1st self portrait [Archive] - Talk Photography

photostar_1

19-06-2007, 21:53

Had a go at doing this tonight....felt a total prat and was terrified the family would come in and find me! I only had overhead lights in kitchen ceiling, so held a reflector to the shady side of my face.

Any good?

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/991/Self-portrait-2.jpg

19-06-2007, 21:59

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!! :gag:

LOL That's actually rather good. :)

Cobra

19-06-2007, 22:00

Excellent!
just a minor critique R/H/Side behind the glasses is slightly distorted a little PS would get rid Don't mind me I'm just being picky :D

ron boon

19-06-2007, 22:03

Really lovely - well done - not easy doing your own photo. Superbly focused and love the fact that you can see your eyes clearly. :clap: Thought it might help if lightened slightly with a tiny tiny extra punch on the white of the eyes - had a little play hope you dont mind :)

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t4/ronboon/Self-portrait-2.jpg

photostar_1

19-06-2007, 23:07

Thanks, that makes quite a (good) difference........now, how about getting rid of those wrinkles... or are miracles beyond you? ;)

dougdarter

20-06-2007, 00:35

Thanks, that makes quite a (good) difference........now, how about getting rid of those wrinkles... or are miracles beyond you? ;)

I think you look lovely just as you are, but here is a wrinkle free you - I hope you like it!

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k88/dougdarter/Self-portrait-2-1.jpg

Before:

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t4/ronboon/Self-portrait-2.jpg

Flunter

20-06-2007, 00:42

Now that is a superb edit (not that there is anything wrong with the original of course :nuts:) but what software have you used?

dougdarter

20-06-2007, 01:10

Now that is a superb edit (not that there is anything wrong with the original of course :nuts:) but what software have you used?

I used Photoshop CS3 clone brush, then used the blending tool in MS Digital image suite (anniversary edition). The blending brush is superb, and gives really fine control and transparency. It's quite labour intensive, took about an hour and a half to get it right.

photostar_1

20-06-2007, 11:29

OMG...........I love you Dougdarter!! :love:

I will print it and frame it!

Wish it was that simple in real life :lol:

moomike

20-06-2007, 15:18

Really nice edit Doug, can tell you took your time doing that :clap:

IMHO I prefer the original as I feel it shows a lot more personality - . I really like the feeling/atmosphere of the portrait (you looks fine as you are btw) :thumbs:
I am far from an expert at portraits but if I were to suggest anything I'd try twisting your body at slightly less of an angle to the camera & possibly also try a white background as the grey looks a bit sombre.
Very nicely done Carole, especially for a 1st go :clap:

photostar_1

20-06-2007, 16:57

dougdarter

20-06-2007, 17:10

Thanks everyone....first time at anything is always a bit nerve wracking. I used my pale blue kitchen wall as the backdrop, but it does look a bit grey in the images, I agree. It was very much a spur of the moment thing, so glad it turned out reasonably ok.

I really, really appreciate the hard work Dougdarter did, but looking sixteen again is a bit weird.......I'll stick with the 50+ me I think; I'm used to her now!!

I'm glad you liked it Carole:D

I had fun doing it, and apart from the time it took, it was surprisingly easy, except for around the eyes, under the glass.

I like the way you look now, honest lines, and caused by smiling and laughter - why would you want to change??

minimeeze

20-06-2007, 19:19

It's a lovely self portrait (something I keep telling myself I'll get around to one day!). I prefer the lightened one, but prefer to see the 'real' you, wrinkles and all :)

oldgit

20-06-2007, 19:38

:agree: although I think doug did a more than excellent job, I believe that age lines are part of a face, they dont, in general detract, but instead enhance and show the honesty of a shot.

namllihs

20-06-2007, 19:41

What he said

:thumbs: Nicely done.

RobertP

20-06-2007, 19:42

Very nice and very brave :)

I like Rons lightened version but something has been done to the skin as well. Prefer the original skin though the softening nearly works. Maybe a bit less would be best?

