Self Portrait

[Athas_orm]

Okay I don't think this is the best self portrait. Its hard to be objective when its yourself. Is the light terrible. I know theres a yellow cast to it.

I don't think I've got it right really but I don't know whats wrong exactly with the picture. Please don't say use a better model.

[KatherineNaomi]

Your focus looks great. It looks like you're getting the yellow cast becuase of other lighting in the room. I think next time I'd use window light. Angle yourself at 45 degrees to the window with your camera between you and the window. It will give you nice catch lights in your eyes and add good defining shadows to your face. You look a lot like my brother.

[Daytonj6]

Id say try to reduce the saturation of yellow light if you are able to however

more importantly, watch the harshness of the flash directly on ya.


Its creating a bit of a harsh situation, and can be softened up a bit by a tissue over the flash or even frosted plastic containers.

Get creative and add some coloured ones too if you want

I placed a blue one over a hot light once it was cool

[Athas_orm]

Okay thats great advise here. About the window thing do you mean when direct sunlight is comming through the window or not?

Also its difficult for me to shoot anything in the day cause of my toddler. Also how do you focus these things properly? I can see the viewfinder from in front of the camera.

[Raoul Isidro]

You could use color correction to attain the desired color in PP.
The B&W version for this is better. Increase contrast some more and sharpen and sharpen again and see how it turns out. It might resemble a 1940's photo effect which is way cool!
Cheers!

[ricklumpas]

Nice DOF to focus only on yourself as subject. I just wish you didnt cut the top and placed your eye on upper left/right intersection in rule of thirds.

[Athas_orm]

Originally Posted by Daytonj6

Id say try to reduce the saturation of yellow light if you are able to however

more importantly, watch the harshness of the flash directly on ya.


Its creating a bit of a harsh situation, and can be softened up a bit by a tissue over the flash or even frosted plastic containers.

Get creative and add some coloured ones too if you want

I placed a blue one over a hot light once it was cool

I'll certainly give this a try some time.

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

You could use color correction to attain the desired color in PP.
The B&W version for this is better. Increase contrast some more and sharpen and sharpen again and see how it turns out. It might resemble a 1940's photo effect which is way cool!
Cheers!

I couldn't get it right in white balance. I think B&W may be the way to go, hides the flaws. I don't know the type of shot that your hoping for me to achieve. Do you have an example anywhere?

Originally Posted by ricklumpas

Nice DOF to focus only on yourself as subject. I just wish you didnt cut the top and placed your eye on upper left/right intersection in rule of thirds.

I think the original was cut at the top. If I post it could you suggest if theres a crop that works better?

[Nicole]

A bit late to the party, but aside from what's been said about the yellow, there is a bit I would say about how you're posed. Obviously it's not a "get a different model" comment. It's just that something about the SP looks like you walked up to someone, tapped them on the shoulder, then shot when they turned around surprised. So I guess what I'd change most is actually the facial expression. And I say that from the PoV that I know how hard it is to get a good facial expression in SPs. My theory lately has been to put a mirror behind the camera so I can see what kind of expression I'm making before I press the remote. There are all sorts of things about how to get the right focus, right WB, all the technical aspects that make a good portrait. But part of it definitely depends on getting the "right look". Now, if you were going for the surprised look, then you got it . I'd just put something like that in a different context.

I guess the point of what I'm rambling about above is that I'm curious about what kind of feeling / emotion you were trying to convey in the SP.

Also on a technical note, I'm not sure what kind of lighting you're using (on camera flash, off camera flash, house lights, flashlights, headlights, natural light )... but there are some shadows going on around your chin / neck that are looking not quite right. The shadow below your chin is fine, it's just that the way it angles along your jawline makes the side of your neck look strange (for lack of a better description). Maybe work on getting the shadow to follow more of the line of your jaw if possible since that would help too.

Hope that helps.

[AmberTillman]

The neck shadow is a bit random. Where is that coming from? I would also change your expression. You do seem a little surprised... mouth slightly ajar, eyes wide open. Try smiling with your eyes and closing your mouth. great focus.

Thanks for sharing!

[Athas_orm]

Originally Posted by Nicole

A bit late to the party, but aside from what's been said about the yellow, there is a bit I would say about how you're posed. Obviously it's not a "get a different model" comment. It's just that something about the SP looks like you walked up to someone, tapped them on the shoulder, then shot when they turned around surprised. So I guess what I'd change most is actually the facial expression. And I say that from the PoV that I know how hard it is to get a good facial expression in SPs. My theory lately has been to put a mirror behind the camera so I can see what kind of expression I'm making before I press the remote. There are all sorts of things about how to get the right focus, right WB, all the technical aspects that make a good portrait. But part of it definitely depends on getting the "right look". Now, if you were going for the surprised look, then you got it . I'd just put something like that in a different context.

I guess the point of what I'm rambling about above is that I'm curious about what kind of feeling / emotion you were trying to convey in the SP.

Also on a technical note, I'm not sure what kind of lighting you're using (on camera flash, off camera flash, house lights, flashlights, headlights, natural light )... but there are some shadows going on around your chin / neck that are looking not quite right. The shadow below your chin is fine, it's just that the way it angles along your jawline makes the side of your neck look strange (for lack of a better description). Maybe work on getting the shadow to follow more of the line of your jaw if possible since that would help too.

Hope that helps.

Okay I should have listened to my wife she also said I looked surprised. I guess its difficut for me to judge myself. And I pretty much hate my teeth so the ones with the genuine smiles are out.

The lighting is just house lighting. A desk lamp to my right and em a spotlight to my left which I didn't know would look so yellow. Oh and theres a desk lamp behind me too. Finally In camera flash. (which I was hoping to avoid thus the spotlight) Thats why the shadow is so wierd. Also I have a tendency to look dozy or startled in photographs. I'm guessing I look startled a lot judging by snapshots taken of me.

Originally Posted by AmberTillman

The neck shadow is a bit random. Where is that coming from? I would also change your expression. You do seem a little surprised... mouth slightly ajar, eyes wide open. Try smiling with your eyes and closing your mouth. great focus.

Thanks for sharing!

Yeah your right about the shadow. I've looked through the others though and some are better in some way and some in other ways. Its a reshoot I'm afraid.