Self+Portrait

Taking a self-portrait is the perfect way to express yourself through photography. Also, looking at other artists self portraits may tell you a lot about them.  Shooting pictures of yourself can be a good way of experimenting with lighting, camera angles, and learning useful technical skills. Self-portraiture is perhaps the best form of self-expression there is. Artists have been doing it for centuries. As both the model and photographer, you control every aspect of the image.
 * == Assignment: SELF-PORTRAITS ==

Where to start – set up the scene using a stand-in – you can also get the meter reading this way. Most cameras have a self-timer and this is an effective way to fire the shutter. If you want more control over when the picture is taken, use a remote release.                Cindy Sherman, Film Still #21  **Please take at least 50 exposures using a self-timer and a tripod (if needed) keeping the following in mind: ** **_Effective lighting – remember what creates overall, even lighting versus hot lighting creating a silhouette. ** **_Composition – check your edges! Create interesting use of positive and negative space. ** **_Angle of view/perspective – work with some close-up shots as well as a shot with a purposeful environment (background, set-up or natural surroundings). ** **_What kind of emotion/meaning do you want to convey? ** **_Props – will this tell us more about you? Could it assist in composition? **  **Take risks! TAKE A LOT OF PHOTOS! ** <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"> **<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">ARTISTS TO LOOK AT: Cindy Sherman, Chuck Close, Lee Friedlander, David Hockney, Jonathan Coplans ** **<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">***spend some time looking at self-portraits on-line to gather some ideas and influences. Please make sure you look at master artists. ** ||