Learning by maggiemae

Learning

I've come to the conclusion that portrait photography requires more attention to settings than any other scene. It took me ages to get the right speed and aperture combination.

Three good things:
1. I quite like this shot
2. John's out picking buckets of broad beans - means lots of freezing.
3. I must write down what I did or I will forget it!
Lovely selfie Maggie, I like the mood you're creating here.
December 16th, 2013  
In some ways I agree Maggie, but my photo yesterday was just shot using Aperture Priority on the widest open setting (f3.1 I think..) And then I just hand held the camera, pointed it at myself, tried to smile naturally and after four takes it sort of looked ok. I think once you start putting the camera on a tripod and doing all that self timer thing then you are in for a long session!! This is a charming portrait, it's nice to 'see' you!!
December 16th, 2013  
@jackie8 My camera is not a DSLR one so I have limited choices. However its the first time I have used the "M" function. Thank you for your nice comment!
December 16th, 2013  
Congratulations! You did a fabulous job on your settings to create this fabulous photo of yourself. You are a lovely lady!
December 16th, 2013  
Jo
its a really lovely shot and I really like the lighting. I think self portraits are difficult as one tends to be most critical of one's self!
December 16th, 2013  
I agree. I find portraits so hard, don't know why! You've done a great job of this though xx
December 16th, 2013  
Lovely to see you!! A great selfie it is too! I find them very hard to get the focus right but you have got lovley clear focus on the eyes. Great light too!! I am glad you like the shot as usually we are the most critical of ourselves - I never like my sefies!!
December 16th, 2013  
you look lovely, and well done using the m setting! one thing to think about next time is what's behind you, you have greenery growing out of your head in this one!
December 16th, 2013  
You are so beautiful !!
December 16th, 2013  
Love the way you look like you have just turned to say something to the camera.....a very natural look maggiemae & I love your hair , it looks so soft & silky! I never like a selfie but you have done so well & no noticeable reflection of the camera in your glasses...lovely lady!!
December 16th, 2013  
@kali66 I actually wanted this in the background - its a big vase of orange blossom but in cropping the main picture it got lost! The greenery is just to show all sorts of things are going on in my head!
December 16th, 2013  
All the effort resulted in a beautiful self-portrait, very soft and natural.
December 17th, 2013  
That's a beautiful portrait - well done.
December 17th, 2013  
A lovely Selfie Maggie.
December 17th, 2013  
Vee
Very nice pretty Lady!
December 17th, 2013  
Great portrait
December 17th, 2013  
@happypat Thank you Pat for taking the time to comment! Hope you haven't turned Irish overnight!
December 17th, 2013  
Oh, if I looked that good. I'd photo myself every day.
December 17th, 2013  
This is a super selfie Maggiemae - You look so natural and relaxed -- I always hate what I see when I take a selfie --I suppose I prefer to be hehind & not in front of the lens !
December 17th, 2013  
Great selfie. Very pretty.
December 17th, 2013  
good job. i was a bit depressed that the picture on my new drivers license looks better than most of the selfies i have done!
December 17th, 2013  
Very nice!
December 17th, 2013  
@beryl You really have to try so many expressions to iron out the wrinkles and not make more! It takes time!
December 17th, 2013  
Hi there! Good to see you on this side of the camera!
December 17th, 2013  
It is especially hard when you wear glasses (me too). but you really got it right!
December 17th, 2013  
Such a lovely shot, I like the softness about it.
December 17th, 2013  
@yaorenliu I never even thought about this but had the light above and no flash..of course!
December 17th, 2013  
Wonderful lady in black! A very nice selfie!
December 17th, 2013  
Thanks, Anatoly! Nice to hear from you!
December 17th, 2013  
This is a beautiful photo of you! Nice to 'see' you ☺️
December 17th, 2013  
Excellent selfie, Maggie. Well done!
December 17th, 2013  
Oh I agree, and it is something I am planning to work on this year
December 17th, 2013  
Lovely! I like that you caught the feeling of having been captured spontaneously as you just happened to glance over your shoulder. The tones are great as well.
December 17th, 2013  
Very nice to meet you Maggiemae. Lovely selfie!
December 17th, 2013  
Lovely job!
December 17th, 2013  
fav Maggiemae lovely selfie
December 17th, 2013  
It's a lovely selfie! Wow!!!
December 17th, 2013  
Lovely selfie.
December 18th, 2013  
wonderful selfie Maggie!!
December 18th, 2013  
Beautiful portrait Maggie! You look fantastic!! Just a little reflection in your glasses- but goodness- I wouldn't do this for myself so who am I to complain?!
December 18th, 2013  
@olivetreeann Thank you Ann for your response! I never even thought about reflection in glasses when I started! A lot to think about - including the foliage coming out of my head!
December 18th, 2013  
Lovely capture, Maggiemae!
How did you get broad beans already - didn't you just have your version of winter?
December 18th, 2013  
Lovely, like the softness of it.
December 18th, 2013  
Beautiful selfie!
December 18th, 2013  
Bev
Great selfie! You're lovely. This has such a softness about it. Well done.
December 18th, 2013  
very nicely done... you look fabulous!
December 19th, 2013  
I love it!
December 19th, 2013  
I love the question mark in your expression
December 19th, 2013  
@ososki thanks Bill - it was a question mark! Is this shot going to be OK!
December 19th, 2013  
Great selfie! Nice to see what you look like! And you're looking great! well done!
December 20th, 2013  
wonderful selfie....
December 20th, 2013  
Nice portrait/selfie
December 20th, 2013  
Jo
It's a lovely shot, well done, selfies are never easy.
December 20th, 2013  
@jackie8 - That's how I do it JackieS. :)
December 20th, 2013  
I love this selfie, Maggiemae and the angle you looked at the camera. You are very pretty.
December 21st, 2013  
@darsphotos thank you Darlene - that makes me feel good! You should see the awful shots! Wrinkles, double chins, half closed eyes!
December 21st, 2013  
@maggiemae You are welcome, Maggiemae. I do not have a good angle at all and have all that you have mentioned, wrinkles, double chin well more than just double and my eyes are not as wide open as your beautiful eyes are. You also have a beautiful skin tone and hair. You really do look great.
December 21st, 2013  
@darsphotos Darlene - I had to force my eyes to be wide! The settings made more of my skin that I expected. Longer exposure etc. - let more light in!
December 21st, 2013  
A lovely selfie, you've even managed the 'over the shoulder' look - very nice.
December 21st, 2013  
Lovely selfie. I like the classical three-quarter face pose, great catchlights and such vitality!
December 21st, 2013  
it's an excellent selfie maggie .... well shot ....think you have learned :) ...you look beautiful
December 22nd, 2013  
YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL!!!! Great shot.

I have to write down everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 22nd, 2013  
@yonnie You are so good in writing for each of my photos! Thank you for that! Did you notice the echo of this photo in my Christmas one?
December 22nd, 2013  
@maggiemae I didn't notice it at first, but now I do. GREAT JOB!!!
December 23rd, 2013  
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