“It is when you lose sight of yourself, that you lose your way. To keep your truth in sight you must keep yourself in sight and the world to you should be a mirror to reflect to you your image; the world should be a mirror that you reflect upon.”
― C. JoyBell C.
As long as artists have been creating images, the self portrait has existed. For the first assignment we’ll be following in the footsteps of many before us and creating an image that tells a story about ourselves.
A Few Tips For Taking A Self Portrait
#1: Bring Something to Focus On
Depending on your location, you may have a hard time getting the correct focus when shooting by yourself. Bring something to stand in your place. Height doesn’t matter so much as distance, but try to match it to yourself as best as you can for accuracy. If you have an extra tripod or light stand, these make perfect substitutes that will stand upright exactly where you need them.
#2: Try Out Reflective Surfaces
Reflective self portraits are really fun to take. Look into the mirror at your camera lens and you’ll appear to be looking at the camera in your photo (never look at yourself in the mirrow when taking a photo). Turn the flash off. Try a lot of different angles. You can hold the camera really low or high so that it isn’t seen in your photo. I always take a deep breath before firing the camera so that I can hold it as still as possible. Reflective photos can be lots of fun! Be sure to try different rooms in your home to find the best lighting.
#3: Try Something Brand New
It’s easy to fall into patterns and stick within your personal comfort zone. Try challenging youself to experiment with something brand new. It can be lighting, styling, posing or location, just to name a few. Try something you’ve never tried before!
#4: Let the Details Tell the Story
Self portraits can be so much more than a flattering or pretty photo. They can tell a little story! You can capture memories by creating a series of self portraits about your everyday life, your personality or your quirks. Think about the things that make your life unique that never get captured in photos. It’s easy to overlook everyday things, but try incorporating them into your next self portrait!
A self-portrait should be a very personal expression, not simply a mirror of something you’ve seen elsewhere. Think about who you want to be and how you want to say that. Use props, scenery, pose and lighting conditions to convey your personality. And most of all, have fun!
For more tips on taking self portraits check out Nathan Marx’s article.
Here are some self portraits to inspire you:
Self Portrait Shaving by SaintBob
Self Portrait with Spoons by Fergus Ray Murray
Just a Common Love: Self Portrait by Helga Weber
Self Portrait by Hr. Sammelkorn
Head In The Clouds: Self Portrait by Margo Conner
Self Portrait Face Down by Kevin Dean