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Photo Friday: Self Portrait
It's not exactly a secret that I want to be a professional photographer, and in wanting to be a professional photographer, that to me means that I need to be able to take all kinds of pictures, of all kinds of subjects.
Those subjects include people.
Now, the thing is, I hate having my photograph taken. I'm not comfortable in front of a camera and most times, wind up absolutely hating the result.
I figure I'm not alone in this.
So when I got my first digital camera, I made up my mind that I would, every so often, try and push away at my inherent discomfort in front of the camera, and try to relax with it, and in the process, learn a bit about how to make people feel comfortable in front of my camera, and how to make them look good too... because being the vain fusspot that I am, I figure if I can produce a shot of myself that I don't mind showing off to people, then there's a fair chance that I might be able to produce shots that other people don't mind showing off.
All of which is a very long winded explanation as to why I take self portraits.
On Monday morning, I decided to have another go at taking some self portraits, trying to once more push the limits of what I was previously comfortable with, and managed to get what I consider some fairly good shots. One of these you can see at the top right, because I liked it enough to incorporate it into the design of this blog.
One of them, I'm presenting here, because when I woke up this morning I got the email letting me know that this week's Photo Friday Theme is Self Portrait... and so, although I hadn't ever considered posting this here, I've decided that I will.
Why?
Because it's a self portrait.
Because it's a self portrait that I don't entirely hate, in fact, I'm quite proud of this one, and the fact that I was both able to take it without tensing up entirely, and that I've got to a stage where I feel comfortable posting this here.
And so, a small warning, so you can't say I didn't warn you.
Warning: this picture contains skin. If you are offended by skin, don't click.
Submitted to Photo Friday: Self Portrait
April 16, 2004 | Permalink
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Comments
Nice light, love your shoes =) Great Shot.
Posted by: Jinky | Apr 16, 2004 8:42:30 AM
I'm not comfortable on the 'wrong' side of the lens either.
Nice photo, is that a lighting effect or post processing?
Posted by: Gordon | Apr 16, 2004 8:49:25 AM
When I saw you at the weekend, you didn't have such tiny little legs. When did that happen?
(Pete's portable scientist whispers in his ear)
Ah, right. As you were.
Posted by: Pete | Apr 16, 2004 9:18:38 AM
I like the incredibly bored look.
Sort of like family holidays where everyone is lined up in front of the camera while an impossibly mad aunt is attempting to work out the quickest way of breaking a very cheap pop-camera, and they all look very, very annoyed and fidgety for the entire seven minutes it takes the aunt to press the damn button.
(Or might that just be me?)
Posted by: Mark | Apr 16, 2004 9:21:41 AM
LOVE the photo!! Fabulous 'look' you have.. and the lighting is great!! Well done!!
Posted by: venommlss | Apr 16, 2004 11:15:00 AM
*cough* *splutter* (coffee goes everywhere) *wolf-whistle* (etc.)
That aside, a great photo - as always. And to echo Gordon; how much of the lighting is a photoshop effect (diffuse glow, or something?) Or is that asking you to reveal a tightly-guarded photographer's trade secret?
Oh yeah, and *good hair!*
Posted by: jim | Apr 16, 2004 12:12:51 PM
Beautiful You, Beautiful Photo... Very Daring, I love it :)
Posted by: Kevin | Apr 16, 2004 12:14:22 PM
Very elegant and ... strappy. I have seen that crystal in previous pictures but never thought to ask what it was... purple quartz? Smoky quartz? After the main focus of your face in the foreground, your epidermis (hee hee) becomes the landscape of the composition and brings the crystal and the heels into high contrast and the viewer's eye is drawn to them.
Posted by: wheezy joe | Apr 16, 2004 2:30:22 PM
le sigh
Posted by: D | Apr 16, 2004 3:01:28 PM
I'm not very good at analysing why I like a photo so I'll just I do. If you want to get better a photographing people does that mean you need subjects? If you do, email me as I'd love to help.
Posted by: Lori | Apr 16, 2004 4:00:18 PM
Cool! Lesbian porn!
Posted by: D | Apr 16, 2004 4:12:38 PM
Did anyone mention lesbian porn?
Great shot, BTW.
