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Not quite a self-portrait

September 4, 2020 Neil vN 6 Comments

Not quite a self-portrait

One of the few portraits of myself that I immediately liked — more than the background and the starkness of the B&W processing, what draws me to this image is the pose — it’s as if I am hovering in decision. There’s an implied narrative here, even if shrouded in mystery. Not quite a self-portrait but I was involved in the setting it up of this, and the other photos in the sequence.

Photo by my friend, Clayton. He used an 85mm lens.
Posing by me. I kept changing my pose up during the few minutes he photographed me.

As I mentioned in this article on improving your portrait photography, is that I have little time for photographers who say they are more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it. That may well be, but it isn’t endearing, and definitely doesn’t help your subject … or the person photographing you. It’s one of those “suck it up, buttercup” moments. Stop whining and help the person photographing you, by giving some of yourself and your personality. I feel that as a photographer, you have an obligation not to be self-indulgent with that nonsense. Participate, and you may well surprise yourself with good portraits of yourself.

 

Related articles

  • One thing you can do to improve your portrait photography
  • Photographers – inspiration, and overcoming fears

 


 

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Filed Under: essays & discussions Tagged With: 85mm portraits, available light portraits


 

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Neil vN

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6 Comments, Add Your Own

  1. 1Karel Donk says

    September 5, 2020 at 12:04 pm

    You should probably send this magnificent photo to an agent in Hollywood.

    Reply
  2. 2Marco says

    September 8, 2020 at 2:55 pm

    Hi Neil. There is a lot to like in this photo: it is not an easy task for a photographer to pose and you did very well!

    Putting aside that fact and looking at the photo as you were a professional model, I think that your hand in your very tight pocket produced too many folds on your skin and I don’t like it. At least I’d dim the light on your hand

    I also find that the object protruding from the wall in the upper left corner detract from the picture: maybe a cropped picture puts more emphasis on you and your pensive gaze.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • 2.1Neil vN says

      September 8, 2020 at 3:20 pm

      Good catch on the hand — you know, I never noticed it until now.

      Reply
  3. 3Roy Barnes says

    September 9, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    Pose is awesome but the expression – priceless! And the medium of black and white is just so suited to this shot. I never fail to add black and white images to what I provide to the client. Its timeless…

    Reply
  4. 4Roy Barnes says

    September 9, 2020 at 8:10 pm

    ps. You’re looking really healthy Neil!

    Reply
  5. 5Damian Brown says

    October 16, 2020 at 6:22 am

    I love that last paragraph!

    Reply

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