Category:

Special Project
Subject:

"Direct" Self-Portrait
Month/Year:

February, 2007
Requirements:
Definition:

The image shoudl be a literal, but amazing, self-portrait...essentially the upper half or less of you. Your portrait should predominate and occupy most of the image. See background below for suggestions.
Manipulation:

Manipulation is not allowed.
Mounting and
Image Size:

Standard Print and Standard Digital
Division(s)?

Print and Digital
No. of Images

2 in each Division
Age

Image must have been taken within 18 months prior to date of competition.
Other Click here.
Note: Images not meeting any of the above requirements will be disqualified (DQed)
Background:

Remember to pay attention to lighting. If you do not have studio lighting available, window light provides wonderful natural sidelighting, but think about filling in the shadows with a reflector (you may need an assistant!). Overcast shade can provide good outdoor flat lighting, but use your flash (low power if possible) to add a single catchlight in the eyes. At night, bounce flash (off the ceiling or a reflector) can work well in a pinch. If you use straight-on flash, make sure the wall or whatever is far behind you so it will appear dark in your image....that way, you avoid telltale harsh flash shadows.

Detail and razor sharpness are critical to accentuate character. You want an f-stop that ensures adequate depth of field for the self-portrait but leaves any distracting background blurred. Telephoto lenses help achieve the desired affect.

Interesting clothing helps to make the image even more amazing and bring out the character of the self-portrait.

And don't forget that humor is a wonderful tool to grab the viewer's attention! A self-portrait does not necessarily mean a static image: you can be caught in the act of doing something....washing dishes, smelling a rose, whatever! The self-portrait taken in the mirror is shopworn and usually not very exciting unless you find a new twist!

click anywhere in this line to close window