Self-Portrait

[Digidave]

You did an absolutely great job editing & cropping. Look at those eyes!!!

[wulf]

Originally Posted by KagoGrl

... I can't set the timer and get sharp focus in the shot. So I have to stay within arms reach of my cable while taking the shot.

There is a way to get round that. Set your focus manually on something that is the same distance away that you will be from the camera (or use autofocus and then switch to manual focus mode on the lens). Now, as long as you set the timer for a long enough pause to get to the right place, you should be able to take sharp self portraits from further than arms length.

Wulf

[KagoGrl]

Originally Posted by wulf

There is a way to get round that. Set your focus manually on something that is the same distance away that you will be from the camera (or use autofocus and then switch to manual focus mode on the lens). Now, as long as you set the timer for a long enough pause to get to the right place, you should be able to take sharp self portraits from further than arms length.

Wulf

Yea, I knew that, and I've tried it but I can never seem to get it to work. Sure I get a nice portrait with a lovely pose, but it's never sharp. Drives me nuts! Guess it just takes more and more practice. I'll make it someday!

[wulf]

It can be a bit hit and miss. One of the things that can increase the hit rate is to find some "location cues" so that, as near as possible, you get back in exactly the right position. Often those can be out of site in the shot itself, like a cushion on the floor to show where to put your feet, one behind to show where to sit and perhaps something to fix your face (eg. "if I look left, I'm gazing at the edge of the bookshelf, and then I turn my head right and look at the picture on the far wall").

To give more chance of a good result, try to set up the shot for a reasonably deep Depth of Field. Get further away from the camera (you can crop down later to frame the picture); if you want a blurred backdrop, make sure that is further away still.

Most importantly, don't give up too soon. Before you move everything, try several takes - one might have the magic. For example, this is my most recent addition to the fiftytwo project:



I am pleased with this one but there were about 20-30 further attempts that got deleted once I got back to the computer.

Wulf

[KagoGrl]

Cool shot. I haven't quite given up yet. We've got nothing but rain here today so I won't be able to try much (very limited light options without sun through the window). Perhaps next week I'll give it another go.

Cheers!!

[velvet4269]

Originally Posted by KagoGrl

Cool shot. I haven't quite given up yet. We've got nothing but rain here today so I won't be able to try much (very limited light options without sun through the window). Perhaps next week I'll give it another go.

Cheers!!

That's one of the issues I'm having with my photos for threesixtyfive - low light means longer shutter speed means not only getting in the right spot at the right time, but also holding that position for longer than you normally would.

I think I ended up tossing about 15 "day 11" portraits, because the blur from even the slightest movement made the b&w portrait blow out in spots.

[clockdoc]

Don't dispair over low light levels, Velvet and KagoGrl! Try a higher ISO and/or slower shutter speeds. Recall that the early (1800's) portrait sitting were measured in 'loooong' exposures of many seconds if not minutes. 8-) Velvet, if you are lacking a corded remote like the one KagoGrl uses and have to rely on the self-timer, most digital cameras focus when you depress the shutter button. Knowing that, have someone sit in your place or use an object that can be easily moved but can be used for auto focus. You could also try manual focus.

[oldgeezer70]

Hi,
I have had good luck by setting away from the window but directly facing it and placing the camera right by the window for a self portrait. The last time I tried that I used overhead light and no flash with a morning sun just above directly shining in the window. So my thought for you would be to rotate more directly toward the window, although a little shadow on one side is helpful.

[KagoGrl]

Thanks! I'll give a shot again soon.