Big World, Little Me

People often ask why I photograph myself, or what started me photographing myself.  I sometimes feel odd when taking the photos or sharing them, like it's the ultimate act of self absorption.  The truth is when I first started photographing people I had no confidence working with people.  I had ideas, photos I wanted to try, but I didn't feel up to trying them out on others and that was assuming I could find someone willing to model for me.  So I started off experimenting on myself.

Since then my confidence and skill has grown and I do photograph others.  I still like photographing myself for a variety of reasons.  

• No idea is too weird or odd for me whereas I've had some questioning on poses I've had others do, basic poses at that.
• Unless someone agreed to model specifically for art photographs, I feel uncomfortable with applying the level of post processing that I normally would do.  Some of my more arty photos hide or obscure one's face as well.
• Sometimes I want dark or ugly and most people want to be pretty in their photos so for those, I'm a sure bet.
• I still like to experiment with new techniques, posing ideas and more on myself before trying them on another person.
• Last, I've found it to be therapeutic in a way.  It's helped me see myself from outside eyes and a different perspective.

This year, as a tribute to turning forty and an effort to take more photos for me, I decided to do a 52 week project.  I am documenting that on blogspot at "Goodbye thirties, hello forty".  I am using a Flickr group "Me Again Monday" for weekly themes in an attempt to stretch myself artistically.  Feel free to visit there to see the project.  I am posting my weekly shots along with extras, outtakes and other self portraits I may take during the period.

Do you want to learn to take your own picture?  Here are my tips:

• Use a tripod to keep the camera steady.  If you don't have one a table or counter can work but a tripod can go anywhere.
• You can use the timer on your camera and run into place but if you plan on doing self shots with any regularity I recommend a remote shutter release.  I use a combination of the remote shutter release and the timer so I have time to finish my pose before the picture is taken.
• Focusing is the hardest part.  Have an object to put where you will be and focus on that.  Then set focus to manual so you don't mess it up and you're good to go.
• Don't be shy.  If the picture doesn't turn out, it's between you and the camera and you can hit delete so experiment, try new things, weird expressions.  Have fun.
• If you have an iPhone, there is an app Camera+ that also has a timer and I've been experimenting with it for some self portraits.  It adds a new challenge but also makes it easy to take a photo when I might not otherwise have my camera.  So long long arms.

I hope those tips help.  Here are a few shots I've done over the past few years that illustrate the variety I'm willing to try on myself.

The Snake Woman

The above photo is an example of post processing I would not want to do to anyone's photo but mine.

Disgust Here's one where I'm not going for pretty.  Most people want to be pretty but I wanted to share raw emotion.

Cats meow Who even is this person behind the mask.

A Pretty Nightmare The darker, more photoshopped work is best left to photos of me.

I hope you enjoyed the photos, learned a bit about me and go out and try your own self portraits.  I love reading your comments and would love even more if you linked them to your own self portraits if you take any.  It would be fun to share other's photographs in a future post.