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1. Spend the time figuring out how to take a good photo of yourself...
Figure out that go-to smile, angle, pose, etc. that will result in a flattering photo of you pretty much every time. This is the pose that you use for photos your friends take of you while you're out and about, or the ones that you post on Facebook where people will say "Oh you're so pretty!" If you are shooting digitally, you can easily take hundreds of photos to learn what this look is... and you should take that many, without remorse! Everyone has one... but do not think that those awkward 499 photos out of 500 where you look totally weird make you weird-looking or ugly! (More on that later.) Get that part out of the way...
2. ... and then get bored with it.
Once you've got that forced, unnatural, robotically-practiced pose down, get bored of it. Yes, you'll receive the same compliments if you keep posting that variation on the same photo... but you are way more than just that one angle, that one expression. Get to the point where the compliments and the ego boost aren't a priority anymore. Get to the point where you're comfortable behind the camera, and you want to explore what else you can do aside from look pretty. Shoot for honesty, shoot to come up with something different. Take "pretty," "sexy," "photogenic," "flattering" off the priority list. Which leads me to the next lesson...
3. By readjusting those priorities, you're not admitting you're unattractive (PS you aren't).
Just because we may have an asymmetrical face, or maybe some crooked teeth or less-than-perfect skin, or any other slew of self-beat-downs we can come up with, it doesn't make us ugly. It doesn't make us "unphotogenic." It makes us human, unique, and honest. We all know someone who seems to never take a bad photo, and if they are going through something traumatic (like we all do at one point or another), they couldn't fathom taking a picture of themselves under those unflattering conditions. Capture all facets of your humanity and existence. Photography is about freezing an instant. Saving an absolute irreplaceable moment in time, no matter what the conditions, locations, emotions. We take pictures to remember these moments. It is beneficial to us as people to remember the bad along with the good. The latter is so easy. Challenge yourself, and you'll learn so much.
4. Get weird if you want to. Take risks. Shun embarrassment or criticism.
This is the hardest one, at least as far as I'm concerned. We ran outside, into a crowded alley and in busy crosswalks, and took photos of ourselves while people were obviously watching. We were all prepared to handle any "What are you doing?" questions with "Taking pictures of myself, what do you like to do?" It's not about or for anyone but us. "Why are you taking pictures of yourself?" "Why not?" It's not vanity that drives self-portraiture, it's honesty, and a desire to record. Do you keep a journal? Do you document your time on Earth in one way or another? Self-portraiture is no different. If you want to sprawl out on your kitchen floor and take a photo of yourself there while holding a slice of cheese, do it. It's not for anyone but you. No one has any right to tell you that you're doing something wrong, or you're weird, or self-obsessed. That being said:
5. You don't have to share your photos.
In the age of Facebook, Flickr, and Instagram, it's natural to instinctively want to take flawless photos and put them up on the internet. And it's okay to want people in your life (and/or strangers!) to comment on your photographic efforts. However, if you are looking through your photos and there's one that really stands out to you, that really elicits an emotional response, but you don't know if anyone else will appreciate it, if they'll think it's weird, awkward, whatever, don't share it... but absolutely keep it. Again, do you keep a diary? Do you post every one of your innermost thoughts to Facebook? Nah. So feel free to keep it to yourself, keep it for you.
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I am so excited to start my self-portraiture journey! I need to give that voice in my head that says "You look ridiculous" a swift kick to the butt and get to what really matters.
What are your thoughts on self-portraiture?
What, if anything, is holding you back?
I always feel awkward taking photos of myself! =\ Maybe I do need to get over it...
ReplyDeleteIt does feel awkward. It gets easier, though... with me, a certain level of defiance starts to build. I go from "This is weird and narcissistic" to "Why the hell SHOULDN'T I take pictures of myself if I want to?" It helps me to get me past that uncomfortable stage where I just feel silly and vain.
DeleteI always feel awkward too. I just think it'd be silly to post outfit photos. I look like I fell out of Big Bang Theory. Not sure if people really find that interesting or not. ^^;
ReplyDeleteIt *is* awkward! But like I told Erin up there, I go from feeling silly to defiant and determined pretty quick. I don't like feeling as though I can't do things in fear of being viewed as (or feeling!) vain, narcissistic, self-obsessed, "hipster-y," whatever. I offend myself when I start to tell myself that what I'm doing is dumb. It's not. If I want to save a moment in time through a self-portrait, why shouldn't I? May not work for everyone, but it's helped me get through that discomfort of feeling "silly."
