square one. A good rule of thumb is to try and focus on the eye. The lips in photo 1 and 2 are crisp while the eye is slightly soft (but thats just being nit-picky). Like all "rules" of photography these are just guidelines. Over all not bad for first portraits, especially self portraits.
A Moderate telephoto lens is better for portraits, i.e. 105 or 135. You'll get a better perspective with less distortion using these focal lenghts. What type of lights and diffusion did you use?
I wish I could use a telephoto lens...my camera doesn't zoom. Well, it has a 1x digital zoom, but that's all. I'm hoping maybe Santa will bring me another camera (hehehe). I used a halogen desk lamp and a clamp-on work light I found in the garage with a regular 75 watt bulb. So I obviously don't have "real" equipment, but I am not above making "do" with what I have! :o)
Thanks for the advice. I'm going to try to reshoot some today. Thanks!
Nice pics and I agree mostly with what's been said already, but to add something new, I think that you need a little bit of color balancing. The pix look a bit too orangey to me so try adding in some of the cooler colors and see if the results look more natural.
