365 | twelve

{starts with j}

Well, this was somewhat uncomfortable.

I wanted to get a shot of myself, because that rarely happens.

Being the only one here, though, I had to set up the tripod and use the remote, which was actually much easier than I thought it might be.

The most difficult part was setting the focus.

Since I wasn't sitting in the place that I wanted to focus on when setting everything up, I had to find something that would work in place of me.

I came up with this setup

It looks like me right?

That worked for a while, and I was able to get these images.

They're not spectacular, but I can say I don't have any like them!

But then I moved a bit and this happened

Some out of focus cheesiness.

So I went in search of some other home decor to be a stand-in

The chair worked better, because I kept leaning forward when I would take the picture, but the camera was still focused on where the frame was (behind me).

Because focus falls back, I needed to have something closer to focus on.

I couldn't move the frame closer, because it didn't have anything to hold it up and kept falling over.

The chair worked perfectly.

 These are the end results

 A pretty genuine, typical smile I think.

 Not my favorite pose.

I think I look like I'm up to no good, but I love the light.

It had been a very overcast morning, so there was very soft diffused light coming from the window, and then all of a sudden the sun broke through for a few minutes and cast this light pattern through the blinds.

And I just wanted you to be able to laugh with me over the fluffy hair in this one.

I promise it was not windy in my living room.

Not sure what happened there!

Setting up this shoot was a great learning experience.

I don't know that it's ever comfortable to have your picture taken.

I don't mind if someone else is in the shot with me, but there's just something uncomfortable about having one taken by yourself.  It's definitely been good for me to get in front of the camera and remember what it's like not to always be behind the camera.

And as strange as it seemed to be sitting in my living room taking pictures of myself, it's way more unsettling to actually share them here.  Definitely stretching myself here!

This process was also a great refresher in using the wireless remote, and a great reminder to use it more often.  It had been a long time since I had used it, so I had to kind of relearn, but that thing is awesome!

The shot I actually chose for the 365 project

{technicalities}

Specifically to this shot, I like the shadows and depth created by the side light from the window.  It's much more interesting to me than flat light - although I do love that also.  However, I think I would have turned my head a little more toward the window so that the right side of my face had a little less shadows.  I also would have moved that piece of hair that is causing a shadow on my left eye.  The crazy hair on my right is bugging me too.  I like that I decided to lean in toward the camera.  It's almost as if I'm having a conversation with the viewer.  I'm not sure about the straight-on camera angle though. Next time I would turn my shoulders a bit to keep them from looking so broad.  Of course, this probably would not bother me if it were anyone else :)  

Overall, the images in this shoot have shown me that I still need to pay better attention to shadows and catchlights as well as practice getting the most flattering pose.  I do like the simplicity of the background and the single pop of color with the sweater.

f 2.0

1/125

ISO 320

50mm