Another attempt at lighting a self portrait

[rokkstar]

Ok, sorry to do this to you again guys, but I'm REALLY into portraits at the moment - especially trying to experiment with the moody, fashion type shot. This moves on from the suit ones I took last week and takes into consideration Garys recommendation for a reflector.

I would appreciate your comments on how this has come out (again ignore the subject and gay pose I decided to adopt ). I know the face is looking a bit hot in some places, the light source was maybe a bit too close to my face. This was taken using only one light, nothing on the background. What would be your recommendations for improvement?


Cheers

[Antsl]

Hi RokkStar,

Interesting attempt although I think that you need to draw more emotion out of the subject ... it is looking a little to much like the deer stuck in the headlights look! Keep talking to the subject and through mere discussion about anything get him into a look. The idea is to engage the model so that they engage the viewer!

Re the lighting, you have got the light a little too close however as another idea, try lighting from the left. Dont forget that you can use a Gobo (a card or something similar) to block light into particularly areas of the image, in partricular the hand that is closest to the light!

Hope this is a help!

[Greg B]

......Keep talking to the subject and through mere discussion about anything get him into a look. The idea is to engage the model so that they engage the viewer! ......

I think you may have missed the key words in the subject line...

"self portrait"

[Heath Bennett]

great S.P. for some reason it looks as though your face is stuck on some guy that has more chest hair than I could ever grow... But the stuck on face isn't necessarily a bad thing - it means that you have an incredibly certain point of interest, no confusion to the eye.

[Glen]

Hi RokkStar,

Interesting attempt although I think that you need to draw more emotion out of the subject ... it is looking a little to much like the deer stuck in the headlights look! Keep talking to the subject and through mere discussion about anything get him into a look. The idea is to engage the model so that they engage the viewer!

Antsl, I think the subject is self obsessed, no amount of talking will help

Matt, glad to see the Hoff look is starting to get a run, it must be frustrating with no models at home during the day. I like the shot, but like antsl said, I can see you concentrating on the shot here. To be honest I would think it would be very hard not to be that way in a self portrait. Maybe try talking to talking to yourself and having a drink with yourself first

[Antsl]

Ah, maybe I should be encouraging Rokkstar to be working on his acting and modelling skills then! Make love to the camera baby!

[rokkstar]

Hi RokkStar,

Interesting attempt although I think that you need to draw more emotion out of the subject ... it is looking a little to much like the deer stuck in the headlights look! Keep talking to the subject and through mere discussion about anything get him into a look. The idea is to engage the model so that they engage the viewer!

Antsl, I think the subject is self obsessed, no amount of talking will help

it's beginning to look like that isn't it.

I took these during lunch today - I'm getting so fed up PP'ing pictures of myself. I am totally going to have to go and press gang some gorgeous young women into modelling.

Heath - that mane on my chest you see is my hommage to Sean Connery! I once for a laugh put a strip of industrial sticking tape across it and immediately regretted it - pulling it off bruised my chest. So now it is something to be treasured

I agree about the lack of emotion in the model, but I was more interested in the lighting really. I'll try again, moving the light further and perhaps moving the reflector closer on the other side.
Thanks for the critique people.

[Glen]

Matt, you live in Surry Hills, just stick up a few posters saying free portraits by amateur photographer looking to go pro. Absolutely no charge.

Should get a few replies.

[elffinarts]

I've got no end of friends in Sydney who'd likely be happy to model. They're mostly on modelmayhem.com and lots of them are happy to do time for prints or time for cd's.

There's a very large number of Sydney models on DeviantART as well. On either of those forums you can find me as Elffinarts and I can direct you to those people if you sign up

[wendellt]

Shit matt this is cool
what lighting setup are you using?
i swear your this close to the fashion photographer masters at DLM and 2C management, in terms of art direction.
I think you should get a model and do some test shots

I actually know a girl who would be quite willing.

[Heath Bennett]

I actually know a girl who would be quite willing.

