how to take a self-portrait that won't make you gouge your eyes out and quit cameras forever

I love to take pictures but as a result am always the one behind the lens. How do you take your self-portraits? ~ Elisa

With patience, a chunk of unhurried time, and solitude. And a chunk of unhurried time. And patience.

Self-portraits... ahh, self-portraits. They've made me swear a lot. They're going to make you swear a lot. Especially if you're not geared up to create them. Many people use wireless remotes to shoot -- they get into position, holding the remote discretely in their hand, and click twenty frames without having to return to the camera. This is helpful because portraiture of any kind relies on timing and expression -- two elements that can be tough to manipulate when you're both the photographer and the subject. I don't have a remote, but I do have a tripod. I can't imagine doing a self-portrait without one, though it is possible with props and furniture. It'll just be more challenging. Kind of like not having a remote.

Watch for pretty light, when the sun is low in the sky. Or diffused, under a tree. Be kind to yourself and to your face. Position yourself and your camera to capitalize on the light. In this case, it was early morning. The sun was behind me. I shot into it and overexposed, wanting the shot to be dreamy. Because when you're stressed and haggard, you want to emulate DREAMY so that nobody will know that you're stressed and haggard. Authenticity is way over-rated.

For today's launch of my new Shutter Sisters Capture Collection necklace from Bel Kai Designs. (more here)

See the photograph you want before you shoot. Do you want bokeh? Just your legs? Your face obscured by tall grass? A spinning motion blur? That might feel ambitious, if you're just beginning to experiment, but creative vision gives you purpose. Anything is possible. All it takes is a little backwards-engineering. Think about what kind of aperture, shutter speed, exposure, props, setting, and light you'll need to make that shot. Then gather those things together and try it.

Look through the lens and focus on a physical marker in the vicinity of where you think your eyes will be. Think of it as the 'x' on the floor on a movie set. In this case, I chose a section of hammock rope. Then I got into the hammock and the thing, of course, sank about two feet lower than I'd positioned the camera. So I lowered the tripod and did it all over again. Be prepared to get this wrong several times, and don't get discouraged. That's 50% of why a self-portrait is so tough: nailing the focus. So keep trying.

To make it easier, set the aperture a little more generously than you usually would for portraiture - say, f 5.6. This gives you a little more leeway (a broader focal range) in case your focus isn't exactly perfect. Once you've got it locked, switch the focus to manual so that it won't change as you press the shutter.

Shoot a couple of frames to test for exposure. Play around with over and under-exposure until you like what you see.

Set your camera to the continuous self-timer, telling it to take six or eight shots in sequence. Firing off a bunch in a row increases the likelihood that in that batch, there'll be something useable in terms of expression.

Click the shutter. The yellow light starts counting down. Get into position (leap over the tripod leg, stub your toe, land in the hammock, and almost flip over backwards). Then look sultry and relaxed. CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK CLICK.

Get back behind the camera to see how it worked and say OH MY GOD MY FACE LOOKS LIKE A DRUNKEN STEVEDORE or LIKE A STREETWALKER or LIKE A WHISKERED SEAL. Get over it. Remember that the only person with your hang-ups is you. Then do it again. Tweak camera position, exposure, or focus if you need to. Remember to breathe. When you think you're done, take fifty more frames. After downloading a hundred shots, be perfectly fine with deleting ninety of them, and grimacing at five of the remainder. Know that this is normal. It's no easy feat to reconcile technical proficiency, luck, vanity, and mental state.

An interesting self-portrait -- or even just one that you're happy with, if you're not generally happy with photos of yourself -- can make you see yourself differently. The creating of it makes you a better photographer and a better portraitist. Unless you kneecap yourself on a hammock pipe. That just makes you a klutz.

Got any self-portraits to share? I'd love to see them. Tell me what you found most confronting or most difficult about making them. Was it worth it?

Comments

[Alison]

This picture: http://drp.ly/1DZcb3 , which I'm really not a fan of at all, is the closest I've tried to a self portrait recently.

I was in the Melbourne airport, I'd been back in Australia for a matter of minutes, was feeling fairly sorry for myself, and was conscious of the people walking past (even though it was 6am and there weren't many). I guess the colour (which I've played with but only slightly) has an air of one of those 'if you're depressed, call this hotline NOW' commercials. I was tired and gave up on trying to get the shot I wanted.

Thanks for your tips. I will definitely try it out (in a week when I have been sleeping for 6 days and there are no papers to grade), because right now, I look like I'm on meth. And that's just not good for portraiture of any kind.

[misty]

I'm am soooo excited to try this. I'm going to try this starting today but you may not see me trying this until I get something worth sharing, which may take a while.
The trick about switching to manual, I didn't know you could do that! That will eliminate alot of focus swear words.
Thanks for this. You are always inspiring.

[sweetsalty kate]

Alison, self-portraits like that are so amazing. They're like cementing a moment, just as it is. I've got a couple like that. They're good for the soul. And memory.

