OK, let’s face it. I’m a guy. I wanted to play with the flash this evening. I looked around my apartment for something interesting to photograph, but, as I’m a guy, there was nothing in this apartment that didn’t serve a purpose. There are no cool knick-knacks, like pewter teapots and stuff. The best that I could come up with was an onion, but I’m no Edward Weston! 
Also, the onion, I love them so, was on this evenings menu, so it is in, shall we say a very non photogenic state.
So, I looked around a bit, practiced my harmonica a bit, looked around a bit more. I thought of photographing the harmonica, but then thought better of it. Hmmm, what to do? Suddenly, it hit me. I know, I’ll photograph myself! I’d never really done it before and, generally, I don’t like to have my picture taken, but what the heck.
Working out the logistics was kind of tough. There is no one to focus for you and auto focus doesn’t work unless you press a button. So, it was a bit of trial and error to get the focus right and find a place to line up with each time so that I was in focus … for the most part.
Next, I had to try to get the lighting right. This is a small apartment and ALL of the walls are a nice, very reflective, white. Using an umbrella and shooting through it, light just loves these walls and bounces everywhere making it very difficult to get a black or dark gray background like I wanted. After much experimentation, I was able to pull it off. I had to stand in the narrow hallway, point the umbrella to the wall on the left, and sort of face the wall. That way I got diffuse light from the umbrella bounced off of the wall for that extra soft effect. Remember, I’m trying to use only one light, press the button, get in the right place, pose (or whatever), and get a decent looking picture. Also, I had the challenge of keeping glare off of the glasses! I should have done something about those pesky gray hairs! 
I could have ‘Photoshop-ed’ them out.
It was fun and I actually got one that I liked. With a little help from Lightroom, I was able to make the background completely black. This post was partially inspired by Earl, Laurie, and Gordon, all of whom have posted self-portraits. But it was also for me to get over my own camera shyness.
That’s me. Very much at home in a T-shirt, a harmonica, and a bit of beard growth.
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10 Responses to “Just me”
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Hey, I like this shot–it works! It’s got a serious but cool feel and the harmonica provides fuel for the viewers imagination.
Thanks for the mention.
Self portraits are a great creativity exercise – painful at first but it helps get you comfortable with yourself, too
I like this one – good lighting and the harmonica gives a bit of a clue about you. It is honest, you aren’t hiding, like many photographers do, behind shadows or reflections.
For focusing, there is an easy trick, if you are using a tripod. Stand, where you plan on standing, and use the camera to focus on the tripod head. Switch the camera to manual focus (so it won’t try to focus again) and then put the camera on the tripod. Then go back to where you planned on being and take the picture – or set the 10 second delay and hussle.)
If you get interested in doing this, an interval timer/ remote trigger can become very useful
@Gordon: What an excellent idea. I’ll have to give that a try! I just did the trial and error thing. Lots of error! I had to be very careful during my hustle back to the picture taking position, being careful not to knock over the camera/tripod or the light stand. Like I said, it was a very narrow hallway.
Cool – could be a pic for your blues album.
Very nice. I want to join the chorus of celebration. It’s the simplicity of this I especially like and the straightforward nature of it. As Gordon, said no hiding. (And, while I have no plans for a self-portrait, I appreciate Gordon’s tip for focusing.) But, I must say I especially like Mark’s idea for using this in on the blues album.
You did really well with this. You look cool and confident.
Self portraits are tough. I used a remote trigger and it focused ok for me. I had to change some settings because I don’t use my shutter to focus normally.
@Anita: I think that I’ll apply a bit of peer pressure. You “need” to do a self-portrait.
Everyone else is doing it! (Yeah, I know! If everyone else was jumping off of a bridge, would you do it?) I heard that enough as a kid!
@Laurie: I do have a remote, but it is too short. I’d need a wireless one to pull this off, so I just used the self-timer.
Paul, I like your new avatar. I don’t want to pry, but care to share the reason for not doing it before?
@Bob: No specific reason for not having it before, other than being a bit camera shy. I am always the guy behind the camera. I got in front of the camera to have a new experience. It first it was a little uncomfortable, but then I thought of it as being silly. After a number of exposures I finally got something that I liked. Then I thought why not change the avatar to match this photo.
That is a wonderful self-portrait!!
Good to know I have someone for lighting tips now.