Self Portrait

[vweeks]

This is my first post ever on this forum/site and I just wanted you guys' opinion on this picture. It was taken with a pretty bad camera (Samsung Digimax s500) but after using the camera for many many months I've gotten used to it and could take spectacular pictures. Well recently it just died (probably from old age) and I am now cameraless. So I just wanted to show you guys my most prized picture. Thanks!

http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/...s/S5002247.jpg

[zona5101]

Hi and welcome.
Too bad about the camera Maybe Santa will bring one
Nice capture of you with the guitar
So the things to watch out for: focus, thins image isn't sharp.
Direct flash - not your friend, leaves harsh shadows flat lighting and specular reflections.
Background elements that detract from the image: bright window in the back calls attention away from the subject.
Centered composition: add more creativity and interest by not having your subject smack dead center.

[CarlyRocksPhotos]

It's nice! Great start.

One of the areas I've been most published in is self-portrait... there's a ton on my blog for reference...

My advice: have fun. Make mistakes. Ask questions of yourself like "what if I do this?". You are your own best guinea pig! I just shot some (the most recent on the blog) and it was complete accident. I had pneumonia and no shower! But who cares!? I used that to my advantage and did an editorial speaking to the bullying of the press (since I often fill that aspect of life also). You just never know!

Of course there's the standard academic issues here: your focus is a bit off- and whenever you shoot guitars with flash they become high-beams and total give-aways... but your framing and expression are lovely.

There's a lot of inspiration out there. Just soak it all in, and have fun!

[windrider86]

To get the most out of the critique section we ask that you include certain information (as well as your photo) in your posts. You can find all that and more here! Thanks!!!

[Wholigan1/20]

The only couple of things I saw about the photo immediately was kind of the fuzzy outline around your hand (and with a crummy camera that can be hard to work around, definitely. I feel your pain), and the really bright window to the right of the shot.

The fuzziness lends itself to a kind of old timey feel, and can help contribute to the mood of the shot. I would recommend pretending you meant for the photo to turn out that way.
The window is problematic because it is so bright, but I bet had you turned the camera so the window wasn't visible you would've had a cluttered background. So I would recommend next time using any natural light you have around you to be your light source instead of the flash. I've noticed that having natural light coming in from the front, or the side makes for a brighter photo, with less glare.

That being said this first shot is not bad at all. It really puts me in mind of one of those old 50's musician types, and part of that is attributed to the fuzziness. Keep it up, Play around with light. Take a ton of photos using lower exposures, higher exposures. Get goofy. Have fun.