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The April ES is Self Portrait. These are ones I had left over but quite liked. As I said in the ES thread, the images were all taken as follows: I sat on the floor against a white wall in my hallway. On a stool in front of me at face height I sat the camera set to commander mode. On the floor I had my SB800 in slave mode and angled up at me. Then I took the pics (307 of them!) using the remote (which is in my right hand in each shot) to fire the camera. For PP I used the Nik Color Efex B & W Dynamic Contrast filter or the Nik Color Efex B & W Tonal Enhancer filter for the B & W conversion. In some I also used the Nik Classical Soft Focus filter. I was surprised I didn't feel particularly self conscious or awkward doing this, in fact I quite enjoyed it For a larger version, click a pic.

Critique away.





....

is the world ready for a naked ........ well almost, maybe...... stubbsy....... love the cat

Nice, Stubbsy. The shadows on the wall look a bit harsh, may be you can move away from the wall a bit.

Alex

Stubbsy, quite like them, interestingly I like the shadow when normally I don't. All 4 are good, with 3 probably the weakest due to the serious expression. It is bloody hard to show a range of emotions so respect what you have done. PS you have caught the shirtless disease from Craig

Great work stubbsy, I prefer the B&Ws to the colour, while I can handle you in black and white, the colour is a little too real.
You managed to get some interesting poses, and the lighting is a lot better in yours then in my previous attempts, I'm impressed.

In some of them you look really young

these are great they show range and a certain quirkyness i like

excellent stuff

2 thumbs up for being brave enough to present these to an international forum

Stubbsy - really like the first two and the shadows in the 2nd one are unique...great work.

The third and fourth..hmmm...well...let's just say they reminded me of:



If you want mate, I can take this down, just let me know

Geoff wrote:The third and fourth..hmmm...well...let's just say they reminded me of:

<snip>

If you want mate, I can take this down, just let me know

No problems Geoff. I had a chuckle. We can't take ourselves too seriously now can we!

Alex wrote:Nice, Stubbsy. The shadows on the wall look a bit harsh, may be you can move away from the wall a bit.

Alex

Thanks for the comment Alex. This was a tough one since I wanted that sort of a look. I figured this wouldn't appeal to everyone since generally this is a big no no.

I must admit though that it works better in some than others.

wendellt wrote:2 thumbs up for being brave enough to present these to an international forum

Not super brave though Wendell. You'll notice my fat gut is nowehere in sight!

And for the thousands out there who can't get enough of these, here are 2 more

...

Peter...
Self portraits are tough and take a lot of guts. Your images are interesting and have some power. As a series they work but I'd prefer to see you in a suit ...same as Rockstar kinda stuff.

Peter,

These are very good.

I really like #3. The expression is strong and confronting - I don't mind the seriousness at all. The shadow adds to the composition in my view. It kind of juxtaposes, if you don't mind me saying....the shadow has the implication of a man with larger muscles, yet you stand before it with less muscle. It's almost saying "the shadow is what I perceive myself to be".
Works for me a lot.

Second favourite is number 1. Has an honesty to it. The tighter crop is more intimate.

I'm afraid the other two aren't as strong for me, but great work overall.

Now you've got the bug mate, it's incredibly difficult to stop

#2 - there's a certain intimacy you've captured here. To someone who didn't know you, they wouldn't be aware that this is a self portrait (and that is probably why it is good).

#4 - you've captured a mood of pensive thought.

Congrats - the quality of your images have almost inspired me to attempt ES-Self Portrait this month

Thanks guys for your comments:

Matt K. wrote:I'd prefer to see you in a suit

Matt - Isn't birthday suit good enough

rokkstar wrote:It kind of juxtaposes, if you don't mind me saying....the shadow has the implication of a man with larger muscles, yet you stand before it with less muscle. It's almost saying "the shadow is what I perceive myself to be".

Matt - no problems (I know I'm not Mr Universe ) That was also the feel I got when I saw it. In my second lot of images above I think the first of the two has the same vibe.

daniel_r wrote:#2 - there's a certain intimacy you've captured here

Agreed Daniel - it was completely fortuitous that Monty decided to come investigate what I was doing, but it worked nicely.

Very dramatic and well executed portraits Peter (Perhaps a bit too much hair for my liking though ).
I can see exactly the intention of the dramatic and dominant shadow technique. Very powerful and intimidating. Remove the subject and leave just the shadow in the first of the last series(B&W) and you have the next DC Comic Super Hero in the making whom we shall name 'Stubborn' the lesser known brother of 'Spawn'
cheers
marco

number 3 reminds me of a bouncer.

thou shalt not pass..

needs a little bow tie though



Steve

Marco and Steve. Thanks for the comments.

