Self portrait

Sparkles33

Sparkles33

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Nattelie
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I want to do a self portrait but, if I'm completely honest, I haven't the foggiest how I could do it! :thinking:

Setting up a timer shutter release thing isn't going to work, cause I'm a wheelchair user and there's not a cat in hells chance that I'd be able to get where I'd want to be without disturbing things and without running out of time.

I only hae a cabled shutter release too, so putting it on autofocus and pressing that is a little out of the question too (cause it's pretty short)

So I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions that don't involve spending more dosh? :shrug:
 
Well if i was you i would think about using a mirror. having a play with different angles.

Then if you have a few mirror's around the place or could pick some up cheap . Get creative and have two or three mirrors angled at differnt parts of you . doing this you could hide the camera.

something to think about.....



md:shrug:
 
I think it depends on the type of shot you want too. Do you want a full body shot? A head shot? Portrait / profile perhaps?
 
MagicMynx said:
Can you get cheap but good wireless shutter releases?
Click to expand...

I believe that Mr. Pan sells precisely that in his strobist gear thread in classifieds (I'll be after commission at this rate graham :P ) :)

or, if you're handy with a soldering iron (or terminal blocks), you could cut and extend your remote shutter's cable :)
 
You can. I have the Phottix Cleon wireless remote, about £25 from ebay.

However, it doesn't need kit, just some lateral thinking.
I mainly used to use the timer when I did my year of self portraits.
It's quite easy. You can usually put something where you're going to be and prefocus on it, then turn the lens to manual focus.
You can also get infront of the camera after having prefocussed etc, then hit the shutter button / timer from the front giving you much more time and less distance to get into position.

Or you could use a mirror. Or any reflection really. A door knob, a spoon...anything shiny :)

I shan't take no for an answer Ms Mynx ..... I want to see some self portraits! :D
 
ahh you see Marcel, the timer thing would inevitably be an ideal solution, however, add a wheelchair to the mix in a tight area, and I haven't got a cat in hells chance.

See, I can't get from behind the camera to infront of the camera without disturbing it (knowing my luck wheeling straight into the tripod, knocking it flying and smashing my camera!) and I can't transfer within a short time, which is something I'd want to do for some shots. It's all a bit pants TBH, lol.

I shall go and have a wander down at the classifieds though ;)

What I was thinking of doing was setting it on auto and playing pot luck at first and going from there.
 
You have a cable release? Is it one where you can lock the button down? Set it to continuous shooting mode, pick your settings and then lock the button down to set it going and then you have til your memory card fills to go over and strike your pose. Then just delete the ones of you making your way over there & coming back. Or better, turn them in to an animated short and post them along with the pictures :D
 
I live in Newcastle and am more than willing to take a few shots of you, no problem, I love portrait work.
Unfortunately I'm off on holiday for the next week, starting this morning, if you havent got anything sorted out by next weekend drop me a PM.
this is my flickr stream http://www.flickr.com/photos/neil-farnworth/
 
Set your camera up on a tripod

Use your flash

Turn off the room lights so the room is pitch dark

Using a torch position your wheelchair so you are facing the camera

turn off the flash and then fire the shutter on bulb keeping the shutter open

Carefully wheel yourself back into position

The using a remote infa red flash trigger fire the flash

still in dark wheel forwards and close the shutter




or just get a long cable release :):):)

stew
 
Unfortunately I do not know your camera, however if one of the features of the canon's are available to you, that might be a good compromise.
On the XXXd series, it is possible to trigger the camera with an infra-red remote, (mine was a couple of quid from ebay), and have the camera go onto self timer. This timer is only 2 seconds, but is intended to give you enough time to hide the remote and smile, as you would already be in position before pressing the button.
 
MagicMynx said:
ahh you see Marcel, the timer thing would inevitably be an ideal solution, however, add a wheelchair to the mix in a tight area, and I haven't got a cat in hells chance.

See, I can't get from behind the camera to infront of the camera without disturbing it
Click to expand...

Ahh, but I was suggesting setting it up from behind, then move yourself round to the front of thr tripod and press the shutter button from that side...That way you dont have to move around the tripod in the middle of the timer.

Fear not Ms Mynx, we will have you shooting selfies!

That's a nice offer by Neil too. If I was nearer I would offer myself too :)
 
aw thank you Farno, that's very sweet of you.

I know I've got GAS (gear aquisition syndrome) - I always have, LOL, but I am very much liking the remote releases and I am very tempted. Honestly, do you ever find yourself thinking "ooh...I want that...might not need it but I really do want it!" hehehe
 
you can take a portrait at arms length on wide angle setting...
the mirror trick sounds fab...you can then compose and pose
my boy racer doesnt have shutter release possibilities just the self timer...
i appreciate your situation...could you do a front to rear movement
set the cam on a tripod....set the controls and timer on self....and then roll the wheelchair back to the pose position

:)....
 
MagicMynx said:
aw thank you Farno, that's very sweet of you.

I know I've got GAS (gear aquisition syndrome) - I always have, LOL, but I am very much liking the remote releases and I am very tempted. Honestly, do you ever find yourself thinking "ooh...I want that...might not need it but I really do want it!" hehehe
Click to expand...

the ones i linked are £7 that's a packet of fags or a pint in London, so don't beat yourself up, go and acquire ;)
And they are useful, i got them originally because i was doing a complex self portrait that restricted my mobility and now I am waiting for winter so i can set up my camera 3ft from the bird feeder and get some close ups.

GAS needs KAR (kit acquisition rationalization):thumbs:
 
I'm more of a mirror kind of guy. Just remember to reverse the photo in PP

2781066125_169fb997b1.jpg
 
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