get pushed #54 - high key portrait by summerfield

get pushed #54 - high key portrait

my get pushed partner this week, @jocasta has challenged me to take a high key portrait. she said it didn't have to be a face. actually i offered that i will try to capture lightning for her if there was a thunderstorm. but it was kinda tough, i think one thunderstorm happened during the night when i was fast asleep which was quite convenient for me to miss it :-)

so... armed with three lamplights and a large sheet of foil inside my bathroom with white walls and really bright light bulbs, i set up the camera on the tripod. it also occurred to me that i made a promise to myself that on my 60th, i would take a self-portrait. well, i forgot to do that.

i would've waited to colour my hair but i'm really getting lazy with this hair colouring and i thought it wouldn't show up as bad if the photo is high key. after several (say fifty) posed and self-timed shots, i couldn't be happy with any of those, i decided to put my hair up. turned the camera off, i heard it give a small humming sound and proceeded to put my hair up when i noticed the camera's little light frantically blinking which meant that it was on self-timer and it was about to shoot me. and it did and this was it, the last shot of the night. i think i like high key, it didn't quite capture my freckles and my wrinkles.

you know if my mother was alive, i'm pretty sure she would tell me: did you poke your head again inside the flour bag? that's what she always told me and my sisters whenever we got crazy with the baby powder on our faces after bath.

but frankly, i think i look like one of the aliens in that movie "cocoon".
I think you look beautiful! I really like this!
August 3rd, 2013  
great shot my friend. yes a little bit peculiar but I think because you look so serious!
August 3rd, 2013  
@lisabell - thank you, lisabell, you are so kind and so generous! :-)
August 3rd, 2013  
@danig - hey, it's my friend visiting me! thanks, DG. are you wearing your sunglasses? i am, as this is just toooooooo bright! :-)
August 3rd, 2013  
@jocasta - here's looking at you, kid!
August 3rd, 2013  
I think it works- sort of a peculiar expression as Danielle said but you really weren't expecting the camera to do one last shot. I like the high key lighting and think you are very brave to do the selfies you do. I am not that brave! But I did color my hair today. (o:
August 3rd, 2013  
@olivetreeann - wanna know what i was thinking when the camera clicked? it involved the 'f' word. hehehe! for a while i thought there was some supernatural thing happening as i thought i killed the camera when in fact i pressed on the shutter. i'll be having a lot of practice with portraits in the next few weeks so i'll be ready to take your close up when we do meet! :-) thank you, ann.
August 3rd, 2013  
@summerfield You can take a picture, but you can't post it!!
August 3rd, 2013  
Great work
August 3rd, 2013  
Well done
August 3rd, 2013  
You are beautiful
August 3rd, 2013  
Such a kind yet beautiful face...
August 3rd, 2013  
@sarasdadandmom - holy cow! i almost choked! :-) thanks, officer!
August 3rd, 2013  
Great selfie - the high key really makes your eyes and lips stand out.
August 3rd, 2013  
Great portrait selfie shot, don't know much about all this high key stuff, but looks like you've done a wonderful job! You look a lot younger than 60 : )
August 3rd, 2013  
I think this is great- your eyes are fantastic. High key worked well and the catching you off guard worked for a natural expression.
August 3rd, 2013  
Absolutely brilliant - you've definitely met your challenge. I don't know what you look like but I think this is a very flattering portrait.
Last night we had dinner with friends - to celebrate that all four of us woman have had our 60th birthdays in the last year. Think we need a high key makeover - we're not looking as good as you!
August 3rd, 2013  
as said, brilliant portrait. love it, must try this. instant fav. you are so very beautiful, my friend.
August 3rd, 2013  
Beautifully done
August 4th, 2013  
love this!!
August 4th, 2013  
Fab hi-key portrait Vikki.
August 5th, 2013  
Fab u lous
August 6th, 2013  
60.. no freaking way.. not a dang wrinkle my friend. a beautiful face for a beautiful person.. :-)
August 7th, 2013  
@cheribug - that is why high key is now my best friend, you know! i highly recommend it for selfies. :-) thank you, my cheribug.
August 7th, 2013  
What wrinkles? you look fantastic. I like your new profile picture. fav.
August 8th, 2013  
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