Yesterday, as I mentioned, I got my hair cut. And because I was wise enough to realize that my hair would never look as good as it did when styled by a professional, I took advantage of the opportunity to have a portrait session with myself—something I have not done properly since last July.
There is nothing quite like trying to take a really good self portrait to make you appreciate being behind the camera. Framing and focus become dangerous games when you can’t look through the lens. And after spending a good chunk of time patiently trying and retrying to get the focus just so, taking my camera off of that tripod and taking pictures of other things was one of the most empowering feelings in the world.
It’s funny, though; I think that because of all the extra effort and concentration necessary to make a good self portrait, by the time I have gotten those few great shots, I have learned so much more than if I had taken a similarly good shot of another person. Kind of like how forcing yourself to translate English to Greek makes translating Greek to English a piece of cake.
Click on over to Flickr to see just a few of my favorite shots from yesterday’s session.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:10 am
the photos are lovely… but why aren’t you smileing?
scowly-mcscowlster!
March 29th, 2007 at 1:11 pm
I left a message on flickr, but wanted to state again: wonderful!
@teal, scowl? I’d call it pensive and confident.
March 29th, 2007 at 11:22 pm
I know it is always a bit sketchy to hear this from a 27 year old guy, but really, you are quite beautiful. Your portraits are always lovely.
I am glad that your first few terms of college are treating you well. It only gets better!
March 30th, 2007 at 12:42 am
wonderful self-portraits! now i want blue eyes and red hair…