JPG: Stories: How To: Self portraits, revamped

How To

Self portraits, revamped

By molly .

8 Apr 2009

Let me start off by saying that I am certainly not a professional photographer. Most 14-year-olds are not professional photographers. However, I have had a lot of luck with self portraits, and I just wanted to put this out there and see what you think.

I believe that to take a truly interesting self-portrait, you have to be unafraid to look foolish in public. I have a number of SPs on JPG, but none of them show my full face or body. I try to take them from odd perspectives--and I find that with each good and unusual self portrait I take, I see myself differently. Yes, this sounds cheesy, and no, I am not just making it up. If you are having a bad hair day, or you feel like your outfit could use some work, don't stress--just photograph an element of yourself that you love. I shoot my shoes a lot. In fact, shoe shots are some of the most revealing photos I have ever seen--you can tell a lot about a person by her shoes.

Anyway, here are some of my suggestions for odd self-portraits:

1) Take photos of your shoes, obviously.

2) Put your camera on the ground with the lens up in the air. If it has a timer, use the timer and jump in front of the camera just as it is about to go off.

3) Find a reflective surface OTHER THAN A MIRROR and shoot yourself in it.

4) Find a strong light source and use it to give your face an unusual glow. Shoot it.

5) Shoot your hand on top of something interesting (i.e. tree bark; a kite; a keyboard). Use black-and-white film.

6) Shoot your shadow.

7) Put your camera under your chin, facing up, and shoot.

As I said before, this certainly isn't advice from a professional. However, since JPG is a site where members learn from each other and offer constructive criticism, I figure it can't hurt. If you need something to do, try some of my ideas, and tell me how they work for you!

Best of luck.

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8 responses

Spencer Allen gave props (9 Apr 2009):
great tips, great inspiration, thanks!
Karen Foto Fiddler gave props (10 Apr 2009):
Some good tips for us all.
Joy B gave props (10 Apr 2009):
I love the fact that you are so creative!
Karen Lynch gave props (9 May 2009):
These are very creative. Great job, especially for a young lady of your age. I'd say you are off to a great start.
Aaron Mythen gave props (13 May 2009):
Great photo essay Molly!! I think you're advice is brilliant :) You are very insightful and creative for a 14yr old. I certainly wish that I had been as creative as you when I was your age!! Keep experimenting :))
Aaron Mythen gave props (13 May 2009):
Oh! By the way 'Yeah It Rocks!'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Victor Roman gave props (25 May 2009):
well on your way to Radness!
Lise Utne gave props (26 Nov 2009):
Excellent advice and fine photos! So yes, it rocks!