Sounds great Wendell - send her over

[stubbsy]

Matt

I really like this shot. I think the desat PP is spot on and, with a shade more expression in your face (not a smile, just a bit more bored rather than startled expression) I think you'd have nailed it. Only minor quibble is that I'd have cropped it at the button that's done up so you had the V shape of the shirt intact without the distraction of the bit at the bottom.

Ignore Heath re: the chest hair - he's probably just jealous (like guys who can't grow anything but bum fluff on their chin hate beards) plus I think this obsession with waxing or lasering every stray bit of body hair is unhealthy and unnatural, but then I'm a little hirsute myself (and proud of it ). I'll get off my soapbox now. (Oh and just to be clear I will NOT be entering into any discussion about depillation of women's armpits or legs)

[gstark]

Matt,

This is great - shadow detail is spot on. Pull this one back to B&W to help deal with the blown highlights on the left cheek, but be careful to keep the shadow details exactly has you have them now.

[BBJ]

Matt, your avatar and self portrait are starting to make me wonder about that uhmm Gay Pose.LOL Nah mate looks good from here, job well done i think. I would not complain about it, bad when you cant get someone to pose for you. Well wont be long off to see if i can get my D2x off the buss instead of waiting till tomorrow as have a shoot to do.
Cheers
John

[rokkstar]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Wendell, this is lit with one light source in a home made softbox, with a reflector. I think I could have done with a fill light, or at least a background spot. And no way am I close to 2c mate - have you checked them out recently? I got a long way to go. Very interested in this girl you know though.

Peter, I can't look at this now without thinking someone has just told me they have crashed my motorbike!! I was thinking about cropping to the button too. Glad there is another member who is proud to be masculine!

Gary, I'll give it a go in B&W, but I might be able to save it a bit by playing with the levels. hmm, i'll have a play.

BBJ - I have actually taken a shot of myself in the Hoff pose but there is no way I'm THAT brave to post it.
Cheers chaps

[wendellt]

[quote="rokkstar"]Thanks for the comments guys.

Wendell, this is lit with one light source in a home made softbox, with a reflector. I think I could have done with a fill light, or at least a background spot. And no way am I close to 2c mate - have you checked them out recently? I got a long way to go. Very interested in this girl you know though.

Yo Jez Smith represented by 2C is absolutely kick ass, but your lighting setup looks complex, you want want to try using one large softbox front on and then get 2 big pieces black cardboard and get someone to hold them close to the side of your face this will absorb the light and give the side of your face a darker contrast, move the board around looking at a mirror and see what it does to your face, a handy trick the pros use to give a face more dimension. something i picked up observing a fashion shoot once.

you have shown your resourcesfulness in abundance here by making a home lightbox and using it skillfully. I am sure with a couple of assistants and some of the proper equipment you can be right up there.

[marcotrov]

Matt levity aside, particularly regarding the thick vest you are wearing I think you have managed the lighting really well, despite some hot spots which have been addressed by antsl and gary. Like gary i think B&W would be a worthy experiment, and I'm impressed with your self made softbox. What materials did you use I'd like to try and make one mysef, mind you as a handy man I SUCK!
cheers
marco

[Jonesy]

BBJ - I have actually taken a shot of myself in the Hoff pose but there is no way I'm THAT brave to post it.

GO THE HOFF!!!!!!!!!!

[gstark]

Matt,

One other suggestion if I may, regarding lighting.

Grab a window that lets in a fair amount of light. Open or remove any blinds or other impediments to the light, and then just over the whole of the window with a plain white sheet.

Instant southlight!

Or if you have a room with a window facing the south, even better.

[Alpha_7]

Really like it matt, I agree with Stubbsy crop the bottom and you have a nice 'V' to lead up to your head... I think your pretty lucky to have a good looking model to work with.

[Matt. K]

Matt
This image could have been lifted straight out of the latest "Vogue" magazine. Don't sweat the hotspots...they are "in". I think you should keep exploring the potential of yourself as a model/photographer. Look at the work of Cindy Sherman who became famous photographing herself in different styles. And in my opinion she did not even do it all that well. Keep pushing the boundries and prepare for an exhibition.
Bloody good work!

