Hi, I know there have been quite a few self portraiture related topics, but I've read through most of the ones relevant to my issue and would still be grateful of a little more help. I'm new to the 365 project, having only uploaded three photographs so far, but I'm really keen to start taking some self portraits and I'd really appreciate any tips that anyone could give me. I've been playing around with the self timer on my Nikon for a while, and I have experiemented a bit, but my main worry is that my selfies will be boring or pretentious-looking. Also, I'd love it if anyone wanted to link me to some of their own work so I can get inspired! Thanks :)
ok, fisrt thing i would do is buy a remote for your camera as it gives you more time to set up your pose etc for selfies than the timer as you just click when ready rather than rushing into position, you can pick them up fairkly cheaply from places like amazon, you don't need a nikon branded one, the others work just aswell at a fraction of the cost, then just have fun and experiment, no one need know if they are boring or pretentious as if you don't like them then don't post them ;), selfies are tricky as there is an aspect of vanity in them i suppose.
i have a few in my project if you want to browse through and look, some are taken with my p&s or mobile and others using the remote and my dslr
@sallycheese Thanks for the remote advice - I never even thought about that, so will definitely check that out! And I'm about to have a browse of your project now, thank you!
I did a week of 7deadly sins series which turned out to be a 7deadly selfie challenge for me. Using my kodak c613 p&s camera, most of the time i shoot infront of the mirror with a timer. The rest is just processing, tweaking and editing to make it look less boring. =)
this one taken on a longish exposure on a tripod with a remote timer
this one taken on the edge of the pool with the camera timer
I've also taken a couple with the camera held out at arms length...for me it's about keeping it natural and sticking to environments / situations you feel comfortable in!
I'll ditto the remote comments (that said, I don't use one unless by way of having my camera tethered to my computer).
I rarely do SP's (I don't like being in front of the camera), but every so often I have an idea I want to try. Usually it is something that tells a story, or a bit of humour. I like to have a reason for it. I think that helps with ensuring it doesn't come off as pretentious, though I have to say I don't at all mind seeming pretentious. :D
I actually seem to get selfies that I like best in outside natural light. I don't know why; I thought that this kind of light would show more flaws. If you have it, try your self-timer on the ten second, 3 exposure setting...you have time to get into positon, and then you can shoot three in a row, rather than just one at a time. There is a small break in between so you can strike another pose. I also did the month of selfies in May, and I became more comfortable in front of the camera in general, though like Judith, I agree that it got tough towards the end. :-)
Thank you all for the great advice! I'm just about to have a look through all of your projects, so will most likely be leaving feedback etc :) And @sparkle@jinximages your selfies look great! Really unpretentious and interesting, which is definitely what I'm looking to achieve - thanks so much for the inspiration! I'm really excited to have a go myself, fingers crossed they'll look okay :)
Hey Molly - I took a while, but am now really enjoying the fun !I recently opened a second album which i called Fantasy cause I've been playing with editing and selfies :-) I use a self timer but wouldn't get so dizzy if I had a remote :-) @glyn
It's also really nice to do considering the person with the camera usually doesn't have too many personal shots to look back on when sitting in that rocking chair :-)
@glyn Will definitely check out your album, and yes - you make a very good point. Being behind the camera is fun, but it's always nice to step out of that comfort zone and get in front of the camera too! I've spent the day playing around with the self timer, will most likely upload a self potrait as my daily photo tomorrow - scary times!
just have fun with it- ive been attempting to practise various portraits with myself a lot through my project since generally im the only one whose willing to model for me :)
it helps to work out lighting, exposure and editing so it works for me although id love to have someone else model
I've done a few, some humorous and some serious. However a few people that I follow did a whole month of selfies and the ones that spoke the most to me were when these "strangers" from 365 gave the world glimpses into their real life.
@cfitzgerald@mjkthorpe Thanks for the advice and inspiration! I definitely agree that a look into someone's real world is one of the most powerful things that photography can give us. Just uploaded my first one and honestly, I'm really nervous about what people think but we'll see - the only way to get better is to keep on trying so I'm sure I'll be experimenting a little more with selfies throughout my 365. I still feel a little awkward posting a picture of myself, but I'm sure that'll wear off with time and practise. Thanks again everyone!
I did my month of selfies without a tripod, without a remote and with a point and shoot, sellotape, chairbacks and toy garages.
I'm doing some more selfies cos I have a 'proper' camera, have a sort of tripod thingy, still using timer.
I think the point and shoot was easier tbh LOL.
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i have a few in my project if you want to browse through and look, some are taken with my p&s or mobile and others using the remote and my dslr
this one taken on the edge of the pool with the camera timer
I've also taken a couple with the camera held out at arms length...for me it's about keeping it natural and sticking to environments / situations you feel comfortable in!
I rarely do SP's (I don't like being in front of the camera), but every so often I have an idea I want to try. Usually it is something that tells a story, or a bit of humour. I like to have a reason for it. I think that helps with ensuring it doesn't come off as pretentious, though I have to say I don't at all mind seeming pretentious. :D
my whole projct is self portrait - feel free to take a look :)
best advice is just to have fun.
It's also really nice to do considering the person with the camera usually doesn't have too many personal shots to look back on when sitting in that rocking chair :-)
it helps to work out lighting, exposure and editing so it works for me although id love to have someone else model
you work with what you have
just have a go
I'm doing some more selfies cos I have a 'proper' camera, have a sort of tripod thingy, still using timer.
I think the point and shoot was easier tbh LOL.