Self-Portrait

Posted by Melissa W. (Warsaw, Indiana, United States) on 5 February 2009 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

Hi Everyone!

Sorry it's been so long. I've been in such a rut over the last several weeks. I've felt so uncreative, uninspired, and for the most part, just blah. Yesterday was the first day that I picked up my camera in 2 months! And then today, I decided to take some self-portraits (which is totally out of character for me). Anyway, I've missed all my dear friends on Am3, and hope everyone is doing well.

-Mel

Listed on Photoblogs.org

Comments (11)

Abraham Siloé from Puebla, Mexico

excellent portrait, really good, excellent job fellow

5 Feb 2009 10:24pm

@Abraham Siloé: Thank you!

Edward James from New Hampshire, United States

I've been in a very similar rut. I think it's the Winter weather. Snowbanks aren't exactly great subjects to photograph.
You came back with a great self portrait. Great detail in your eyes and hair. I hate saying this because it seems like the thing to say if you don't really know what else to say about someones work...but excellent compostion. This is professional work.

6 Feb 2009 3:30am

@Edward James: Thank you so much, Edward! I've really missed seeing your work. I think you're right about the Winter weather. I've been in such an awful funk lately. For the last three weeks, I've been back to exercising daily and eating healthier...in all honestly, I do feel better for it.

Anyway, thank you so much again for the lovely comment. I really appreciate it more than you know.

Rags from Plano, United States

welcome back! How did you light this image.

6 Feb 2009 8:11am

@Rags: Thanks! I wish I could give you some elaborate description about how I lit this, but honestly, this is just pure, natural, ambient light. This was shot in my bedroom in front of my north facing windows. I would love to duplicate this kind of light/look with strobes, but I just don't know where to begin. I've been reading the Strobist blog, but I've found the idea so intimidating.

Ron from Saint Louis, United States

The light is so beautiful and flattering, Melissa ... E.J. is right on target -- this is professional work! To back up the "professional work" statement I would suggest that the crop in this image is perfect and only a pro would be bold enough to come in so tight on top and to the right. I'm so, so reluctant to crop into the head but this shot is so appealing to the eye ... it's a good lesson for me to learn. I totally understand the funk ... it was just a year ago that I discovered photography to help me see beyond the difficult aspects of daily life and rediscover the beauty all around me. Thanks for your kind words about my portrait here ... this is my Mom and it was taken last March in the nursing home where she was living at the time (she has since moved to a lovely assisted living facility) ... I see sadness in her face and at the same time there's something tender and innocent ... it took me all this time to look at these images (of her) and begin working with them ... when we're ready to pick up the camera our hands know how to hold it ... ron

6 Feb 2009 3:57pm

chakrapani from Hyderabad, India

I say Again Mel, You are just very good at portraits . Your work over time , the portraits of ur family, and friends speak volumes of this specialty.
Your eyes just stand out here. Very pretty !

7 Feb 2009 2:08pm

danthro from Suburbia, United States

Hi Melissa! It's great to see you're back posting as well. Kind of funny that we both started posting again around the same time. Beautiful self-portrait. Love the light of course :) and the great detail, especially the texture in your sweater.

10 Feb 2009 12:59am

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

I know what that's like. Very professional image. What's your lighting setup?

19 Feb 2009 12:29am

@Twelvebit: Well, I wish I could say that I had quite the elaborate setup with soft boxes, a beauty dish, etc...but sadly, I cannot. This is just plain old window light. My bedroom has a patio door facing the north. And thankfully, I haven't painted my walls, so they're still white. So yeah, nothing fancy about this at all. lol

Coincidentally, though, I have made the leap to taking my flash off the camera (not that I ever used it much anyhow). Just this week, I purchased a light stand, an umbrella swivel w/ shoe mount, and a shoot through umbrella. I've been reading the Strobist blog for awhile now, but have been intimidated by the whole process (not sure why, probably because it's something completely new and out of my comfort zone). Anyway, I'm anxious to try it out. If anything, I'm sure I'll learn a lot.

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

Back in my film days I used to have some very nice pro studio flashes with expensive lighting stands, umbrellas --the whole works, even a flash meter. Did some limited personal stuff and portraits at a local junior high dance for a few years (like 15 years ago, taking in $800 for one evening). When I went from 35mm SLR to digital P&S I sold it all. Now that I've got DSLR's I wish I'd kept it.

19 Feb 2009 11:22pm

Twelvebit from Victoria, United States

I should have added --it just takes doing it and familiarity. You don't even need a flash meter these days with DSLRs and histogram displays. You can just position your lights until you get an image you like on your LCD.

19 Feb 2009 11:25pm