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Self portrait

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Rachel Foster

New member
I find self-portraits very hard to do and this is the first I've done in a very long time. Other than cropping, this is unedited. The excess skin shine is typically considered a flaw, but I was reluctant to air brush it out. For me, it works with the lighting. I like moody, shadowed lighting and this says "moody" to me. My questions are, in general, does anything about this image work? What needs to be improved? There are no catch lights, for example. Is that a problem? My focus was on the outlines and bone structure.

Obviously shot on tripod, remote shutter release; ISO 1600, f/4.5, 1/160, no flash, flourescent floor lamp for lighting.

smallselfportrait.jpg


Rachel Ann Foster: Self-Portrait​

As a side note, beyond the technical challenges, self portraits are difficult due to vanity reasons. Oh how we suffer for our art! (Joke. Well, no...I mean, yes.)
 
T

Tom Robbins

Member
Rachel,

I know enough about portrait lighting to know I can't help with a critique.

However, I suspect your thoughtful and gracious comments posted here at OPF have endeared you to many hopeful photographers braving these waters. Your photo works to confirm this image.

Thanks for sharing this.
 
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Wayne Stratton

New member
I am stepping out on a limb here, with this being my first attempt at constructive criticism of a photographer whose work I admire from afar.

I think the lighting is spot on, as well as the facial expression....the only thing that seems "placed is your hand". It doesnt seem natural to me. I think if you took the shot over and tried a different pose with your hand you would have a perfect shot.


Humbly,
Wayne
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
Thanks, Wayne. That might be what bothers me about it. I was thinking maybe the lighting needed either to be more or less. Maybe it's the pose, though. I've been comparing it to this one and trying to figure out what works on each image and what doesn't.

smallselfportrait2.jpg


Rachel Ann Foster: Self-portrait 2​
 
fahim mohammed

fahim mohammed

Well-known member
Rachel, that is a lovely portrait ABOUT you.

If it was OF you, I might make some comments or not.

Nice to make your acquaintance.

Best.
 
Winston Mitchell

Winston Mitchell

Member
This is my fourth pass through here.

First off, thank you so much for sharing this.
I wish it was a tad brighter but it's not that important.
If your hand must be included, must it hide important features?

You look a little like you are looking for something to look at. I would not suggest that you look at the camera. Perhaps you could look through it at us? There can be a difference.

Just some impressions...thanks again.
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
Thanks, Winston. I find self portraits horribly difficult. I have to ditch my vanity, I think. That may be the major block.
 
C

Charles L Webster

pro member
Rachel,

I like the first pose, and would change only the key:fill ratio by bringing up the fill a little. I feel it's just a little dark overall, and decreasing the contrast between the sides of your face might help that.

Otherwise, and excellent effort and a good self-portrait.
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Rachel,

It could be presented a little larger. I find it hard to relate to the small size. I wonder why you chose to have your hand in front of your face although it might be a perfect representation of you. The lighting is not an issue.

Asher
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
Asher, the honest answer is I think my mouth looks too severe unless I'm smiling. It's the vanity issue I'm struggling with.

This is what I mean:

smallself33.jpg

Rachel Ann Foster: Self-portrait 3​
 
Asher Kelman

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Rachel,

What do you family and friends say when they are being honest? Do they think it represents you well?

A question, just for the standpoint of flattery, do you not use a frontal light so as to obviate the shadow medial to your right eye. It's not wrong, but why? Folk usually want to diminish such effects. Also you might use your color balance eye dropper on the sclera which are blue.

Asher
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
Ah, that...I don't think my friends and family are honest. They tell me I'm "beautiful" and that's no help! (But probably one reason I love them so much.)

I left these unedited because I had to really fight the urge to airbrush in Portrait Professional. But the eyedropper is a good idea.
 
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Matthew Bryan

New member
I understand what you mean about self portraits being difficult - I have yet to take any serious ones.

That being said, I do think you are being too critical on yourself, I can see how your smile would change the picture, smiles always do. But the essence of a self portrait is to capture that "self" - if you smile constantly, then smile, if not then don't. Personally I think you are a very striking woman, your eyes and cheekbones capture the eye and I think your selection of lighting etc is very well done.

Have you considered instead of your fingers framing your face as you've done in both pictures, having them curled instead? To me your fingers are what's throwing the image off. What about having you palm at 45 degree angle to your face, thumb along your jawline with your chin resting on your index finger between the first and second knuckles?

I'm not sure how clear that is, that's just what popped in my head when I saw the 2 versions you posted. An unbiased opinion of a wanna-be photographer for what's it's worth.

Matthew
 
B

Bart_van_der_Wolf

pro member
Rachel Foster said:
Thank you, Matthew. That's a good idea. I might try it again without hands at all, as well.
Click to expand...

Hi Rachel,

Hands are not a bad thing in a portrait, but they are not a must either.

When you do include them, try to place them as lightly/casually as possible. Try to not really lean on them or have them grabbing the face, but just touching the face or other hand with fingertips. It should look light and casual. Try not to chop of fingers by bending them too much. You can easily add hands when sitting at a table, resting the elbows on the table. Just experiment, but avoid heavy leaning into hands (unless you want to do a dramatic shot ...).

Good luck,
Bart
 
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Wayne Stratton

New member
Rachel, I would love to see a photo of you, as you are thinking about your child playing music for you. The smile and enjoyment in your face would be wonderful to look at.
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
Great idea, Wayne. Even with the technical problems (nose shadow, for instance) and the goofy expression, I like this shot. I may not look "gorgeous" but it reminds me of how I feel when I hear my son play. He was playing Bach's Arioso (from Cantata 156) and then Pachelbel's Canon in D on the oboe. I think this specific shot was the Canon.

ISO 4000, f/4.0, 1/125, tripod and remote shutter release, sidelighting by flourescent desk lamp, back lighting by incandescent lamp, music by a brilliant young oboist.

oboemeframed-1.jpg


Rachel Ann Foster: Self Portrait, Double Canon​


And the young musician (posted previously):

oboehandsframed.jpg

Jacob Eliana: Oboe Hands​
 
J

JimCollum

pro member
Rachel,

I like this version of the image! Not having the hands there opens up your face, and it seems to let more of 'you' out

jim
 
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Matthew Bryan

New member
WOW!! LOVE LOVE the one of his just his hands and his oboe - awesome!!

As a novice can I ask how did you get (on this as well as your portrait shots) the background so dark ?? Completely dark room except for a lamp? In which case how were you able to keep the light only on the hands??

I'm fascinated by the shot and can imagine using the same technique.. if I only knew how!
 
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Rachel Foster

New member
The truth is...I have a small piano alcove in my living room that consists of two short walls, each six to eight feet long. I painted those walls black and hung black sheers over them. The oboe hands was done by putting my son in black clothing and then playing with the contrast and brightness in photoshop a bit. You can always use the history brush to bring back detail in the oboe if you want.
 
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Matthew Bryan

New member
I was hoping for some camera magic that I could replicate LOL That sounds like a perfect setup - will keep that in mind. it's a phenomenal effect.
 
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