Challenging myself... by mcsiegle

Challenging myself...

Generally speaking, self-portraiture is difficult for me as, like many people, I hate the way I look in most photos. So it's always a challenge no matter what. Then I came across this thread posted by the Click @theclick:
http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/22242/the-naked-click

A long, long time ago (when my 36 year old son was a toddler) our good friend and neighbor, Andrea, modeled in the nude along with another woman for a photographer friend of hers. The precise focused lighting produced some stunning abstract images; I've always wished I had explored the possibility of buying a print of one I particularly liked.

Anyway, back to the present. This wonderful image done by Kali @kali66 for an album cover challenge made me think of Andrea. http://365project.org/kali66/365/2014-03-25

I don't have the skill (at least right now) of producing a photo approaching Kali's, but for the last week or so I've been thinking and thinking of what I wanted to post for number 365 to finish my project year before I move right into the next 365 days. Impulsively I decided to go ahead and give it a try -- to challenge myself with this. The other night, when it was late enough that I should have been going to bed, I took my camera down the basement and experimented with the lighting at the top as back lighting. After a few shots with a stool as stand-in, I pulled a table over, put a plastic bucket on top of that, and the camera attached to my little bendy tripod balanced on top of the bucket. And then I got naked and set the camera on 10 second delay. I only took a few shots -- the first two of which were totally unacceptable. After I switched from the light in the hallway directly at the top of the stairs to using the back room to the left and the kitchen to the right, I took this shot. I originally intended it to just be a dry run and I'd come back later if it looked at all promising.

While this is not fine art, I shocked myself by not hating the way I look in this photo. This is the severely cropped version made B&W in Photoshop Elements and a few settings tweaked. I experimented with lots of filters and honestly, I can't remember whether this retains any of them. Grainy as all get out, but that was expected and probably a mercy.

It's tilted because the camera was tilted as it hung askew on the tripod and my feet were too cold to want to fiddle with it to get it aimed straight. LOL. In the end, though, I kind of like the tilt.

In my Alternates album I'm posting the original un-tweaked except to crop less severely.
http://365project.org/mcsiegle/alternates/2014-05-04

PS. In this B&W version, since I lightened the exposure some, there is some sort of weird mark appearing on my chest below my left shoulder that looks like a birthmark or tattoo, neither of which I have. A shadow? I don't think I could successfully clone it out neatly enough to look right.
One doesn't see the best of one selves. take a look at http://www.vivianmaier.com/about-vivian-maier/
you will see it in a different light.
May 5th, 2014  
@dannydavies OK, Danny, I see your point. I looked at Vivian Maier's wonderful work back when she was the artist challenge. I didn't try anything for that challenge. (In fact, I don't think I've tried any of the artist challenges. Hmmm...will have to work on that.) OK she wasn't a glamorous beauty queen -- and not trying to be. But, hey, she had a portfolio full of amazing candid portraits, including lots of herself. If I steel myself to take enough pictures of myself thatI'm comfortable doing it, maybe in 50 years or so (when I'm 112 years old...) I'll look back and say "OK, not too shabby." Now THAT would be a good challenge for myself -- doing a month of self portraits (I hate the word "selfie" applied indiscriminately.) Anyway, thanks!
May 5th, 2014  
I really like this and kudos for bravery. I tried my only naked selfie back on the first of Feb. it's scary. But good to stretch those boundaries.
May 5th, 2014  
Kudos in bucket loads Mary for attacking your demons head on. And the best thing is... this beautiful photo doesn't need any explanation - it works perfectly just as it is. Way to go!
May 5th, 2014  
@pandorasecho Dixie. I just went to look at your picture. So lovely! The colors, the way you've composed it and edited as a montage. Just a beautiful portrait of the female form. Yes, here's to stretching boundaries! I like the idea of no-fear-February. I'll have to remember that.
May 5th, 2014  
@vignouse Thank you so much, Richard.
May 5th, 2014  
you realize of course that this is your 365th photo for this album! congratulations, mary, and what a way to celebrate this milestone. while i could probably do a week of self portraits, i just don't have enough confidence doing a nude shot and pulling it off as you did here. great composition and lighting employed. i love it!
May 5th, 2014  
Very very well done Mary! A challenge indeed and you have done a great job. I really like the composition and the pensive mood. I take my hat off to you! Congrats on completing your project too - another great achievement - well done you on all counts.
May 5th, 2014  
It's a very nice shot Mary. Congratulations on your 365!!
That birthmark/tattoo like shadow could be from your spectacles reflecting a light.
May 5th, 2014  
Hey Mary. I am so sorry your challenge is taking me so long. Im writing this fast so you know Im in, I just will have to issue your challenge later today when I have time to sit and go through your project! Thanks for my challenge by the way. :) I hope its ok that its taking me so long!!!!
May 6th, 2014  
@katiebrenkert No problem. The week is still young! :-) I'll look forward to seeing what you come up with for me.
May 6th, 2014  
First of all I love the way you are always trying new things and all the effort that goes into your planning and thought process. Secondly this is an awesome shot...good for you! Love the pov!! And finally CONGRATULATIONS on your 365th pic! So glad you are staying on!
May 20th, 2014  
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