Self Potrait

[Anuj]

Hi,

ok, i think these r some of the most difficult ones or so i have heard. this is my first try at self portraits and consciously creating n controlling environment around the shot. Looking forward to any suggestion and opinions..

here are some questions I have....

I wanted the overall feel to have that late night effect, but is the lamp hurting the photo? I tried darkening that but i ended up liking the glare of lamp in the dark corner..

Are the shots looking too crowded\tight or empty??? I could not figure out weather to add or remove elements to make the shot more interesting...

{some things i will change nxt time are, bigger books , hand in hair to try to create more tension, change the time of clock, 11 pm is not that late} anything else??

Thank you

Anuj

[Runmonty]

Hi Anuj

Nice shots

Firstly I am new here, and there are people much more experienced than me to comment, so treat my obersvations accordingly.

For what it is worth, my first thought was that I prefer the simplicity of the B&W version.

On the colour version my eyes were drawn straight to the books. I wonder if the shot would benefit from having darker books or making them darker in photoshop. I would also clone out the distracting elements to the right of the lamp. The lamp itself didnt bother me. I like the leading lines as a result of the angle of the desk & mirror.

Hope this helps

[Anuj]

Hey,
thanx for reply..its model of car on upper right side. I added that intentionally to give it a bit more casual look..

anuj

[Marko]

This is a very strong first attempt at a self portrait.
I prefer shot 1 here. Lighting is very dramatic but the light itself might be stealing the whole show here. I wish that light were dimmer or placed differently....
In terms of additional ideas - perhaps some actual words on the paper might have added something...not sure.
I do like the "scene" you've created though and i can see that thought went into it - i like that.

[Anuj]

@Runmonty,

after watching the 2nd shot couple of more times i agree to fact that the 'red' book with big CIMS is taking too much attention..Thank you for pointing that out.

@ Marko

yup I will try again with new lamp!!!! I dont want it any dimmer, i wanted strong shadow and contrast so that part worked for me....

Thank you
anuj

[Mad Aussie]

Shot 1 for me ... and really I wouldn't change it. I think if I suggested anything it would just make it different, not necessarily better.
I also think if you did the hand in hair thing you'd be creating a whole other photo ... which could be something you'd like to do and make a set of such shots. Change nothing but what you are doing, positions etc.
I actually like the bright lamp. It adds a starkness and it tells us how dark it is.

[Matt K.]

Shot 1 for me as well. If you find the light too intrusive, burn it a bit. That might help getting the overblown whites out ...

[JAS_Photo]

Shot 1 for sure. I totally agree with M.A. about the lamp and light.

[Anuj]

Thank you M.A, JAS & matt K. I am planning of doing diff set of shots but in same kind of mood and light....

Anuj