Self-Portraits

Self Portraits, in theory, scare me. In actuality, I have a lot of fun with them.

I feel as if I have two selfs - there are two different sides to me. I can be reserved, quiet and shy, but in other situations I will be outgoing and daring. When in cosplay, or "costume play" I can take on the role of another person or character. I can be "Missy." I like dressing up, being someone different in a place nobody knows me. I can take on another personality. 

I travel. I drive. I fall asleep. I travel far for what I want to do. I become determined and do something, if it's what I set out to do.

My place is behind a camera rather then in front of it. I will give direction, or have someone pose and shoot - which is why self portraits are scary.

Self-Portrait Inspiration : Jean Fan

A self portrait photographer whose work I enjoy is not somebody famous. She is a college student, just like I am, who has simply been dabbling in photography on her own for years. To me, someone similar to myself is more inspirational then anyone else. She shows that greatness can be achieved.

© Jean Fan

© Jean Fan

Jean Fan  is a smart girl with creative concepts and is skilled at taking self portraits. I love that she is always wearing a different outfit, showing a different persona. Often times she does not even show her face, since it's not important in her portraits. 

Her site can be found here.

Aperture & Shutter Speed Test

1/125 @ f/3.5

1/60 @ f/4.5

1/30 @ f/9.0

1/15 @ f/11.0

1/8 @ f/22.0

f/22 @ 1/8

f/16 @ 1/13

f/11.0 @ 1/40

f/8.0 @ 1/80

f/5.6 @ 1/00

The Portrait : Asking Why?

We make art about each other, because it is the closest thing to ourselves. It is what we know best; before advances in technology, it is what we saw most often. Humans have always interacted with other humans. Art work comes from experiences one has, and one gets those via interaction. Everybody is connected; it is a fact that cannot be denied.  People are connected to other people, and it is often those relationships or bonds that influence how one thinks.

Portrait artists strive to capture the essence of a specific person. While we are all genetically similar, each person has a unique personality. No two people are exactly the same Portrait artists try to talk about how a person is with the use of image rather then words; how the person interactions with their environment and what they are like. Or sometimes, that image can be deceptive. Images can show whatever it is a person choses to show - a portrait is just that: a still image. It speaks through image alone. Things can be assumed, but never can one be completely sure of how a person truly is. A portrait shows what the photographer wants to show, or what the model decides to let show through.

Paintings, sculptures and other artistic media are different from photography. they each have their own unique properties. THey allow people to see & experience things in different ways. A photograph of someone next to a painting will look different; photography will show every detail while a painter can chose to edit what they want to show. The two are similar though in that they are both creating something. They both take time, thought and energy to create. Neither is better then the other.

My Portraiture :

Others Portraiture :

These are some portraits I like :

By William Eggleston

I love Eggleston's work. I love the spontaneousness and random feel it gives - little moments that people otherwise ignore. Much of his work involves objects rather then people, but the photos of his with people are not posed. I do not like posted portraits, I feel they are too stiff and am much more a fan of spontaneous portraits, somebody in the middle of doing something, or talking/laughing - an action. 

by Robert Frank

Similar to Eggleston, I like Frank's take on a subject matter, in his case, America. He saw America from a different perspective - from the perspective of a regular person. He didn't show high class living, he showed how most of the population lived - and I like that. I enjoy the rawness of his photography. 

Now, I know other classic photographers such as Julia Margret Cameron and Nadar, who I studied in a previous black & white photography class and I also enjoy their work. However, I am not that familiar with many "famous" portrait photographers.

I am, however, familiar with photographers located in and around New York City who are active in the Japanese Rock (Jrock), anime/cosplay, etc. scene. The following is one such photographer:

by Carroll Kong (modelmayhem)

I like theatrics. I like the cyber aspect of this photo, of the outfit the model is wearing, and I love the location. I prefer photographs in natural settings, depending on the situation. Sometimes a model is well suited for a studio shoot, but sometimes, they are not, and I like the flexibility to be able to shoot outside a studio. I don't believe all work has to be done in a studio to be good - it can be done on location, or outside using sunlight.

That is the style I am fond of - spontaneous, natural poses.

FASHION

fash·ion

   [fash-uhn] 

–noun

1.

a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing,etc.: the latest fashion in dresses.

2.

conventional usage in dress, manners, etc., esp. of politesociety, or conformity to it: the dictates of fashion; to be outof fashion.


(from dictionary.com)

なうなう ~

I made a blog.

I will post photos and ramblings here.

I like typing in hiragana. 

(Feel free to correct my Japanese at any point.)

やあやあ。よろしくです。<3

なう.