Thursday, February 9, 2012

Day 10: Self-portrait

For the record: I hate self-portraits.  Especially the kind where you hold the camera out in front of you and try to pose naturally.  Every time I look at a picture like that, I think, "Is my nose really that big?  Are my eyes really that tiny?"  They're never flattering on me.  I know people who look awesome in Hold the Camera Out in Front of Your Face photos, but I am not one of them.  (My Awesome Friend Wendy has turned this into an art form.)  I prefer to use a self timer and get as far away from the camera as possible.  I realized the other day that I didn't know how to use the self-timer on my SLR camera.  Today I decided to give it a shot.  As you can see, the focus wasn't awesome.  No, I did not make it soft focus in editing so I could look like a 1940's movie star.  It just happened naturally.  Don't be jealous.  Also, I didn't intentionally give myself crazy eyes.  That also happened naturally.  I hate self-portraits.

6 Wisecracks:

allyn said...

i HATE pictures of me. they don't even have to be self-portraits. i always wonder if the things that stand out to me are also the things that people notice when they are looking at me. this one of you is adorable. the expression on your face...classic. are you in a photo booth? :)

Lindsay said...

EVERY time I come to your blog I end up leaving with *at least* a big smile one my face. . . usually I've chuckled somewhere in the middle, too.

I, too, hate self portraits. I also usually hate any other pictures that my face happens to make it into. I had a sad realization not to long ago that whenever I see a fuzzy picture of myself I think, 'Oh, too bad that one isn't in focus...I actually look decent.' But, see, I think it's BECAUSE it's fuzzy that i look decent... not much can go wrong when all you can really piece together is two eyes and a smile. :)

If you ever care to take a self portrait that isn't fuzzy however, just stick some other object like a broom handle or a teddy bear right where your face is going to be, focus on that, press the shutter release button and then shove the object out of the picture as you take it's place.

melissa said...

Sweet! Thanks for the tip, Lindsay.

I really don't mind pictures of myself or getting my picture taken, but self-portraits make me feel so narcissistic.

wendy holt said...

I just learned from my 16 and 18 year old nieces how to "hold the camera and take your picture" they have 2759 of them on facebook. Also, I don't know how to use my self timer...but "art-form" okay, I'll take that. :)

wendy holt said...

p.s. I think you look great!!

Unknown said...

too bad it is also BEAUTIFUL!! Stunning and Natural.