Posted by: Julius | Apr 16, 2004 4:54:27 PM
:-)
Posted by: Dragon | Apr 16, 2004 4:59:09 PM
Brilliant Lesbian porn. (hope you are paying attention Lori)
Posted by: Adrian | Apr 16, 2004 5:11:58 PM
~wonderful, emotive, expressive, intriguing...with appealing color and composition, xlnt submission for the theme, well done!~
Posted by: btezra | Apr 16, 2004 5:56:56 PM
The fact is ... it's a bit of self-exploration and maybe some self-awareness. well done
Posted by: razzi | Apr 16, 2004 8:29:07 PM
Very well done. Very tasteful and aesthetic.
Posted by: Michael | Apr 16, 2004 9:15:52 PM
How beautiful you are. You have a lovely softness, and have captured it well in this photo.
As for self portraits, you are much braver than I.
Posted by: kane | Apr 16, 2004 10:55:06 PM
Working to overcome your fears is always a good idea and you've done a wonderful job with this self-portrait. I've tried self-portraits on a few occasions and never produced anything I really cared to show anyone, though probably the subject matter is a factor in that, too. The shot in the upper-right is also very striking, particularly the contrast between the hair and eye color.
Posted by: Mark Scheuern | Apr 17, 2004 1:16:45 AM
I like that look on your face.
Posted by: Inspector Sands | Apr 17, 2004 9:27:34 PM
You're naked, wearing very high heels - and yet it's not pornographic in the slightest. Okay, I'm a straight female but still. Brilliant photo Pix.
Posted by: Daisy | Apr 17, 2004 10:26:43 PM
*gulp*. i have a necklace just like that. *coff*
lesbian porn is good. as long as it's not just-for-men lesbian porn.
Posted by: cal | Apr 18, 2004 1:23:09 AM
Thanks for all the lovely comments. Although I wasn't fishing for compliments by posting this, I am, nonetheless, grateful for all that you've given me.
To answer your questions:
Gordon & Jim: it's a bit of both, really. The lighting obviously helps, but the glow /soft focus effect is achieved by subtle (or not so) use of gaussian blur on a duplicated layer which is then blended using the multiply function. Not really a trade secret and not my trick either. I first fell in love with the look on Noah Grey's site - http://www.noahgrey.com.
Mark: I was going for "thoughtful", but apparently missed. Trust you to point it out. :-p
Wheezy Joe: The pendant on my necklace is hematite - http://www.minerals.net/mineral/oxides/hematite/hematite.htm - which is my favourite semi-precious stone. I also wear a hematite ring, which you can just see in the picture used in this design.
Posted by: pix | Apr 18, 2004 1:59:35 AM
.
Very good pic
.
Posted by: tocular.blogspot.com | Apr 18, 2004 8:44:08 AM
Damn i thought I already helped out on the lesbian porn, you want more????
Posted by: S | Apr 18, 2004 11:35:58 PM
Gorgeous! I have to say I love the one you've incorporated into your design more though. The reflection in your iris, looks like a road going into your eye...all kinds of metaphorical segue possibilities there! :)
Posted by: Sekimori | Apr 19, 2004 1:54:44 PM
It's rather disarming to unexpectedly see someone you've chatted to for years naked on the internet.
You do look great, though.
Posted by: SiW | Apr 19, 2004 9:21:07 PM
Nice one Pix, although like Sekimori I prefer the one on your main site, excellent hair colour
Posted by: Annie Mole | Apr 22, 2004 1:29:27 AM
Nicely done - the high key/diffuse look works really well.
Posted by: djn1 | Apr 23, 2004 9:11:33 PM
thats a wonderful image, love the softness of your skin and the lovely tones of the image
well done
~~
Posted by: Sandra Rocha | Apr 25, 2004 4:51:14 PM
What a fabulous photo! I love it! I'm just like you - I hate to have my picture taken. Much tequila will be required on May 29th to help me get through that...
Posted by: Christine | Apr 28, 2004 2:35:26 PM
im still reading
Posted by: ian upton | Nov 13, 2004 3:15:46 AM
This is great i am in high scool and was just looking around when i came across this photo, i really like it a lot in fact i didnt even realize you were naked. thanks for giving me ideas but i dont think i am that brave. Keep up the good work
Posted by: Smith | May 9, 2005 5:23:01 PM
Great shot! I like how you framed yourself, how the reddish hair contrasts with your skin, the straps on your legs to set things off and the high key lighting.
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Posted by: Adrian | Jul 25, 2006 6:31:31 PM
You look very pretty and hot. mmmmmmmmmmm
very tastefull but sexy! don't be afraid of showing off. dont be nervous or shy because you dont know most of everyone viewing this and you'll probably never meet so relax. and if people you do know see this they'll probly have more respect for you.
keep it up
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