20-06-2007, 20:14

LOL. Good job Doug but you've removed all the laughter lines which everyone has regardless of age, so the poor girl looks a bit plastic. ;)

I do get requests for this sort of work on portraits, despite the fact that there's nothing at all wrong usually with the original as is the case here IMO.

This is really quick and cheerful but I'd go with something like this ...

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/500/Self-portrait-2-2.jpg

InaGlo

21-06-2007, 07:00

photostar_1

21-06-2007, 22:22

Congrats Carole, I think you should be very pleased with that ... especially for a 1st attempt.:thumbs:

Interesting edits there too!

Ok, so I want tips now ;)
How did you get your focus? how many attempts do you have?

Id love to do a self portrait but havent got a tripod sorted yet ... thats my excuse anyway!

Right, well I was against a blank wall so auto focus was useless. I have a very lightweiht tripod, but it's fine for indoors. There is a computer just out of shot, so I focused on that and then moved the camera just a bit further into the blank wall, hopeing that would be ok. I took about 8 shots to get my position right, adjusting the angle of the camera each time, knowing the focus was ok, just the framing needed tweaking.

I have to agree that "with" wrinkles is better than "without", and whilst I liked Doug's edit, I think CT's is more honest. I have to admit to having a problem over accepting my age............I'm still about 25 inside, but it's my mother who greets me each morning in the mirror. Who invited her? Those of you under 50 will have a problem understanding this, but I just have to accept I'm not the youngster I once was. :(

I currently have a house full of seriously lovely young men (son's band members) and I'm feeling old. They are all so full of life....and I'm so full of aches and pains!!!! Wish I could turn the clock back.....(sigh).

Anyone else have this problem?

21-06-2007, 22:26

Anyone else have this problem?
It's a lot worse for guys, We eventually actually become invisible! ;)

photostar_1

21-06-2007, 22:36

It's a lot worse for guys, We eventually actually become invisible! ;)

That is soooo not true, CT! Men get grey at the temples...and look good on it. They don't feel the need to rush to the hairdressers and get it coloured out. They get somewhat rounded tummies and no one complaines or calls them fat, or comments about letting themselves go,......infact men over 50 are in a great place, as far as I can tell.

InaGlo

21-06-2007, 22:37

Anyone else have this problem?

Alas! ... me! :shake:

Also, my son is off on his jollies tomorrow.
My little half-baked bean is only going to Cornwall but Im finding it difficult not to be the over-protective mother as Im having kittens about 2 cars full of 19yr olds setting off on the long journey down the motorway!

Tend to forget that at 19 I was swanning around Germany with my cousin, just two young girls with not a care in the world. :D

Thanks for the tips carole, think I may have to wait for the tripod but Ill definately have a go at self portrait.

dod

21-06-2007, 22:45

actually Carole, and this is a compliment, you haven't changed a bit, still the same eyes and lovely smile :)

photostar_1

21-06-2007, 22:51

actually Carole, and this is a compliment, you haven't changed a bit, still the same eyes and lovely smile :)

Mwaaah! (Blows big kiss at Dod)............thanks.

dod

21-06-2007, 22:56

yukk, wipes face :p

photostar_1

21-06-2007, 23:08

yukk, wipes face :p

:lol: :lol: Another Mwaaaah to you!

goatee

28-06-2007, 13:35

That's a superb shot. I've never done a self portrait, but if my first one is as good as yours, I'll be very satisfied! I'm especially impressed with how well the lighting came out, given that you couldn't see how it would turn out from behind the camera.

Janice

28-06-2007, 14:20

but I just have to accept I'm not the youngster I once was. :(

Don't worry Carole... I think us older women have a little something special that comes with age ;)
When I find what it is, I'll tell you!! :D

Lovely shot BTW. I too have no-one in the family that will take a photo of me, so self portraits are the only way.
Makes you feel a bit of a twit dashing back and forth to see the results....by which time you have a red and flustered complexion!!

No change there then!! :D :lol:

photostar_1

28-06-2007, 14:36

;)