Try a Self-Portrait Project!

lawsonstone · Mar 30, 2009

I am now 11 days into my 365 Self-Portraits project.

I am amazed at how much I'm learning about setting up a scene, thinking about backgrounds, etc. I'm getting totally comfortable popping out the tripod, remote, setting up an off-camera flash. I'm losing my inhibitions about being seen photographing myself.

I am also learning I only have about 3 ideas for what makes a good self-portrait. Me at my desk, me after jogging, me in the barn. I realize now my other portraits of friends have been boring because I don't really let my mind jump to new ideas for portraits. Having to do this every day has brought home the need to flex my imagination more.

So I'm learning about my gear, and about my B- imagination! All in all, good fruit from this enterprise so far.

What have you learned from this kind of project?
--
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Lawson G. Stone
I don't make history, just memories.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawsonstone/

EnriqueBello · Mar 30, 2009

The only usefullness i see on a 365 Self-Project is to see how much one get's older in a year. It would be funny to make a movie with all the 365 frames which would result in a 14,6 seconds movie of one getting older.

--
Enrique

CopCarSS · Mar 30, 2009

lawsonstone said:
What have you learned from this kind of project?

I learned that it wasn't for me. I got about 150 days into mine, and realized that a good 60-70% of my SP shots were lame things shot at the end of the day with very little thought put into them.

When I focused on my project, I was very happy with the results. It was just too much for me to try to be creative every day with it.

I am completely envious of folks that stick to their SP projects -- especially the ones that really put up amazing shots day after day like Keitha. Alas...it just wasn't for me.

I wish you all the best with your SP project!
--
Chris
Denver, CO

Cynthia FarrWeinfeld · Mar 30, 2009

Cool Lawson! I have heard of this project, and one of our fellow dPreviewers (dPreviewans? dPreviewites?) did this project--but her name escapes me at the moment--I'm sorry! It's not Keitha, is it? Keitha McCall? Anyhow--it was a fabulous project and she took some wonderful self-portraits and I think even did a blog about it. . . (Correct me if I'm wrong--I know people will! lol!) Anyhow, I have considered this over and over, and maybe I will too! Want to post them on flickr and keep each other posted? Cindy
--
My PPG-- http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/cynthiafarr-weinfeld
http://www.cindysphotoquest.blogspot.com
My photo site: http://www.cfwphotography.smugmug.com

K McCall · Mar 30, 2009

I don't know if you've seen this, but it's a video of a guy who took a portrait of himself every day for six years with basically the same pose. You can see him gai weight, lose weight, get his hair cut, and - like you said - get older.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B26asyGKDo
--
Keitha McCall

Pentaxian and Snapshot Shooter since April 2007
http://flickr.com/photos/aravis121/
http://www.ascenicworld.com

lawsonstone · Mar 30, 2009

Keitha's project is the one that got me thinking past holding the camera at arms length and making a wierd face. I'm actually using it to try to think of creative ways to do a portrait of anyone, with myself as the guinea pig. I'm a journaler, and so this is also a way to spend a few minutes each day thinking okay, how do I see this day and my life? I know that likely sounds lame, and I may not make it through the year--but I am having fun with the camera and I'm seeing the day differently by trying to think of shots that will be interesting and worthwhile.

So far, my best side seems to be the back of my head!
--
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Lawson G. Stone
I don't make history, just memories.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawsonstone/

Gordo · Mar 30, 2009

I'm 89 days into a non-self-portrait 365 project. Just a photo a day, of anything that strikes my fancy that day. Some days I really get into it and produce something memorable, while other days it's forced. But I really feel that by using my camera every day under a variety of conditions I'm getting better at capturing the shot that's in my mind's eye.

Self portrait or not, it's definitely a learning experience.

Now if I could only work through the backlog and get them all posted. I'm about 6 weeks behind in PP now. Yikes!
--
Alan
Gallery at http://blandcanyon.zenfolio.com

coleviolin · Mar 30, 2009

That's a great idea. That's why I take random picture most of the time, and look at them for ideas. That's why there's nothing wrong with "point and shoot". That's why there are no coincidences. I might learn something from "mistakes". I might learn. Cheers,
--
Lipo

JensR · Mar 31, 2009

lawsonstone said:
So far, my best side seems to be the back of my head!

Ha! Can't say that of myself!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22070130@N07/3055116402/in/set-72157605939767867/

Good luck with the project, Lawson!

Cheers
Jens

--

'Well, 'Zooming with your feet' is usually a stupid thing as zoom rings are designed for hands.' (Me, 2006)
My Homepage: http://www.JensRoesner.de

betsypdx · Apr 2, 2009

I've started doing this myself. I did a photo a day in 2006, and decided I needed to get over my aversion to pictures of me given how many I take of others, and am now almost 100 days into a SP a day. Lots of "at arms length" portraits.
--
Betsy
http://www.pbase.com/betsypdx
http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsypdx

tigrebleu · Apr 2, 2009

I have true respect for people doing such one-picture-a-day projets.

Maybe because I don't have enough discipline for such enterprises, lol.

Best success to you on this project.

--
Once you've mastered the technique and the equipment, you can concentrate on
the more important aspects of photography: originality, atmosphere, emotion
and — ultimately — soul.
— Jeff

Adam Aitken · Apr 3, 2009

Alright Jens, I love my Audi too. I think I will try to outdo you on expressions of AUDIauto-lust!

AA
--
'Photography is nothing else than a writing of light' - Eduardo Cadava

http://adamaitken.blogspot.com
http://www.pbase.com/adam_aitken

PPG - http://www.pentaxphotogallery.com/adamaitken

rgmwa · Apr 3, 2009

I love Audi's too but what about Toyota'? .....anyone?....Hmm....No, thought not!

Meanwhile Lawson, I'm following your 365 project with interest. I don't think I would last the distance, but I'm intrigued by what you're learning on the way.
----
Robert
rgmwa

JanneM · Apr 3, 2009

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Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jannem/
Blog: http://janneinosaka.blogspot.com

nigbat · Apr 3, 2009

I greatly admire these projects, but lack the commitment for the full 365, so I'm doing a shoot-myself-when-I-can-be-bothered one.

So far, I'm discovering that the more of my face I can obscure, the better I look.
Probably this example doesn't go far enough, but I'm getting there.

JensR · Apr 3, 2009

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22070130@N07/sets/72157605939767867/

--

'Well, 'Zooming with your feet' is usually a stupid thing as zoom rings are designed for hands.' (Me, 2006)
My Homepage: http://www.JensRoesner.de

mkkawamo · Apr 3, 2009

I did something similar to this, but it was to document my T-shirt collection.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/guaca42/sets/72157600266357721/

and the Youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyiXg0cFK5M

shane gerrish · Apr 3, 2009

i find it hard enough to get one half decent pic out of a couple of dozen taken of me when i need one for something ...
no way would i be able to do that every day.

i guess i'm just not very photogenic

--
Shane,Gold Coast Aussie. Lens list in profile.
http://bigred4x4.blogspot.com/2008/01/welcome.html

JanneM · Apr 3, 2009

Well, you want to look at this every day of the project?

Or badly focused film version:

Turns out, of course, that none of my pictures with myself and any research apparatus are online...

--
Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jannem/
Blog: http://janneinosaka.blogspot.com

lawsonstone · Apr 3, 2009

is a good example of why close ups don't always make the best portraits...

--
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Lawson G. Stone
I don't make history, just memories.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lawsonstone/

Try a Self-Portrait Project!

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