A Real Attempt at a Self Portrait--Comments Please!

[ghache]

You can even see more face on this photo

I LOLED

 

[jdjen]

Why? Because i love my photo gear and listening to music?

I'll clarify.


The reversing makes it look unprofessional, it's poorly lit, the wiring takes away from the composition, the camera makes you not the subject

It's very much like a 14-year-olds myspace photo from several years ago with a more expensive camera

I beg to differ that a 14 year old would be able to take this photo, then go and edit it in lr3. Maybe, but thats really beside the point. I feel like this is much better than a "poser" photo used as a myspace profile picture.

Thank you for your "critique"

Your responses are that of a 14 year old.
My suggestion to you... If you don't really want C&C then don't ask for it.
And by the way I just don't like the composition.

 

[shmne]

Interesting choice for a self portrait.

Generally when looking to create a self portrait it is important to capture your personality, not what you like doing. In this case trying to include so much ends up taking away from the message of the photo.

I'll list out why I would say both technically and artistically this photo doesn't really work for me. You may have a differing opinion, however this is the best critique I can give.

1. The wire leaving the frame is a tangent that leads the eye off the photo completely and negates and focus on the main subject.
2. The camera is not the subject, however being centered on the screen and the lightest object in view it becomes the subject.
3. The camera is a Nikon, this has no sense of style nor does it add to one's personal style because it is not anything unique. This is a commodity available to anyone with the budget. Basically, a Nikon camera is not worthy of a self portrait because it doesn't add to your personality that would differentiate you from any other photographer with a Nikon, or a camera for that matter.
4. Not only is the composition of the subject dead center, but even the weighting of the photo is centered. This leaves a lack of interest in the photo.
5. See #3, but concerning the headphones. If they had been an old retro style, or just really unique in some sort that when people see them they think of you that would be fine. However these are a common type of circumaural headset.
6. The lighting is nice and soft from overhead however because of your arm holding the camera there is a large shadow cast on your chest that is distracting (to me).
7. Last but not least (this was mentioned before) this is something seen many times. You probably weren't aware of that until now which is absolutely fine. Some of the previous posters may have been a bit more offensive then you were expecting so a defensive reply is generally the immediate one. Just realize that a shot with a camera in it, unless it truly defines who you are, is just not really worth it.

To revise this I would go back and rethink some concepts. You love photography and music, why not say that in another way? You can have a self portrait, and make it extremely creative while saying everything you want it to say. Just don't come out and slap us in the face with it! Haha. Maybe pick up some white card stock, and draw the frontal view of your camera with a real inky black pen. Do the same with your headset, then make a math equation out of it. Two more pieces of card stock, one with a + sign and another with an = sign. Have your head be the last part of the equation after the = sign.

Have another go at it and don't give up! Remember critiques, even if appearing to my hostile, are just attempts at trying to better your vision and refine it.

 

[D-B-J]

Interesting choice for a self portrait.

Generally when looking to create a self portrait it is important to capture your personality, not what you like doing. In this case trying to include so much ends up taking away from the message of the photo.

I'll list out why I would say both technically and artistically this photo doesn't really work for me. You may have a differing opinion, however this is the best critique I can give.

1. The wire leaving the frame is a tangent that leads the eye off the photo completely and negates and focus on the main subject.
2. The camera is not the subject, however being centered on the screen and the lightest object in view it becomes the subject.
3. The camera is a Nikon, this has no sense of style nor does it add to one's personal style because it is not anything unique. This is a commodity available to anyone with the budget. Basically, a Nikon camera is not worthy of a self portrait because it doesn't add to your personality that would differentiate you from any other photographer with a Nikon, or a camera for that matter.
4. Not only is the composition of the subject dead center, but even the weighting of the photo is centered. This leaves a lack of interest in the photo.
5. See #3, but concerning the headphones. If they had been an old retro style, or just really unique in some sort that when people see them they think of you that would be fine. However these are a common type of circumaural headset.
6. The lighting is nice and soft from overhead however because of your arm holding the camera there is a large shadow cast on your chest that is distracting (to me).
7. Last but not least (this was mentioned before) this is something seen many times. You probably weren't aware of that until now which is absolutely fine. Some of the previous posters may have been a bit more offensive then you were expecting so a defensive reply is generally the immediate one. Just realize that a shot with a camera in it, unless it truly defines who you are, is just not really worth it.

To revise this I would go back and rethink some concepts. You love photography and music, why not say that in another way? You can have a self portrait, and make it extremely creative while saying everything you want it to say. Just don't come out and slap us in the face with it! Haha. Maybe pick up some white card stock, and draw the frontal view of your camera with a real inky black pen. Do the same with your headset, then make a math equation out of it. Two more pieces of card stock, one with a + sign and another with an = sign. Have your head be the last part of the equation after the = sign.

Have another go at it and don't give up! Remember critiques, even if appearing to my hostile, are just attempts at trying to better your vision and refine it.

Thank you. Honestly, this is much more helpful than some previous ones. I'm waiting to take a photo of me drumming or playing the piano as i do not have my flash setup yet. This is a shot making the best of what i have.

Thanks for taking the time to honestly respond and critique.