Start out by grabbing
that camera manual. Yep. Sooner
or later you knew you should read it.
It is going to tell you what features your
camera has to help you out with a self
portrait. Most cameras today have a
portrait setting--usually a picture of a
head. Many have a self portrait
setting, too--picture of a head looking into
a camera. You also need to know if you
have a timer or remote control option.
These can come in handy if you want a more
formal shot. If you do have a timer,
set your camera on a tripod or other sturdy
surface and start shooting.
Not timing it?
Head out into some natural light, sit still,
reach your arm straight out in front of you
and take a bunch of shots. Switch
arms, change angles, make some faces.
Get used to being the subject--remember you
can fix them later. For tips on how,
check out the past issues.
Here is my favorite
of me from the "stretch and shoot" method.
I did some of our
basic shopping to this one. Lightened
the highlights and darkened the background.
I cropped out my shoulders so you couldn't
see the twisted angle of them from reaching
out my hand.
Ready to try
something more? You can take a really
cool self portrait in any reflective
surface. Instantly a mirror comes to
mind and that is a good place to start.
Turn your flash off, put the camera at your
waist and take a few shots. Crop out
the camera and do what ever shopping you
wish.
Windows and water
are also great for a reflection shot.
I was fooling around with a cd and took this
one. Took me a bunch of shots to get
the camera right in the middle of the cd,
but totally worth it.
Head on over to the
next page to see some things you can do with
your portrait and some photoshop.
