Manual focus self portrait

[jhermes]

This is my first attempt doing a self portrait, and I had to make do without a remote to trigger the shutter. I'm open to all criticism in order to improve for next time!

Shot with Nikon d70, 50mm 1.8


self by John Hermesmann, on Flickr

 

[jay125]

Nice shot. I'm a huge fan of B&W. Did you use any fill-flash?

 

[EckoZero]

I like the B+W effect on this one.
My only criticism of this one is that you cut off the top of your head.

 

[o hey tyler]

I'm glad you didn't make the novice mistake of shooting wide open. Much harder to get a MF self portrait at f/1.8. :thumbup:

 

[rateeg]

I'm glad you didn't make the novice mistake of shooting wide open. Much harder to get a MF self portrait at f/1.8. :thumbup:

what do u mean wide open?

 

[o hey tyler]

I'm glad you didn't make the novice mistake of shooting wide open. Much harder to get a MF self portrait at f/1.8. :thumbup:

what do u mean wide open?

For example, the maximum aperture of his 50mm is f/1.8. He shot @ f/3.2. If he had been shooting at f/1.8 that would be considered shooting "wide open" because the aperture diaphragm is at its widest.

 

[jritz]

I'm glad you didn't make the novice mistake of shooting wide open. Much harder to get a MF self portrait at f/1.8. :thumbup:

what do u mean wide open?

At your largest aperture, meaning f/1.8. For portraits it is very hard to nail the focus at such a large aperture as the focus plane is severely minimized.

 

[RedWylder]

I'm glad you didn't make the novice mistake of shooting wide open. Much harder to get a MF self portrait at f/1.8. :thumbup:

-guilty- It's soooo tempting, when you get your first lens capable of such apertures, to shoot wide open. LOOK AT ALL THAT BOKEEEH!!!! WOOOOHOOOOO!

 

[rateeg]

Oh ok.
thanks for that advice

 

[DerekSalem]

Obviously you cut off the top of your head, but truthfully in this case I like it. The focus is spot-on...an amazing feat for manual focus and no remote trigger. Looks great!

 

[jhermes]

Nice shot. I'm a huge fan of B&W. Did you use any fill-flash?

Nope, no fill flash. Do you think I needed it?

I like the B+W effect on this one.
My only criticism of this one is that you cut off the top of your head.

This was the original without the crop. I already had a small bit cut off, and I liked the composition better with the crop. There's a color version also, just for fun.



(click thumbnails)

I'm glad you didn't make the novice mistake of shooting wide open. Much harder to get a MF self portrait at f/1.8. :thumbup:

Thank you! I chose the smaller aperture for more sharpness, and because the focus was easier.

Obviously you cut off the top of your head, but truthfully in this case I like it. The focus is spot-on...an amazing feat for manual focus and no remote trigger. Looks great!

I really appreciate it!