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I've never really done self portraits before, at least ones that are not of the "hold small p&s at arm's length, produce cheesy grin and snap away" variety.

Given that this month's ES is self portraits, I thought it might not be a bad time to start trying. I actually found it a lot harder than I expected it to be. For those who have posted some excellent SPs in the time I have been visiting, I tips me lid to you. A lot of my shots were wasted on getting myself in the frame correctly, and it IS harder to judge exposure etc when you're not behind the viewfinder.

A couple of ideas that I played with in the last 2 days:

1) I think this one turned out the best, even though it is a bit short on originality. The only light source is my SB800 at about 2 o'clock, with LSPJ. 50/1.8, 1/30 @ f/8. ISO500
2) Tried something a bit different. Light from the TV on my right, SB800 with LSPJ on the other side, about 5 metres away, otherwise completely dark. 70-210 @ 70mm, 1/3 @ f/8. ISO800
3) Having a chat to one of our fuzzy friends (not sure if this qualifies as a self portrait if I'm not the only subject!!). 50/1.8, 1/30 @ f/8. ISO500. SB800 w/ LSPJ at about 1 o'clock.
4) This one was an accident, but I thought it came out pretty cool.... Didn't expect it to have a shutter speed quite as slow, so it's all blurred to hell. 70-210 @ 70mm, 1/3 @ f/4. ISO1600. Same lighting as #2

Comments, suggestions welcome! I'd love to hear from the self-portrait gurus Might improve when I get used to looking at my own face staring out at me at 100% on my screen...

I prefer the second, the third has a nice sense of humour about it but doesn't engage with the viewer

The second one for me too.

Des - #2 (although oddly it doesn't look like you to me). Make sure you put one in the ES thread too.

Thanks for the feedback guys

Glen, the pic with the froggie was my way of getting a bit of comic relief after 15 minutes of "serious" poses. I'm not naturally serious, so it was needed!

Peter, I'll definitely submit one to the ES this week.. This is my sneaky way of gauging response for which was the "best" to submit

I'm definitely no portrait guru, but I do like the 1st one with it's overpowering shadow effect.

In the second, there are a three glints in each eye which I find distracting. They are easily cloned out. All in all a nice effort. Max

Well I actually prefer the forth... it holds more interest for me as the pose is less portrait typical and your expression has me wondering a little what you might have been up to... maybe you've been caught with hands in the cookie jar?

I prefer the last shot simply because it does not look posed - and it’s in colour

I think the last one is my pick of the bunch. The extra light flare adds something else to the image.

Des
I like the last one. It's as if you are watching a film strip.

Hi
I like the last one with your eye stairing at the camera, lơk like you are in a big supprise.

regards
spada

It's the last one for me as well. This photo really made me laugh. It is the classic comedic expression when you are staring into the camera like you're trying to see something. If it was film, the next scene would be that something would squirt you in the eye.

#1 is #1


I like #3 too but I am a frog person