First attempt at self-portrait...

[yerlem]

...and I cannot get the focus on my eyes from what I've read you are supposed to put something were your eyes are supposed to go and focus there...but the problem was I didn't know where exactly my eyes were goona be! Now that I'm writing this I'm realising maybe I should have changed the aperture and I would have had better luck with my focusing problem...C&C needed! DOn't mind my awkward face

Both shot 34mm, 1/125, f/5, with natural light and edited in Lightroom 3


DSC_0126 por yerlem, en Flickr


DSC_0122 por yerlem, en Flickr

 

[Heitz]

Your eyes look pretty sharp to me. And you have very nice eyes!

 

[yerlem]

Thank you, but when you zoom in they are really are not as sharp as they should be...I'm just asking for technicalities here, since it is my first time shotting a self-portrait

 

[jake337]

Do you have a remote shutter release? Try that with autofocus on. Put the camera in portrait position and use one of the higher focus point where your eyes will be. Stopping down to F8 and pulling your background further back would help too.

 

[JAC526]

I think you should try one with a smile.

 

[yerlem]

Haha, thanks JAC526 for the comment, these were for my cv, so I could really smile a lot...I'll try a few more informal ones for practice, but I really need help with the settings before I can do something about my face.

Jake337, I do not have a remote shutter release, unfortunately Everything photography related is really expensive down here, but I'll definitely try to buy one next time I'm in the states, I think it would be really useful. Thank you for your answer, I didn't realize until after that I should have tried a higher f-number, but I will definitely try your suggesions!

 

[JAC526]

What is a cv?

And can you order online and have things shipped to you for a lower price?

 

[Designer]

I can certainly see why you want your eyes in focus!

An (off brand) cable remote cost me $3.75 plus shipping, the Nikon cable release was about $15 as I recall. The Nikon infrared remote is about $15 as well.

 

[yerlem]

cv is curriculum vitae

My country taxes imported products big time, you can't just order things from other countries and not pay the taxes. I'll go check the local shop, maybe it is not as expensive as I thought! you can't use a wireless for nikon d3100 though, I need one with a cable (as far as I know)

 

[JAC526]

Ahh gotcha.

Taxes suck. A lot.

 

[Jaemie]

¡Que linda! How pretty! omg.. You are beautiful. :blushing:

erm... C&C. I definitely prefer #1 for the expression and pose. The focus was missed, as others have mentioned. Jake's suggestion of increasing DOF is a good start, and so is a remote shutter release, though I know how ridiculously expensive prices in Latin America can be for electronics and specialty items. Even at Costco / Price Smart. I'd also consider lowering the exposure just a little bit on your face, perhaps to bring out deeper tone. Keep shooting these. I would love to see more.

*more blushing ensues..*

 

[yerlem]

Haha, Thanks Jaemie! That's really nice of you I'll definitely keep shooting now that I have more pointers. Today is the perfect cludy day for these, but I don't have the time...hopefully the bad weather will continue for a couple more days.
I overexposed on purpose, I liked the way it looked, but I will play around a bit more next time.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to help me out

 

[PastorJ86]

I think this self portrait looks great! If only I had the lighting to do that....

 

[yerlem]

I think this self portrait looks great! If only I had the lighting to do that....

Thanks! And, unless you live in a cave, you do have the lighting to do that! It's natural light on an overcast day, throough the window. And my ghetto setup included a bench with a bunch of books as a tripod and a white sheet I ironed and threw over the TV!

 

[Stradawhovious]

Try and get a stand in. Get someone to sit where you will be sitting, and focus on their eyes, then trade paces and take the shot.. Increase the DOF a bit to give yourself some leeway of a few inches and go to town.

Also, you might want to try to get some space between yourself and your background.

A note.... your second pic the focus looks fine.