Self Assignment: Self-Portraits

Now that I’m settled in Raleigh I decided it was time to unbox my light stands and flash units and start practicing portrait photography. Like all great artists *cough* I decided to hire myself as a model since I was already here and available.

The first set of portraits (black shirt) was taken using my 40mm lens and before I decided that having a remote shutter release would make life much easier (and also it would greatly reduce the risk of tripping over a tripod leg when I’m running to get in front of the lens after setting off the timer). The second set of portraits (blue polka-dot sweater) was shot with my 85mm lens and the remote shutter release (huzzah!). I had my Speedlight on a stand, aimed at the ceiling, and my Sunpak was behind a diffuser umbrella off to my left (to boost the natural daylight coming in from my window). For self-portraits I still have to hack getting the focus locked in, usually by sliding a light stand in the approximate spot I’ll be posing, or propping up a tripod bag on a stool. It seems to work reasonably well.

I’ll haul out my Michael Grecco and Joe McNally books in due time, but for now, I’m having some fun getting reacquainted with my gear.