Misty - yeah! That's the trick. Focus on your 'x' marker, where you think your face will be - then flick the little switch on the outside of your lens from autofocus to manual focus. Then, when you click on the shutter to start the self-timer, the lens won't refocus, but will stay locked on your 'x' (as long as you don't turn the focus ring). It would be really, really tough to get a shot without doing this. Let me know when you've tried it! Would love to see.

[angelica]

loved this post, thanks, will try it, but might need to borrow your tripod AND your face for it....

[afteriris]

I took this self-portrait with my computer:

http://afteririscreates.wordpress.com/2010/01/24/profile/

I take a lot of self portraits. I'm a total narcissist, clearly.

[sweetsalty kate]

Angelica, Sue had asked about this on twitter so I'll answer it here as well, in terms of the tripod:

Not having a tripod could make self-portraiture a bit frustrating, depending on your idea - but I could have easily gotten that shot with the camera on a stool. Just find a small stool - anything to prop up the camera. Something that's the right height (again, this could limit your creative vision somewhat, but just adapt) and stable. Then grab a few extra props to help position the lens, which often needs to be propped up further - i.e. a stool plus a couple of small books or blocks underneath the lens. It's a bit finicky but doable. So don't let a lack of tripod stop you from trying self-portraits.

In a pinch, you can always get one of those pocket tripods or tabletop ones - they're a lot less expensive, and they would certainly help. Usually around $30-40, I think. Then again, you can always just get a cheaper tripod - they've got them here for $60-80. Woudn't be heavy-duty, but what a huge difference it would make. http://atlanticphotosupply.fotosource.com/tripods1.html

The face thing I mentioned on twitter too. Someone joked about it and I answered in this insufferably earnest way about self-acceptance, but it's totally true - the exercise of taking a self-portrait is worthwhile for technical practice (it really is a challenge, and gets you thinking about settings and set-ups) but also for how you feel about your own face in front of a camera. As long as you can get past the inevitable demoralization - you're going to grimace at a lot of shots - you'll find one or two or ten that totally challenges how you feel about how you look. They'll be satisfying and fulfilling and it'll mess with your head and sense of self. And it'll turn you into a raging narcissist, but that's another post. :)

[sweetsalty kate]

Smiling at you, afteriris. I like that.

[Alison]

You're right. I definitely can't look at it without remembering exactly what that moment was; a greasy-haired quiet moment of tiredness and "I wish there was someone (I imagine that I probably had someone specific in mind) to take this picture and that it wasn't a vague and cold attempt at a self-portrait". Interestingly (not knowing the manual focus trick), the camera is focused on a nice, shiny, empty spot, right on the seat; a place for someone else to sit, perhaps. ;)

Yeah, that's just what I got from it. But that's because I know.

[jodi]

love your commentary of the mad dash and clumsiness of taking a self portrait. it's always a bit hilarious, isn't it? =)

here is one of my favorite SPs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jodimckee/4338089089

[heatherfeather]

I have a really hard time ever liking photos that anyone else takes of me, so most of my pictures are self-portraits. Either done at arms length or the 10-second timer dash. I want a remote so, so badly. While most of my pictures are self-portraits, I do sort of favor this one - it's about 4 years old, and reminds me so thoroughly of the carefree, new-love feeling of our first road trip.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swandive00/170934147/

But oi, the noise in it...

[zan]

Impromptu beach tripod: a sun-bleached railroad sleeper.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zanathan/3938624967/
The top of my head may be cut off, but I captured exactly what I wanted to in that moment: the quiet but proud satisfaction I felt from a solitary 8-mile bike ride through forest and marshland, and the chance to rest for a moment on the beach before heading back to the cottage.

[Julia]

Kate, this is so gorgeous. It looks effortless, so good job on that!
I am without a good self portraits to share, I'm afraid. But I will enjoy your tips on creating one and try them out when I have more than 4 hours of sleep under my belt.

XO, Julia

PS, I just raided Eben's piggy bank to see if I could afford your insanely stunning necklace, but alas he only had 6 quarters and a Chuckie Cheese coin.

Quietly checking the couch cushions next.

It's ridiculously pretty, and I am so happy for all of the wonderful things coming to you. You deserve it.

[AnnGeeDee]

I struggle with self portraits, both technically and emotionally. I get frustrated that what I'm seeing in my head is not what comes out of the camera. On my birthday, I decided I should document the passage of time by taking a few self portraits. Here is one of the outtakes that I actually kindof liked, mainly due to fact that I start laughing at myself. I cropped out the remote that kept trying to make it's debut in the shots: http://www.flickr.com/photos/40070449@N08/4873994403/

[Julia]

All right, if everyone else is posting, I guess i will be brave and post one too. Ignore my post above (well atleast the part about not having any SP's) I actually have a bunch. BUT, none quite up to the snuff of what you've got here.

