I don’t have many photos of myself. Shooting selfies is embarrassing, so I try to avoid those at all costs. I do selfie-style videos for my Blurb duties, and those feel bad enough for three of me. I also create on-camera films for my YouTube channel, which feel equally painful. They make me feel like something’s gone epically wrong with my life. My generation pointed their cameras out into the world, not back on ourselves, so this might help explain why I feel this way.
This is why I find it especially nice when someone makes a picture of me.
My friend Larry made this portrait while I was shooting the burro races. I didn’t know he was making this picture, which is one reason I like it so much. I also like it because it’s not an easy read. It’s not me smiling or posing with my camera. I’m working, and he caught me in the act. I love the shadows and the patterns, and I like that the blacks are right on the edge of being too dark to investigate.
You can also see the Pocket 3 in my left hand. I’m clutching it with pure dismay after realizing for the one hundredth time I can’t shoot video and stills simultaneously and hope to do either at a high level. I am the walking definition of stupidity, trying this lame endeavor again and again, hoping for a new result. Portraiture is an essential skill. You can do it anywhere. It requires a bit of psychology, and it is possible to develop your unique style. It is also an easy way to quickly build a body of work. Had Larry set up a backdrop and a strobe, he could have made a hundred portraits in two hours. Try that with any other kind of project.
My camera has taken me many, many places, including photographing beekeepers. This shot was made right after I was stung on the face, less than one minute after leaving my car. The beekeeper said, “Sorry, the bees know you have Lyme Disease, so they marked you.” “Put my suit on.” She was 5’6, but who was I to argue? They pinged off of me for the rest of the day—angry, judgmental little things.
If you like portraiture, shoot it, or want to know more about it, well, this is your lucky day. Blurb is doing another Image Breakdown focusing on portraiture. June 26th, to be exact. What does this mean? It means get off your butt and send in some portraits. I’ll have a look and give you my feedback. Simple.
Comments 8
I can relate to you regarding self portraits. It feels super weird to click my own photos. That’s why my profile pictures are all years old XD
June 26th – marked. Getting my ass off to do some portraits for one month.
While on the topic of self-portraits, you can check out Iness Rychlik. She is a gem in this field
Author
I just realized one of my profile pictures is from 2012.
I would also recommend Angelique Boissiere’s new book, which is all self portraits shot over a decade. And yes she makes beautiful, physical, printed hard cover books of her work.
Author
When it comes to selfies, Arno.
There are a few (not many) YouTubers that are adept at the simultaneous video and still thing. But I suspect that they have a preconception about what they are shooting, perhaps in some cases they storyboard in advance. And of course they are good editors to make the interplay between the videos and stills feel seamless. Such editing is not a strength for me, and I admire the way that they are teaching at the same time as making compelling shots. Two that come to mind for me are Frederik Trovatten (esp Mexico City) and James Popsys. Both create photos that I would hang on my wall.
But I’m like you. To do video, I have to be out to do video. Stills the same. I’ve seen the rigs that people use, but with all the messing with time codes and sound, editing is a nightmare for someone like me. I find no joy in the editing process of anything that comes out of a camera. I have immense respect for people that do weekly longform videos on YouTube — just managing those assets with so many edits…. and then choosing music and punching in/out on the beat….or ducking + vo. Yeah, NO.
And yeah, self portraits are a no go for me, and my Resting Bitch Face seems to scare off most people wanting to make my picture. The beekeeper shot of you is very inspired, and it occurs to me that I’d willingly pose for that.
Author
I’m a long form doc person, and I don’t know a single person who can do both in this field. Not one. I know many who try, but their still work has fallen off in favor of IG posts and Reels. I would say it’s sad, but I don’t really care anymore.
I don’t take a lot of selfies but am interested in getting into self-portraits (not the same thing). Where do we send the portraits and in what format please?
Author
Just follow the link near the end of the post. Portraits are a great skill to have.