Self Portrait - Angst

[Marko]

My first self portrait taken a few years ago when I grew a full beard. (I don't look at all like this today). I deliberately underexposed the shot by about 3-4 stops and I used High speed film to get the grain. I don't know why I was trying to portray this emotion, but I was trying to portray 'Angst'.

All comments appreciated!

Thanks
Marko

[tegan]

Well, you are a good actor and the concept of cross lighting is effective but the execution of that lighting presents problems.

The old cliché still applies that "the eyes are mirrors of the soul', which makes them a required part of any portrait. You have your key light but no fill at all, which leaves one eye not present at all and the other with a very little bit of detail, in a dark shadow. The trick to using shadows is to make sure that even with the shadows present, that they do not hide important detail. I think for example of some of the low light portraits that Karsh did of Hemmingway and Churchill for example.

You got some creases in the forehead for example which certainly got across the angst and were lit very well, but I am sure that you missed a lot in the shadow areas. The piece of beard shows great texture and sharpness from the lighting too, but a lot of the beard is missing in the shadow areas as well. You are missing a thumb too. Leaving very much at all to the imagination in any media-oriented art form is considered a weakness by those who evaluate and/or buy our work.

Tegan

[gibbon]

Really good shot. I think this is an unusual shot that is very powerful. If you changed the lighting you would change the whole mood so I would leave it alone. I agree that normally you should see the eyes, but not always. Rules are made to be broken.

[tegan]

Rules are made to be broken.

Not, when following them can produce an even more effective photo with a stronger mood.

Tegan

[Ludi]

My first self portrait taken a few years ago when I grew a full beard. (I don't look at all like this today). I deliberately underexposed the shot by about 3-4 stops and I used High speed film to get the grain. I don't know why I was trying to portray this emotion, but I was trying to portray 'Angst'.

All comments appreciated!

Thanks
Marko

Perfect light & shadow. Well done.

Ludi

[kiley9806]

this is cool - i like the fact you can see your hand near your face, and an 'almost' tear in your eye. great self photo!

[dmartins]

I must say...this is a really awesome shot!

Dan

[cdanddvdpublisher]

Not, when following them can produce an even more effective photo with a stronger mood.

Tegan

Agreed... There are sometimes that, while rules are meant to be broken, guidelines are there for a reason.

[Marko]

Thanks again for recent comments on this photo.

Even though I'm always open for ideas and critiques about my own work there are some phoos that I am inherently happy with and this is one of them.

I am a HUGE fan of theatrical portraiture and I must start taking more shots!