Self Portrait

[skiboarder72]

Trying to take a decent picture of yourself is hard!! I would love some feedback on this attempt at a head shot. Shot with my D300, cable release, 50mm f1.8 @ 1.8, sb-600 bounced off a wall near me

 

[SrBiscuit]

was the background removed?...looks a bit blurry around the edges.
also the flash seems to still be a bit hot IMO...can you further diffuse it?

great sharpness though.

post your progress

 

[kundalini]

was the background removed?...looks a bit blurry around the edges.

I'm guessing it's shallow depth of field since he shot at f/1.8. Try stopping down, maybe even to f/4.

also the flash seems to still be a bit hot IMO...can you further diffuse it?

Agree. Are you using TTL or shooting flash manually? On or Off camera?

Nice go at it. Your eyes look a little sleepy though.

 

[skiboarder72]

thanks, yea the background was removed as well, it was shot at f1.8 so thats why its blurry toward the back of my head, on camera mounted sb-600 pointed at a wall nearby, thanks for the feedback

 

[Do'Urden's Eyes]

i dont think the blur is from the shallow DOF choice though... it just looks like it was softened around the sharp edges from when you trimmed the background.

 

[Photonic Harmony]

I know what you mean about "self portraits", I think yours turned out quite well. I'd probably step down the aperture though to kill the blur. I might have a go at a self portrait myself this weekend.

I love 50mm lenses, fantastic for portrait work!

 

[ChrisOquist]

I think one thing that would be helpful to determine is what the point of this self-portrait is. Is it for a clear, well-lit standard headshot (actually what it sounds like you're going for?) If that's the case I would definitely stop down the aperture - as has been said already - because the shallow depth of field lends the whole thing a dreamy look that doesn't mesh well with that goal, or with the standard, "straight-ahead" pose and smile. I would also stand a bit farther away from the bounced light source, or try to soften it a bit - it's really intense.

If you're looking for something a little more dramatic, try turning so that the light is coming at an angle or from one side - the shadows will completely change the feel of the portrait, and the depth of field might be a bit more appropriate.

 

[skiboarder72]

Thanks a ton for your feedback guys!