Self portrait for advertising

[kb93]

Here is an image I took for my business i'm building


ISO 100
55mm
F 1.8
1/160 sec

[Bruce A]

Are you on the level?

Just a tongue in cheek comment because your camera isn't. Also, it doesn't look as if you shot this image of yourself with the camera in hand (I know you didn't), but it should look like you did - with your left eye closed and you finger on the shutter button. I like the DoF and colours, but you appear more like a tourist than a professional. Sorry, but that's how I see it as an amateur.

[Rentham]

Technically, this is a really nice image with beautiful tones. Conceptually, the idea of photographers holding cameras in their profile pics and promo pieces is so horribly played out.

[BigFuzzy]

Originally Posted by Rentham

Technically, this is a really nice image with beautiful tones. Conceptually, the idea of photographers holding cameras in their profile pics and promo pieces is so horribly played out.

Thanks for stealing the words out of my mouth Mike.
You're young, don't look like every old school shooter who thinks it's artsy and cool to have a selfie holding your camera. Sorry for those I offend, but as Rentham says, it's soooo played out.

Do something cool, hip young energetic. Show some of your personality. All this says about you is you can hold a camera.

For example (and mind you I'm a bit weird).. but I LOVE this guy's selfie and something like Rentham's works great.

[kb93]

If the worst thing i'm doing in this image is just holding a camera, i'll call this a successful shot.

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by kb93

If the worst thing i'm doing in this image is just holding a camera, i'll call this a successful shot.

Well, don't get too excited.

The exposure is fine good on the subject, though some might have an issue with the blown out white areas in the background. Yes, you're looking for the rim light from the sun, but that could have been achieved while finding a more even range of tones on the background. The green is pleasing, but only accounts for maybe a third of it.

Composition isn't great as far as I'm concerned. Your eye, the anchor in the shot is dead center, yet the main body of the object in focus is loaded to the left, though not so much that it qualifies as either a centered subject, or a RoT's style composition. dd into that the off-vertical tree trunk, and it leaves an uncomfortable, unplanned composition.

Turquoise may be vibrant, but it's over-powering and not a great marriage with the green of the foliage.

Focus appears soft on your eye and sharp on the camera. Ensuring your DoF accommodated both would have been a better choice, while maintaining the bokeh I imagine you were aspiring to. Check your distance to do this while maintaining the wider aperture.

Other issues already mentioned, your camera is wonky, and the strap is a distraction.

[kb93]

I admit the camera strap is wonky, but as for the white background, I like it. I've heard many people argue if having blownout highlights on certain types of photos, on this one It doesn't bother me. And the eye being dead center, that doesn't bother me either. I think as most of the "Rules of photography" are just suggestions. If I wanna put the center of the focus smack in the middle, gosh darn it- I will haha =)

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by kb93

I admit the camera strap is wonky, but as for the white background, I like it. I've heard many people argue if having blownout highlights on certain types of photos, on this one It doesn't bother me. And the eye being dead center, that doesn't bother me either. I think as most of the "Rules of photography" are just suggestions. If I wanna put the center of the focus smack in the middle, gosh darn it- I will haha =)

Cool, as long as you're happy.

[RLucas]

This has to be one of the best critique threads I have ever read! lol!
OP- "I took a picture".
Respondants-" Do this, or do that, and you might see different results"
OP-" I like it!- case closed!"

[Rentham]