Marco: Too much hair? I thought I was pretty much bald

Steve: Me a bouncer - can you see muscles anywhere (plus I have an IQ over 20)

Steve thought bounce, I thought the Great Guru Stubbsy.
All who seek him find enlightenment

Nice touch Geoff. I had a good laugh.

Barry

I like the shadows. Very Hitchcockian!

No1.

.. Cue 70's porn music..

In a Deep Voice" Hello, I'm here to clean the pool".

MATT

I am stumped for words

I am nearly lost for words, but i do like your mohair jumper.

Nice experimentation Peter.

1st one and Monty & you in the 2nd are great.

And definetly the last two newer ones you've posted.

I'm beginning to think that men with beards should be reserved for black and white.

And women with beards... well... I don't know yet...

Big, bald, hairy, naked, middle aged, men.

Unfortunately not a personal favorite subject matter I try to avoid liking at one in the mirror every morning.

As for the photos themselves very good and quite confronting.

I like 1 & 2 the best.

As for bearded women have you been watching "Carnavale" on ABC?

Also facial hair on some women is a very powerful statement in some Gay circles. I have seen a few "bearded" gay women and they are intriguing, I would love to photograph them.

I actually have a female friend who would love to have a beard even just for a few days.


Perception of beauty is a fascinating subject.

Good attempts stubbsy. Cant be easy

I'd love to know what Monty was saying...

Good shots Peter, 1 and 2 my faves.

I am astonished that you took 307 shots - that is a lot!

However, a job well done, and with great results.

stubbsy wrote: ...

Does anyone else think "Chopper Read" here? All you need is some sunnies, two revolvers and your ears missing...

Nice series of shots Peter. Not sure I'd be as brave but I certainly commend you for the efforts you've made. I'm still working on a few ideas but I'm such an ugly bugger it may take years for Photoshop to come up with the right tools to make me look any good.

One word "Sexy"

cricketfan
Hitchcockian? I'm suprised Greg B hasn't been in to chastise you on that one!

Thank you all for your comments. I promise I won't do any more (maybe)

Leigh - I agree with your take on the best ones + the one I put in the ES Thread. Not so sure about bearded ladies (we are talking on their face aren't we?)

Dug - your turn now. I've broken the ice for all the BBHNMAM.

Greg - 307 shots since I kept getting up to look at the camera which meant my position kept changing and a fair number were thus framed incorrectly.

Simon - Chooper Reid I hate both tats & guns with a passion and have never worn sunnies

stubbsy wrote:Dug - your turn now. I've broken the ice for all the BBHNMAM.

I have actually been looking to take some middle aged male nude /full frontal shots for a medical project on testicular cancer self examination!

so don't tempt me too much OK!

I hope you know how to examine for testicular cancer and what symptom to look for

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv ... ation?open

Early detection is the best option.

Dug wrote:

stubbsy wrote:Dug - your turn now. I've broken the ice for all the BBHNMAM.

I have actually been looking to take some middle aged male nude /full frontal shots for a medical project on testicular cancer self examination!

so don't tempt me too much OK!

I hope you know how to examine for testicular cancer and what symptom to look for

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv ... ation?open

Early detection is the best option.

I'm not volunteering to be a model!

I've done a testicular self exam about 4 times (each time prompted by something like your link), yet am too apathetic to keep it up. Oddly I get a PSA test for prostate cancer annually (and yes I know it's not as reliable as a finger up the bum).

Most testicular cancer is detected in young men by their wives or girlfriends.

If you find a lump anywhere get it checked out.

Better safe than sorry.

I have had one suspicious lump checked out and was very relieved to get the all clear.

stubbsy wrote: yet am too apathetic to keep it up.

Is it really that hard ?

Alpha_7 wrote:

stubbsy wrote: yet am too apathetic to keep it up.

Is it really that hard ?

Perhaps too difficult?

I like the non-standard lighting ... a lot. The shadows are harsh and if you could reduce or eliminate them (get further from the wall or perhaps a backlight) these would be really good (read really really good).

Craig & Geoff. When I typed that comment I just knew someone would make a pun on it. Thanks for not disappointing it. Good to see someone else is keeping their end up

Mike - Thanks for the comments. I've now satisfied the need to be on the other side of the camera so these are my first & last attempt.

stubbsy u rooly look a lot like my dad but u are better lookin!