Help with self-portrait

[sv_goon]

Hi folks,

I've not done portraits of anyone other than snapshots before, so a self-portrait is a little "out there" for me. It's also my first attempt at achieving a particular look, which I'm doing to push my skills forward.

The germ of the idea is that our experiences shape who we are and come along with us, sometimes physically. I want to capture that my scars and what they represent are a big part of me, in B&W to maximize the "grittiness".

Setup was a single flash through umbrella to my left (camera right) in an otherwise dark room. I held a piece of foam core in my right hand out of frame to reflect a little onto my right side, but not sure it did much. In PP I lowered the exposure and increased the contrast. Shallow DoF is purposeful, to emphasize my gnarly elbow rather than my lovely face.

My questions are fairly far-ranging: Does it work overall? Have I broken too many rules (Not focusing on eyes, crop too tight, arm & head floating in space, hand disappearing in darkness)?

I'm going to keep trying, playing with the pose, the lighting and the PP, but I would love some critique to push me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!



EXIF:
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV

[Eileen D]

I really like your idea and you're on the right track. However if you hadn't mentioned the scars in your lead-in comments, I'm not sure I would have picked up on them immediately as your focus. Try repositioning your arm so that the area of the scars is truly front and center in the image and work on your focus to make that section as clear as can be.

As for the other questions, I like the out-of-focus face (as well as they direct look on your face!) and the crop and the lighting. If you can make those scars a little more "in-your-face" in the foreground, I think you'll have a very effective image. I look forward to seeing more versions of this one!!

[sv_goon]

Thank you Eileen! I of course know what I'm trying to capture so my eye goes right there, but I see what you're saying about the scars not being "front and center" enough.

I took a couple quickies last night without the umbrella on the flash which seems to be the right direction - more stark shadows. I'm thinking about how to rig a more direct light right on my arm and not rely soley on the flash. I also moved closer to the camera, which hides more of my face, but still pretty effective.

The ones I took last night are not really in focus, because I didn't take a lot of time for setup. I'll keep working on it and post some updates later.

[bigfrank]

I like the shot. I picked up on the scar right away since it is the most in focus part of the shot. I also agree with Eileen about showing more of the scar and getting it tack sharp. For me, depth of field is just right and so is your expression. I am a fan of Rembrandt type lighting.

Keep on it, you almost there! Thanks for sharing..

[sv_goon]

OK, here's the next attempt. Moved the flash to below me rather than above. It highlights the big scar a little better, but maybe at the expense of the rest of the image. I need to keep working on the BW conversion to get it a little more contrasty. At this point I like the first one better.



EXIF:
Camera Canon EOS 5D
Exposure 0.008 sec (1/125)
Aperture f/1.4
Focal Length 50 mm
ISO Speed 100
Exposure Bias 0 EV

[bigfrank]

I like the first shot better also. Mostly because in the first shot, showing your scar was obvious, without being obvious. You second shot more looks like your shooting a photo for the doctor.

If you were to set up your first shot like you did before, and highlight your arm a bit better with light (maybe just a bit more light on your arm using a small flashlight or bulb) I think you would have it. I really liked the lighting you had in the first shot. Don't loose it.

[Eileen D]

I agree. The face is a key element in the image and it gets lost in the second one. I look forward to seeing more variations with the change in lighting as Frank suggested so that the scars are more visible but the face remains a part of the impact. TFS!

[Murtasma]

Love the idea

You didn't mention how you received the scar (if you wish not to share that's fine) but if you could tie the scar with another object that contributed to you getting the scar that could help create more of a story in your image.

Pose - I'm not sure the pose is really working. The lighting change helps but my eye is still drawn to your face for some reason. The arm out like this also doesn't look like a very natural pose. Try sitting at a table with one of both if your hands holding your forehead so your scar runs vertically in the image up to your face. Side lighting will probably be most effective here. You may even have to block some of the light from reaching your face by using a gobo of sorts. You scar looks like it runs even further up your arm. Perhaps a composition with you laying on the floor with your face hidden behind scar or even turned away from the camera will draw the eye into the scar. The pose I think depends on how you received the scar.l I think theres are lost of possibilities with an image like this.

You may even want to take it a step further and isolate yourself from the image and just focus on lighting the arm only instead. Try using a black sheet to remove yourself from the image or use a composition where you want be shown.

Lighting - I think a snoot on your flash could really create an image that pops if the light is placed correctly. I think contrast is what will make the viewer attracted to the image. How many lights do you have to work with? If you only have one you will probably need a reflector to bring some shadow details back into the scene.

What are you trying to convey to the viewer?

[sv_goon]

Originally Posted by Murtasma

Love the idea

You didn't mention how you received the scar (if you wish not to share that's fine) but if you could tie the scar with another object that contributed to you getting the scar that could help create more of a story in your image.

Pose - I'm not sure the pose is really working. The lighting change helps but my eye is still drawn to your face for some reason. The arm out like this also doesn't look like a very natural pose. Try sitting at a table with one of both if your hands holding your forehead so your scar runs vertically in the image up to your face. Side lighting will probably be most effective here. You may even have to block some of the light from reaching your face by using a gobo of sorts. You scar looks like it runs even further up your arm. Perhaps a composition with you laying on the floor with your face hidden behind scar or even turned away from the camera will draw the eye into the scar. The pose I think depends on how you received the scar.l I think theres are lost of possibilities with an image like this.

You may even want to take it a step further and isolate yourself from the image and just focus on lighting the arm only instead. Try using a black sheet to remove yourself from the image or use a composition where you want be shown.

Lighting - I think a snoot on your flash could really create an image that pops if the light is placed correctly. I think contrast is what will make the viewer attracted to the image. How many lights do you have to work with? If you only have one you will probably need a reflector to bring some shadow details back into the scene.

What are you trying to convey to the viewer?

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful feedback. Eileen and BigFrank, I think we're all thinking the same thing, which is reassuring.

Murtasma, these are some great suggestions as well. The second one really doesn't look much like me, just a guy with an arm. I was looking at the flash last night and thinking "what do they call those things they put on the flash to control the light?" The word "Snoot" never occurred to me, but of course!

How'd I get it? Thought you'd never ask! It marks the end of my career racing motorcycles. I got spit off my bike (on the racetrack) at about 100mph and landed right on my elbow. The little indentation above the elbow is where bits of my funny bone came flying out, and the big long one, as well as one on the inside part of the arm you can't see, are from 3 different surgeries to screw it back together and get it working again.

I had considered posing with my leathers hanging behind me or somehow in the shot. They show definite signs of "wear". Now that you have said that, I think I will have to try it. And some of the other poses you're coming up with sound like they could work pretty well.

My attitude about the whole thing is that I had a blast racing, got a little hurt and came through it. I'm happy to be a retired racer, and while "glad" isn't really the word, I feel I'm richer for having had the experience, both good and bad. So I'm trying to convey that in the photo. I am the sum of my experiences. With the context of the bike gear, it might become a little too literal, because others got their scars different ways, but that's the general message.

I'm going to be out of town for a few days so I won't be able to try anything, but maybe some distance from it will enable the "right" answer to become clear.

Thanks for your help. This is turning into much more of a learning experience than I had counted on.

Cheers...

[bigfrank]

Wow, now we know. Racing will do that to you eventually!

I have brother in laws that race, mostly motocross and trials, but have met some of their friends that race on pavement. Jake Zemke is one of them. Cool guy.

You are almost there. I think you are in the right direction and will have the shot you want soon. Good luck!