http://www.photosanddesign.com/shutter-photo/
How To Take Your Self Portrait
Although you might think that a photographer would love taking a self portrait, it’s actually one of the most difficult pictures to take. With self portraits you don’t have the advantage of looking through the lens and carefully composing your image, so it can be real tricky to get it right. But with that being said, there are a few important tips you can use to make taking your self portrait a whole lot easier.
Delay Timers
Nearly every SLR made in the last ten years has a delay timer, and you can use this to your full advantage when shooting self-portraits. This delayed timer will give you between 5-10 seconds (depending upon the camera) to push the timer and to run into the picture area just before the shutter releases. Although this isn’t ideal, it will work if you have no other options.
Remote or Wireless Shutter Releases
A remote shutter release will allow you to activate your shutter without having your finger on the trigger. They come in many varieties (including wireless) and work with most newer cameras and are the best option for taking serious photographs of yourself. They come in price ranges starting at about $30 and can go up to around $50 for wireless releases, or you can try building one yourself if you’re tech savy.
Recruit a Friend
In almost every case (unless you can measure the distance and set your focus appropriately), it’s best to have someone sit so you can make sure the composition and focus are right on. For someone sitting in, a patient friend who is roughly your height will usually work fine, or you can position an object in the same position and height as where you’ll be. Focus is one of the hardest things to get right in self-portraiture, so don’t get frustrated if it takes a few shots.
Be Honest
Be honest, the job of a photographer is to show an accurate representation, so be careful of trying to only show the images that put you in the very best possible light. This doesn’t mean you can’t take flattering pictures of yourself, but just consider the technical perspective instead of just considering the most complementary one. You want the picture to tell a story, so whether you look “good” is really of secondary importance. Just remember that’s it not about how nice you’ll look framed in a beautiful picture frame it’s about the quality of the image.
Get Your Lighting Right
Getting perfect lighting while shooting a self portrait can be quite challenging. If you have someone stand in for you, they will likely not have the same skin tone as you, so you will need to make adjustments throughout the shoot to get your ideal lighting. The best strategy here is to set your camera to full-manual; this will allow you to purposefully modify every photograph you take without being at the mercy of what the camera’s internal sensors decide is right.
When it comes to using lights, you can use natural light, desk lights, floor lamps and even your camera’s flash to create the lighting that you want. Don’t be afraid to spend a couple of hours on your shoot; messing with the little details can be one of the most fun parts of self-portraiture.
Be Creative
Just like with other types of portraiture, taking your self portrait requires a bit of creativity and thought. Use your imagination to think of ways that you can present yourself in different ways from the standard portrait. Props, costumes, and dynamic lighting setups can help to make your images stand out. And, if you want your picture to look good on the wall, make sure to select a complementary metal picture frame that will highlight your photo as opposed to fight with it.
So, have fun taking your self portrait as it can be a fun break from the demands of other portraits. With self portraits, there are no pressing deadlines so take as much time as you need to get it right. In the end, it’s your own imagination that is your only limitation in getting the self portrait that you’ve always wanted.
DSLR Photography Tips – Controlling ambient light through Shutter Speed when using Flash
|
|
Photo Mugs …. |
|
|
Afternnon sunlight Photo Mugs Afternnon sunlight on a building in the Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome, Italy. (Used in 2012 Calendar)…. |
|
|
Architectural detail showing green wooden shutter on yellow wall with ornate Photo Mugs Architectural detail showing green wooden shutter on yellow wall with ornate wall lamp and shadow, San Quirico dOrcia, Tuscany, Italy, Europe…. |
|
|
A Hundred Million Suns $5.58 The Snow Patrol we meet on A Hundred Million Suns is a band facing the same dilemma that Coldplay met on 2008’s Viva la Vida; having conquered the world with a rousing, melancholy brand of MOR indie, where now? On the surface, A Hundred Million Suns seems to suggest, nothing especially new: producer Jacknife Lee, who first worked with the band on 2003′s Final Straw and went on to work with t… |
|
|
Piranha [Blu-ray 3D] $19.99 Debating the merits of Piranha 3D, director Alexandre (Mirrors) Aja’s testosterone-driven valentine to Joe Dante’s 1978 original and the excesses of ’80s genre films in general, is a fool’s errand; it is, after all, a movie about prehistoric fish preying on hormonal partygoers in various states of undress–and in 3D, mind you–so any review must answer the question–does it deliver what its key au… |
|
|
Introduction to the Canon T1I / 500D, Vol. 1: Basic Controls $12.99 Take great pictures with your Canon T1i / 500D! All you need is this training DVD and about ninety minutes, and you will have the knowledge and the confidence to create the images you want. The topics are arranged in chapters, so you can move at your own pace, and return later to individual subjects. And much more! The Canon T1i / 500D is a powerful camera. A solid understanding of its feature… |
|
|
Introduction to the Canon XSI/450D and XS/1000D $10.99 Take great pictures with your Canon XSi 450D or XS 1000D!’All you need is this training DVD and about two hours, and you’ll have the knowledge and the confidence to create the images you want.’The topics are arranged in chapters, so you can move at your own pace, and return later to individual subjects.’Topics include: Be Prepared (To Get the Shot),’Shutter priority, Aperture priority/Depth of fie… |
|
|
Black Camera Cufflinks $39.99 Black Camera Cufflinks W/Gift Box. These uniquely designed Black diecast camera cufflinks feature a silver lens! Perfect for any photographer. Included with every pair of links is a black gift box.Cufflink Details * Enamel & Silver Plating * Height: 3/4 inches * Weight: 20 grams * Diameter: 15 mm… |
|
|
Wood Linen Cabinet $103.05 Closet space can be hard to come by, so when you need a little more room for bathroom and bedroom extras, consider a wood linen cabinet. The plain white wood design allows it to fit in with many decorating schemes, and can even be made to match such things as wallpaper, by decorating it with dried flower wreaths or crepe paper bows. Tall, and slender, it fits nicely into the corner of a hallway,… |
|
|
American Lighting ALSENSPAR Automatic Outdoor Photo Control Screw-in Adjustable Light Shutter, 150-Watt Maximum $12.00 Finish:Green Photocell Outdoor Automatic Light Control Screw-In. Adjustable light shutter. 150 watts maximum. CSA listed…. |