DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Author Portraits?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 25 of 26, (reverse)
AuthorThread
02/22/2012 11:47:10 AM · #1
Anyone done any? I'm working on my author website, and I want to take a good author portrait to put on the front page. Does anyone have suggestions, advice, etc?

Thanks!
Amr
02/22/2012 11:52:26 AM · #2
Mines a basic shot of me, taking a picture of myself in a tall standing mirror.

I actually had a few to choose from, professional and self-taken. I got the opinion of many others before choosing to use the shot on my page.

Reason that shot was most popular, a few people said it made them feel like I was just like them, "a regular person". They didn't feel intimidated by some of the other shots.

Guess around these parts of the country, they want a normal, regular gal. Fine with me. :)

Good luck on whatever shot you choose! Let us know.

But I'm sure many other DPC members will chime in with their opinions as well.


02/22/2012 11:54:39 AM · #3
Just did one for my May exhibit. As I (ironically) hate having MY picture taken, I did it myself. Use a remote instead of getting up each time to set the timer.
02/22/2012 12:16:02 PM · #4
Originally posted by tanguera:

Just did one for my May exhibit. As I (ironically) hate having MY picture taken, I did it myself. Use a remote instead of getting up each time to set the timer.


Isn't it strange how most photographers don't like having their own picture taken?

Message edited by author 2012-02-22 12:16:43.
02/22/2012 12:17:07 PM · #5
Since it's for your website, you have a little more leeway than a standard "headshot." What I like to see is something environmental, something that gives me a feel for the person's professional and/or personal sense of self. For instance, an astronomer might shoot the portrait in an observatory, or in an office with trappings of astronomy. Lots of options.
02/22/2012 01:12:02 PM · #6
Originally posted by kirbic:

Since it's for your website, you have a little more leeway than a standard "headshot." What I like to see is something environmental, something that gives me a feel for the person's professional and/or personal sense of self. For instance, an astronomer might shoot the portrait in an observatory, or in an office with trappings of astronomy. Lots of options.


In that line of thinking, I'm going to do mine in my cubicle next to the wooden block with the years of dents from my forehead.
02/22/2012 01:13:35 PM · #7
Originally posted by Spork99:

Originally posted by kirbic:

Since it's for your website, you have a little more leeway than a standard "headshot." What I like to see is something environmental, something that gives me a feel for the person's professional and/or personal sense of self. For instance, an astronomer might shoot the portrait in an observatory, or in an office with trappings of astronomy. Lots of options.


In that line of thinking, I'm going to do mine in my cubicle next to the wooden block with the years of dents from my forehead.


Be sure to link that photo here! Would love to see it. haha
02/22/2012 01:17:23 PM · #8
Originally posted by Spork99:


In that line of thinking, I'm going to do mine in my cubicle next to the wooden block with the years of dents from my forehead.


My engineering analysis of your experimental results indicates that the wood in your head is harder than that in the block. Congratulations, you are a "typical male." ;-)
02/22/2012 01:49:59 PM · #9
Yeah come down to VA and I'll hook you up lol. I am shooting a couple of portraits for a local author here in the coming few weeks. Keep it clean and professional and I agree to have some environmental aspects to it so it isn't a static head shot.
02/22/2012 01:59:28 PM · #10
Awesome feedback, thanks. Environmental for a science fiction writer...
Hmmm... anyone know any four-armed, three-eyed space hotties?

No seriously, maybe a bookshelf or my writing station in the background, or looking up from my laptop (set in profile so it doesn't take a lot of space), in a blurred foreground. I'll take some shots and post 'em for feedback later this week.

Minso, can I see the shots when you take them?
02/22/2012 02:22:54 PM · #11
Originally posted by dyridings:

Originally posted by tanguera:

Just did one for my May exhibit. As I (ironically) hate having MY picture taken, I did it myself. Use a remote instead of getting up each time to set the timer.


Isn't it strange how most photographers don't like having their own picture taken?

I don't think it's strange -- I think it's the very reason many people become photographers, it being the most effective way to avoid ever being in front of the lens, especially if your camera doesn't have a remote ... ;-)
02/22/2012 02:25:13 PM · #12
Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by dyridings:

Originally posted by tanguera:

Just did one for my May exhibit. As I (ironically) hate having MY picture taken, I did it myself. Use a remote instead of getting up each time to set the timer.


Isn't it strange how most photographers don't like having their own picture taken?

I don't think it's strange -- I think it's the very reason many people become photographers, it being the most effective way to avoid ever being in front of the lens, especially if your camera doesn't have a remote ... ;-)


Guess that makes sense for most people. I know, as I grow older, I prefer to NOT have my picture taken, but in my younger days, I was a HAM!!!
02/22/2012 02:36:44 PM · #13
Unless you like portrait photography and have to be your own model for trying out stuff :)
02/22/2012 02:40:23 PM · #14
Funny that this topic comes up now. I'm on a SFF writing mailing list, and someone just sent this photography project in which the photographer shot photos of authors in their writing spaces:

Where I Write

Message edited by author 2012-02-22 14:44:22.
02/22/2012 07:22:12 PM · #15
That's so cool! Half of them have cats!
02/22/2012 07:31:45 PM · #16
Originally posted by tanguera:

That's so cool! Half of them have cats!