[Glen]

Matt, I have succumbed to the power of the Hoff. I am sure you have done more than the three suit shots and this shot. You must have had a few trials? Can we see the full series now? Pretty please with sugar on top? I was a fan, but like this more and more (mainly cause I see it a dozen times a day!). Let the Hoff fans have a taste.

[stubbsy]

At the risk of sounding like a fanboy - me too. Show us the outtakes from this and the suit session.

[rokkstar]

Why, yousa all gone an made me bluush.
Here are the rest of the series I've been working on. Once again, lack of models forces self portraits - but needs must people.

[wendellt]

all very urban and gritty bustling with chic
but th elast one is coolest

[the foto fanatic]

Help! We've created a monster!

[Jonesy]

Mate there is nothing to be embarassed about with these... anyone tell you that you look like Ed Kowalczyk, lead singer from the band 'LIVE'. you could be a ........... ROCK STAR ........ rokkstar

Nice work and thanks for posting the rest

[kipper]

What did you use as the background?

[rokkstar]

What did you use as the background?

Just the walls of my apartment. I tried a variety of backdrops including a leopard print to see what that would look like, but could never get the light right on it.

I've never been compared to Ed Kowalczyk, but I have been compared to Mr Potato Head.

[Glen]

Matt, I like them all. Now we need a hook to market you with, (maybe always holding something in your hand?), you could be selling these in some London gallery for 250 quid a print, or full set for 3k. You even seem to have more expressions than Roger Moore

[sirhc55]

Super, he said with hands planted firmly on hips - these certainly are worth putting in your portfolio - just make sure you go to the right agencies

[Matt. K]

Matt, That last shot is a masterful image. You are onto something here and you need to take it to the nth degree. Make very large high quality prints and flog them at the markets for $445 each. The chicks will buy them because they are sexy and the old rich tarts will but them because they are art and some of the male forum members might buy them because....er....not sure why.

[rokkstar]

I must say that I'm a little surprised at the reaction to these. I do think they are good, I'm starting to appreciate studio photography and light more, but I wouldn't have thought they were marketable. The idea of selling them was something I never even considered - it was an excercise in learning primarily.
Don't get me wrong, the feedback and reaction is great - just wasn't prepared for it.

Many thanks everyone

[stubbsy]

Matt

Thanks for sharing these. They are all good, but the last two are real standouts. I think they are better than any you've posted so far. And get over the fact you don't like looking at yourself - you have the right look for these pics (not sure I want your poster hanging on my wall though )

[Matt. K]

Peter
Sorry to hear that. There was a rumour going about that Birddog had a large number of posters made up as gifts for all the forum members as Xmas presents. Rockstar specials...wearing very little but a little stubble and a Santa hat. Oh...and there was a stocking placed somewhere appropriately.

[wendellt]

Super, he said with hands planted firmly on hips - these certainly are worth putting in your portfolio - just make sure you go to the right agencies

yeah rockkstar agreed just take these to DLM and 2C management when your up there shooting gorgeous models don't forget about us or where you came from.

[Geoff]

Matt - I'm a little late on this thread but I think the last image that you posted (the sunnies shot) it superb! You have a creative flair and style that will take you a LONG way! Well done!

[rokkstar]

Peter
Sorry to hear that. There was a rumour going about that Birddog had a large number of posters made up as gifts for all the forum members as Xmas presents. Rockstar specials...wearing very little but a little stubble and a Santa hat. Oh...and there was a stocking placed somewhere appropriately.

This can be arranged and would make a nice door prize for everyone at the christmas dinner.

[zafra52]

I think you have here a great photo. I am not so sure if using a reflector to bring more light to the right would improve the portrait. It would certainly change the general mood. I thinks is good the contract of light on the face.

Anyway, I wish my pics were as good as yours.

Manuel

[big pix]

Peter
Sorry to hear that. There was a rumour going about that Birddog had a large number of posters made up as gifts for all the forum members as Xmas presents. Rockstar specials...wearing very little but a little stubble and a Santa hat. Oh...and there was a stocking placed somewhere appropriately.

I want one if it is signed.......':lol:'

[bago100]

Hola!

A special welcome to Zafra52!

Congratulations on your first post and we would like to see many more

Cheers

Graham