Anyway, here it is.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/julesinsearch/4106487050/in/set-72157616954602777/

It was a day that was just that...exhausting. I propped the camera on top of the dresser and collapsed onto my big bed. Proof for myself that I actually DID rest that day.

The cow was already lounging, a leftover from snuggles with my boy in the morning.

[xanthe]

i had never really thought of it like this -
" The creating of it makes you a better photographer and a better portraitist"
Thank you Kate, you are so generous with your advice and knowledge, another great round the kitchen table x.

[Trude]

LOL thanks for your honesty! Some great tips. I'm so glad I ordered a remote the same time I ordered my camera - that was almost 3 years ago, and I still haven't needed to replace the battery. Comes especially in handy during the holidays to get the family shot - you get great outtakes. :) I actually entered this self portrait in a competition recently, I combined a few shots I had taken to get something that really spoke to me: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/4928519270/

[meredith winn]

this is by far the best tutorial on self portraiture i've ever read! and you got it kate, this is amazingly beautiful (and amazing, in a swinging hammock no doubt, you got mad skills lady!)

[Anne]

no self prtrait to share ... just the comment that you are incredibly beautiful and quite a gifted photographer.

on a totally unrelated plane , wanted to tell you that i read "The Dread Crew" and cannot wait until my granddaughter is old enough for it. She loves scavenger hunts around the house and/or neighborhood so i know she will love this adventure!

[Julie Alvarez]

Perfect advices!
I like these ones...:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2871822666/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/4870315399/in/set-752667/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/4708400017/in/set-752667/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3501854932/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3529037904/in/photostream/
What I find the most difficult is to find where to turn my eyes to, and the expression. It always feels fake when I make it, not always when I see the final picture though...

[misty]

I tried it !! Not like going to the dentist at all.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/4949953588/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dontforgetthehorse/4949975556/in/photostream/

[sweetsalty kate]

You're all so cool. I love seeing all these self-portraits! Come back and add more, if you do one, okay?

[Sherry]

I've done the 365Days project on Flickr and am now doing the less demanding 52 weeks project so I've done more self-portraits than may be healthy. My two favorites are these:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherina/2911292281/in/set-72157603608549179/

and

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sherina/4885722403/in/set-72157623111146230/

[mosey]

Well this is cool. I just did a post about a self portrait, and someone linked to this in the comments. Can't believe I missed it! Yours of course is BEYOND gorgeous.

blogged:
http://moseyalong.blogspot.com/2010/09/bright-and-dark.html

on flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7687752@N03/4952805050/

[angelica]

I love (LOVE) that photo of yours. it has such a beautiful summer feeling to it. my self portraits are usually a bit on the darker side....

http://angelica.carbonmade.com/projects/2032277#10

I have a blog but am always uncomfortable about showing too much (go figure) so for my photo website I came up with this idea. I took the photo with the help of a mirror; it allows you to see the light on your face and the expression, but you just need to calculate the perspective. then I "painted on it" highlighting my characteristics, but at the same time hiding myself behind them. I'm kind of chuft with the outcome

http://angelica.carbonmade.com/about

[Joseph Bayot]

Excellent post! Demystifying the subtleties of self-portraits.

Here's my self-portrait:

http://drp.ly/1FvG9Q

I actually "myspaced" this one: Went into my bathroom (because I like the lighting), set my XT with 24-105 to f/4, extended my right arm, found a flatteringly high angle, and just shot until I got one that I liked.

I took this because I needed a photo for various forums, profiles, and other online IDs. It works for me. =)

[Snapped Ps]

Ooh, will have to try this next time I get the chance/gumption to try a self-portrait. Thanks for the excellent advice.

[Cheryl Arkison]

Thank-you for this. My self portraits, like most of my photos, are pretty amateur. But I'm trying, right. So far, I'm a fan of the ones where it is only a snippet of me and not my face, head on. The last photo on this recent post is one of my favourites. I just like the way my hair has movement in the photo.

http://naptimequilter.blogspot.com/2010/08/pink.html

[Diane]

Yours is fantastic! Thanks for some tips I hadn't thought of (the continuous shots). I've tried and hated them all. I was in a pinch a year ago for a 'fresh' photo from my editor and she wanted it asap. I hated every one but got one that wasn't 'too bad' though it's definitely out of focus. That was the best I could do. Maybe this winter when I'm not so busy I will give this a try. Thanks for this.

[boho girl]

this was so helpful. its been a while since i did this and i giggled at your humor. SO true about stubbing the toe and taking over a hundred and a few feeling a bit right.

this is one of my favorite shots of you...well done.

[Jessica ( xo_strawberry)]

Thanks for the great advice Kate! I'm so glad i met you at blissdom canada and as soon as I had to do a self portrait your the first person I looked up! I'm so happy you did this post because i REALLY needed this!
Thanks so much