I like the shading overall in both photos. The nose shadow, however is an element I think you could do without.
In #2, the hands are cut off. The lighting is subdued down there, but I think you should still choose a composition that avoids that.
I agree with all of that. Back to the drawing board!!
Jim Rickards wrote:
I like the shading overall in both photos. The nose shadow, however is an element I think you could do without.
In #2, the hands are cut off. The lighting is subdued down there, but I think you should still choose a composition that avoids that.
I’ll be mindful of that next time. Learning as I go. So hard to get it all while doing both. Struggle with the light and camera and Nikon app and totally miss the ugly shadow.
Next time!!
sum1sgrampa wrote:
Self portraits are not easy and I really like both of these overall. But I have to admit the nose shadow was pretty distracting.
Gary
Facial tension is something that is part of getting regular portraits for folks to get to a "relaxed" facial tension state. With self-portraits ... I've noticed that almost all of yours have this "forced" tension in them. Kinda like "over-acting" (but, really it's not ... more of a sub-conscious tensions of sorts). I never mentioned it before, not wanting to sound harsh or dissuading (about a nuance). But, in the vein of wanting to help with some clarification ... I'm tossing it in now, along with Gary's point.
Getting folks to a place where their facial tension is reduced / relaxed is one of the main reasons I was never good at portraiture with folks. So, I say this from a place of "I sucked" ... because it's not always easy. There was a subset of folks I could work with well, but others ... I just couldn't get them there.
So, Gary's point about it being "not easy" ... yeah, relaxing facial tension while doing a selfie, isn't easy either. I get that some of them are supposed to have attitude in them, so I recognize that. It's the point that the vast majority (the series) seem to retain that facial tension.
Just something for ya going forward ... as I dig watching your progression on these.
You’re absolutely right. I hate the look of my smile especially a fake one and then there’s that “on air” tension that happens. The other part that’s tough is angles. If I were behind the camera and not just looking at my phone or a laptop (once I tether) at the flipped image.
So hard to see mistakes In real time.
Never feel bad about giving criticism and critique. I know it’s from a good place and I need all of it. I do listen and implement it.
Although I may have a nose shadow on my next one and also cut off my fingers in another. I was so pissed when I saw I did it again. lol.
Thank you everyone.
Rich
RustyBug wrote:
+1
Facial tension is something that is part of getting regular portraits for folks to get to a "relaxed" facial tension state. With self-portraits ... I've noticed that almost all of yours have this "forced" tension in them. Kinda like "over-acting" (but, really it's not ... more of a sub-conscious tensions of sorts). I never mentioned it before, not wanting to sound harsh or dissuading (about a nuance). But, in the vein of wanting to help with some clarification ... I'm tossing it in now, along with Gary's point.
Getting folks to a place where their facial tension is reduced / relaxed is one of the main reasons I was never good at portraiture with folks. So, I say this from a place of "I sucked" ... because it's not always easy. There was a subset of folks I could work with well, but others ... I just couldn't get them there.
So, Gary's point about it being "not easy" ... yeah, relaxing facial tension while doing a selfie, isn't easy either. I get that some of them are supposed to have attitude in them, so I recognize that. It's the point that the vast majority (the series) seem to retain that facial tension.
Just something for ya going forward ... as I dig watching your progression on these.
newyork wrote:
You’re absolutely right. I hate the look of my smile especially a fake one and then there’s that “on air” tension that happens. The other part that’s tough is angles. If I were behind the camera and not just looking at my phone or a laptop (once I tether) at the flipped image.
So hard to see mistakes In real time.
Never feel bad about giving criticism and critique. I know it’s from a good place and I need all of it. I do listen and implement it.
Although I may have a nose shadow on my next one and also cut off my fingers in another. I was so pissed when I saw I did it again. lol.
RustyBug wrote:
Keep at it ... if it was "easy" anyone could / would do it. The fact that you're gutting it out and keep tackling a toughie ... is worthy.
I just realized that my avatar was a selfie while scrambling some rock formations. The smile on my face reminds me just how "relaxed" I was when I shot it.
Way back when, I was taught to be sure and "smile" before making phone calls ... and that technique could help reduce the apprehension / tension in your phone voice. Maybe, working up a bunch of smiles and laughs "pre-selfie" could aid with some of that facial tension. That, or a few shots of Tequila ...
I quit drinking in 2013 but I could try putting on some stand up comedy on the speakers in my basement
RustyBug wrote:
I just realized that my avatar was a selfie while scrambling some rock formations. The smile on my face reminds me just how "relaxed" I was when I shot it.
Way back when, I was taught to be sure and "smile" before making phone calls ... and that technique could help reduce the apprehension / tension in your phone voice. Maybe, working up a bunch of smiles and laughs "pre-selfie" could aid with some of that facial tension. That, or a few shots of Tequila ...