DeleteAs far as outfit photos go, if you want to, go for it! Again, why not? My wardrobe is pretty boring and I'm not so much into fashion, so it's not really anything I'll venture too far into. But seriously, if you want to, do it. If you can get past your hesitations and that voice that says "Hey, you look like an idiot, cut it out," there's no reason not to take pictures of whatever you want... even if you don't think anyone else would find it interesting. :)
I don't take a lot of pictures of myself right now (I usually ask my boyfriend haha) but I have no problem with it. Also, I'm not ashamed of myself, which is why I don't edit my pictures. AND I'm a silly person that makes silly faces so I won't keep those out. In my last two outfit posts, I included a silly picture of myself just because that's me :)
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing wrong with being silly! I'm a total goofball too. Seems like I don't have to give you pointers on keeping it authentic! ;)
DeleteI read this entire post just waiting for you to spring one of your portraits on us!! (That's not the only reason I read it, of course. In fact, I found this post brilliant. But!! Dude, give us a taste of the photos you've taken, won't you?)
ReplyDeleteI'm generally not one to take my own photo. Like everyone else has said, it feels awkward. But when I'm in front of the camera and Ian is shooting, I generally take a couple of those perfectly posed shots and then just get silly. (Ian brings that out of me.) And, as you've seen, I haven't been shy to show off those silly bloopers. Like you said, that's just a part of who you are. You can't always be perfectly posed in the perfect angle and the perfect light. That's just plain old fake.
Haha, ouch, busted! So I haven't actually had a chance to sit down and walk the walk after all that talkin'-talk up there. I think I took one picture of myself since the class... with my phone... and posted it to Instagram. (sigh)
DeleteHOWEVER! If you can keep a secret (on this public forum of mine), there will be portrait sharing soon once this baby arrives. Maybe even sooner, since it's only a lack of time separating me and the DSLR, and I might just be able to set aside a chunk of that time-stuff this weekend.
I seriously loved that "blooper reel" blog post of yours! So many people would never let those see the light of day. Your authenticity is something to strive for, and I just think you're delightful. Internet high-five!
Yay! A new camera. I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty more photos once that arrives.
DeleteAs far as authenticity goes... I just can't handle seeing the same thing on blogs day in and day out. It gets so old. The same pose. The same background. The same lighting. The same feature on every blog (I'm talking about your Friday Finds!!). Boo! It's boring. Ian and I went out and took some photos for my Monday post today and I have a BRILLIANT blooper for the next go-round. I look like a true hot mess. Ha!
Seriously, dude, I'm excited to see what you make this blog into. Throw caution to the wind and be you... and stop looking at stats. I'm sick of looking at mine and stressing about mine. It's not worth it. My blog is for ME! Who cares if 100 or 5,000 people are reading it.
I am a new reader and so glad I found you when I did. I have a hard time taking self portraits because I feel so narcissitic when I do. I am glad that you have reminded me that it's not for others but for myself.
ReplyDeleteA good way to look back in 20 years and remember what I was like, what I dressed like, what I liked to do.
This post is good motivation.
Thank you!
- Amy
Hi Amy! I'm so glad you found your way here too! :] Trust me, you are not alone in feeling narcissistic when taking pictures of yourself. It's so easy to start with good intentions (the big one being memory-keeping!) and then quickly spiral into feeling silly and self-obsessed. It's not easy, but if you can hang onto those intentions you had going in, it'll be a lot easier -- and you'll have those pictures for 20 years down the line!
DeleteI don't have more than half a dozen photos from my childhood (a bit of a dysfunctional childhood, but c'est la vie) and now that I'm older, I want to make sure that when I have kids, they don't feel as lost as I do when I try and look back and remember my parents, my formative years, and so on... and as I age, I won't forget them either. :]
At any rate, I sincerely hope you start taking self-portraits... it's such a fun and fruitful journey once you get past the stigmas. I'm just starting out and I'm already learning things about myself I didn't know were there!
<3