All the cool people have cats :)
02/22/2012 07:45:22 PM · #17
i honestly dont like having others take my picture, but i'm fine if its just me taking them. lol (so weird..)
02/22/2012 08:51:00 PM · #18
Originally posted by Osiris1975:

Funny that this topic comes up now. I'm on a SFF writing mailing list, and someone just sent this photography project in which the photographer shot photos of authors in their writing spaces:

Where I Write


That was a very cool link. Neat to see some of these folks in their own habitat. Shocking in a couple cases 8-0
02/22/2012 09:48:01 PM · #19
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by Osiris1975:

Funny that this topic comes up now. I'm on a SFF writing mailing list, and someone just sent this photography project in which the photographer shot photos of authors in their writing spaces:

Where I Write


That was a very cool link. Neat to see some of these folks in their own habitat. Shocking in a couple cases 8-0


Yes, writers are notorious slobs! My wife complains about my office on a weekly basis.
02/28/2012 05:47:52 PM · #20
Okay, so I decided to do a first take of some photos for my author website. Just to get an idea of the context in which the photos will be in, I've made the site live (it is still a work in progress). You can see it here.

I'm going to need two photos for this, a smallish head shot photo for the Bio section on the main page, and then an environment shot on the full bio page. One consideration, given the websites colors, is to go with black and white, though maybe color would be a good idea to give it some color.

Just a few things. I hate taking pictures of myself. Why? Because I'm no slim Jim. I'm a big guy. So I have no idea how to make myself look good in pictures. The receding hairline doesn't help, either. :) Anyway, can't change any of that, so I'd love help just getting the best picture I can.

Here is the environment, uncropped, only auto-balanced, sans moi:



Here are five shots with me in them. I did only minimal cropping, and auto-tone. I didn't want to fiddle with them too much before getting help, especially since they'll probably all go to the trash. I was kind of inspired by the 'Where I Write' photos, but these don't come anywhere close to those.


I think they all suck, and the lighting is casting some shadows on me from I don't know where. The fact that it is self-portrait and I can't look through the viewfinder to compose the image doesn't help. Anyway, I've got two bulbs (80W daylight bulbs/equivalent to 400W incandescent, each) set up to either side of the camera, about four feet away, facing up toward the ceiling.

So, lets say you've come over my house and are going to take an author portrait. What are you going to do?

Message edited by author 2012-02-28 17:48:22.
02/28/2012 06:55:43 PM · #21
Ok here are a few suggestions/thoughts from me. First, your work are is far too clean lol. You should see mine. But seriously, I would suggest placing a lamp behind you to light you from the back, that will provide some separation. What is on the other side of that window? Which direction does it face? I would suggest opening the blinds. As far as your position, sit up very straight and make sure you pull your shirt down so it isn't bunched up. That will help with slimming (trust me I am a big guy and do a lot of self portraits) Also keep your body straight and lean your face forward a bit, that will help provide a bit more of a jaw line. see this for an example.

For composition I like 5698. But, I would have you sit up straight and I like your head on your hand but don't actually lean on it. Just position like it is but support your head with your neck and don't actually lean. I would also lay your left arm on the desk palm down. Hope this helps.
02/28/2012 07:12:11 PM · #22
dont take it personally but....

id work on your pose, on alot of them you look morose or down trodden, you need to suck it in keep your body straight, change the angle to reduce the double chin look also. standing would be better like minso's shot, im a big guy 20st so think thats 230 odd lbs hate having photo taken but certain angles work so much better. angle your body at the camera so you are not square on, but you need to sell confidence and power dont you?
02/28/2012 07:13:03 PM · #23
I don't have any advice, but I just had to post that I'm jealous of your Vault-Tec lunch box.
02/28/2012 07:13:43 PM · #24
That's a cool site of the authors. I do most of my writing in the staff rooms of the various schools I visit, during free periods. - I prefer to write longhand in an exercise book before typing it up. (I now have two novels to try to get publsihed). Certainly if my young children's novel was published, and I could submit my own photo, I'd redo this shot:
[img] 334649[/img]

(This school computer is useless for linking pics - I'll fix it when I get home.)

Message edited by author 2012-02-28 19:15:50.
02/28/2012 07:30:03 PM · #25
Thanks minso and Giles. I never take feedback personally, so no worries. If I look tired/run-down, that's because I am, lol. I should probably wait until I get a good night's sleep and am over this cold I've got.
Great tips, though. I'll do another take and post them later.
I might just end up hiring a pro for this, but no idea what it will cost.

bhuge... I love my gamer kitsch :)

Message edited by author 2012-02-28 19:52:45.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 03:27:06 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 03:27:06 AM EDT.