The Stranger I-IV

In order to try and get more comfortable in front of a camera, I have decided to challenge myself to take at least 12 self portraits within the next year. This series was taken on a recent vacation to Ouray, Colorado. I was getting a little stir crazy one night so I decided to take my camera out on the town. I found this really awesome stairwell that had really creepy fluorescent overhead lighting right off of the main drag. I set up shop and started shooting (while getting some really interesting looks from people).

Settings:

• Aperture - f/7.1
• Shutter - 13 sec.
• ISO 200
• Camera - Canon 20d
  
• Lens - Canon 50mm f/1.8 II
  

Setup:
I originally set this shot up using a single flash to the lower left of the frame. After playing with this setup for quite a while, I was not satisfied with the output, so I switched to using only the available light. I manually focused to a spot on the stairs that would have the same focal plane as my head and then used a wireless trigger for the shutter. I was not concerned with movement as I felt that would only add character to the photo (see other shots from this session by clicking on the picture above or clicking here).

Processing:

• I used a high pass filter to bring out the texture of the stairs.
• Heavy Vignette
• 50% de-saturation
  

Who's that...

This weekend, I decided it was time for a self portrait. I hate being in front of the camera. I don't know what it is, but I don't feel comfortable. I always have that awkward look, smile, or whatever. Alone, at 1 in the morning, in the freezing cold, I decided it was the perfect time for a self portrait. It was difficult conditions: pitch black with no ambient light, 1 flash, 1 wired shutter release that didn't reach to where I needed it to, wireless flash trigger, 2 tripods (1 for the camera and 1 for the flash), and a flash light. Here is how I accomplished it:

1. Setup camera tripod
   
2. Setup flash tripod so that the head is right where your eyes will be.
3. Use the flash light to help focus the camera on the flash tripod head. After focus is achieved, set the camera to manual focus.
4. Do a dance
5. Move the flash to upper camera right
6. Set camera to timer
7. Press shutter and move to location
8. Look tough.. I mean real tough.. look at my mean mug
9. Try again and again until you get a desirable amount of sharpness (it is harder than it looks)

Things I would do to make the shot better:

1. Add a second flash to help fill the dark shadows on the side of my face (the equipment purchases never end!)
2. Get rid of the hot spot on my cheek
3. Look even tougher (impossible, I know)