Saturday Ambassador
Photography students are required to explore a variety of
genres, techniques and theories. Regardless of your professional interests,
delving into other realms of the photographic arts can broaden your perspectives,
hone your skills and make you a more attentive photographer. One pursuit that is
often overlooked, however, is the art of self-portraiture.
Self-portraiture requires practice to perfect, but it is
a useful skill – one that is not easy to master. The day will arrive, if it
hasn't already, when you will need a profile image for a professional
application, a personal "greeting" to potential customers, an identity
image for a publication or some combination thereof. You could ask another
photographer to create an image for you, but by doing so you lose creative
control of the outcome; it becomes someone else's art.
Learning self-portraiture is also an excellent way to
become a consummate portrait artist; as photographer, lighting technician and
subject, you are particularly aware of every nuance of the portrait-making
process.
Here are some tips for creating fabulous self-portraits:
§ Use
a stand-in, if available, (friend, family member, passer-by or even a Halloween
mask on a stick, if all else fails) to determine how your lighting will appear.
§ Place
an object where you will stand or sit. This allows you to find the proper spot
quickly, as well as providing a point upon which to focus.
§ Ensure
that your focal point is where your eyes will be in the frame. I often place a
light stand in the scene with the tip at the height of my eyes so that I can
focus upon that precise point, removing it upon entering the scene.
§ If
the scene is a landscape and you don't have a handy light stand, mark the spot
with a rock.
§ Look
into a mirror and arrange your face as you'd like it to appear just before
entering the scene. Also, be aware of reflections in glasses, shininess of
skin, clothing wrinkles and other detriments to good portraiture.
§ Find
(or create) an interesting set for your self-portrait. Decide what you want
this image to say about you.
§ Practice!
You are likely to be amazed at the number of applications
for exquisite self-portraiture. It is truly a worthwhile endeavor, as you may
unexpectedly find yourself before the camera as video host; you may need a
self-portrait for a promotional project; perhaps you'll want to refine your
portraiture skills – this is a great way to do it.
~Saturday Ambassador
