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Photo
Ideas - Photographing the Familiar
Author:
Jennifer Newton
Doing
a Self Portrait Session
We
all love to stand behind the lens and capture the
essence of the children and other loved ones in our
lives. This in itself is the passion that continues
to drive our desire to take photographs. Well the
photographer has memories and moments that should
be captured as well. Sure, your perspective is seen
throughout every photograph that you take. That is
a part of you. When you snap a photo you are displaying
what YOU saw in your child as they were playing on
the swing. When you reached for your camera to photograph
the beautiful landscape you are capturing the beauty
that YOU see for others to enjoy as well. But what
about you actually being in the photograph? I personally
understand the challenge this may bring to you. Even
pure panic..."You want ME to take a picture of ME???"
If
you take a deeper look at the concept of a self portrait,
you will find that it will help you capture, learn
and share more about you the individual. A self portrait
series can be something for you, about you as well
as something to help you learn more about who you
are, what you like and how you feel. A self portrait
session will also help you bond even further with
your beloved camera! If your camera has the capability
of using a remote or self timer, all you need is a
tripod and a little imagination.
Ideas
And Inspiration For Your Session
Who are you? What do you like to do? What drives you?
Where do you unwind after a hectic day? These are
just some of the questions you can ask yourself to
start your self portrait session. But the ultimate
question is, "How do I capture all of this?" Start
with answering this….
"How
Do I Capture These Elements In Other Subjects I Photograph?"
You
capture it through YOUR perspective. From YOUR level,
Your vantage point. Capture YOUR world through YOUR
eyes, using your camera!
Capturing
Your World
Here are a few ideas to help you capture the world
around you:
- Do
you drink cans and cans of soda or cups of coffee
throughout the day? Take a photo of your hand around
that can of soda or cup of coffee.
- When
you are sitting at your desk at work, what is your
view all day? Snap a photo!
- We
spend so much time in our vehicles. What do you
see from the drivers seat? Do you have a tradition
while driving in your car? Is the music on or off?
Do you have the seat moved close up the console
or as far back as it will go? Take a photo of your
hand reaching to turn on the radio. Snap a shot
from your vantage point looking down at one hand
on the steering wheel.
- You
have YOUR spot in the house. It could be a comfy
chair or a corner on the couch. What is your view
from your spot? Do you sit on your feet or do your
feet touch the ground? Take a photograph looking
down at your lap while sitting in your spot.
- Do
you love music? Wondering how to capture your love
of music? What is your view as you look upon your
music collection? Are the CDs neatly organized in
a specific order or randomly placed in their piles?
Take a photo of your collection as it sits. Even
it's arrangement says a lot about you.
- You
spend hours thinking of, sketching out and creating
layouts. How about taking a photo of your hands
amidst the items you use to create a layout? Scrapbooking
is your passion, capture a photo from your perspective
creating one of your pieces of art!
Bonding
With You And Your Camera
We have all tried the traditional
"hold the camera out in front of you" self portrait.
Many have already taken their photo looking into a
mirror. How about bonding with your camera and have
a little alone time together? If your camera has a
self timer or a remote, place it on a tripod and have
some fun!
- Are
you short in stature? Or are you tall? Have some
fun and position your camera and tripod either looking
down at you or looking up at you.
- Who
says your face NEEDS to be in the center of your
image? Position your camera on the tripod and then
have your face off centered from the lens and shoot.
Even try to zoom in and capture photos of your face
in quadrants. Your face makes you an individual
but your left and right sides are very different
from each other as well.
- Sit
on the floor and have the camera positioned on the
tripod looking down at you. You can get some amazing
shots this way. Be sure to look directly into the
camera. As they say, it's all in the eyes.
- Everyone's
hands tell a story. What do yours say? Take a picture!
- Now
what about your feet? Where have they carried you
in your life? They too have a story. Snap a shot
of them.
- When
doing a portrait shot, lay your chin onto your crossed
arms, into your open palm of simply run your fingers
through your hair. Your photos will have a more
casual feel to them.
- Try
putting your back to the camera and turn your face
back towards the lens. This makes for an interesting
shot and is more dimensional than a straight silhouette
shot.
- What
kind of personality do you have? Are you quiet and
reserved. Take a side photo of yourself , possible
looking out a window. Are a big talker? Snap a shot
of you wild mouthed, the more exaggerated the better.
Are you shy? Take a picture of yourself looking
away from the camera.
The
Second Best Knower's Of You
You knows you as much as you do (and often times more
than you do actually know yourself)? Your family and
friends! Ask them to help you with this project by
capturing the side of you they get to see. To make
it even better, have them write down their thoughts
and comments on that parts they see and add it to
the journaling for a layout.
- Do
you have any of those unconscious habits that you
didn't' even know that you are doing? See if they
can get a photo of you doing it. Sneaking up on
you will probably be required!
- What
about that special smile or that certain look they
keep saying you have but you have never seen? Have
them take a photo of it.
- When
you stop and think about it, your children have
a completely different view of you, especially from
their perspective. Give them a disposable camera
and have them capture you thorough their eyes.
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