Baby's first self-portrait

[VISUS]

Aloha,

This is my first posting in this forum. So how 'bout a little about myself? I work as a SCUBA instructor in Maui, Hawaii & as a local professional underwater photographer. I'm in the water, shooting mostly wide angle photos on a daily basis; however, I hesitate to call land photography even a hobby for me, given that I take above-water shots no more than once a year!

The weather and ocean conditions have been tumultuous over the past 3 days, making diving impossible. Bottom line: I've had a lot of spare time on my hands...
and so today I found myself attempting my first ever self-portrait photo shoot.

Attached are my results:

[CLKunst]

Welcome to the Forum! I'm new here too but love your pictures! The color one for me is the most riveting but I really like the the first black & white shot as well. Looks a little too overblown in the middle of your face for the third shot but the composition for all of them is just awesome. Is your eyepiece make-up or tattoo? Hope you post some underwater shots too. Again welcome and Cheers!

[VISUS]

Welcome to the Forum! I'm new here too but love your pictures! The color one for me is the most riveting but I really like the the first black & white shot as well. Looks a little too overblown in the middle of your face for the third shot but the composition for all of them is just awesome. Is your eyepiece make-up or tattoo? Hope you post some underwater shots too. Again welcome and Cheers!

Thanks for the support!
The black markings on my face are make-up (done by me).
In alignment with the weather, I was feeling somewhat dark, stormy & edgy...with a good amount of sadness. The color image and head & shoulders shots were coincidentally nice shots I thought...
but the real tone I was going for is in the close up b/w. I realized at the time of production that the overexposure in this shot might be a mark against it, technically speaking...however, it is exactly what I wanted.
Before I explain exactly what I was trying to get across, I was hoping to explore what the image may have evoked in others...
Feedback?

[readingr]

Visus,

Nice photos, I prefer the left B&W photo which has excellent tonal quality. I get the impression of a woman on a mission and also a sadness of things not going right. Its also showing the softer side of someone who also cares about the people or the environment she lives in and the makeup and the hair adds to the creative streak showing through.

As for the other 2 photos they don't do much for me, the colour photo looks a bit lifless which is what you may be trying to show but for me something is missing and I can't put my finger on it.

The last B&W is too tight and too soft but still shows a hardness or so much determination in the expression which to me does not suite the photo style.

Hope some of that makes sense.

roger

[LeeIs]

Welcome to the board Visus.

Out of the 3, I think the 1st is the strongest. Those black marks add to the shot IMO. I'm also looking forward to seeing your underwater shots. I haven't seen any on this board at all. I think you've officially cornered the underwater photography on this board all to your self

[CLKunst]

Self portraiture is done to please the self. If the last is the one you are shooting for I am very curious to know why. The first two do a wonderful, if accidental, job of portraying the pensive edgienss but keep your dimensions intact; meaning the relationship between your head neck and shoulders. The third looks like your face is not attached to your neck and seems IMO really disjointed from the rest of your body. Perhaps this is expressing your disjointed feeling for being out of the water so long or perhaps a mermaid pining for the sea? ;)

[gahspidy]

Welcome, I like the first and the last best. The last shot having the most potential as well. I like the distant look in the eyes and it comes off to me as a woman in thought about things that she is passionate about, perhaps that concern the other world you live in, underwater. I do feel that the diffused lighting is a bit too much and at least it your eyes were sharper and cutting through the soft light it would help alot, for me. Look forward to more . .

[VISUS]

Thanks to all for your feedback and your willingness to explore what the images brought up for you. I welcome any further feedback &/or dialog.

As to where I was coming from on the final image (close-up B&W):
I was in this strange psycho-spiritual head space of having surrendered to my melancholy feelings. I was interested in exploring and expressing the concept of this transitional place where there becomes less of a definite line between the person and the emotion. The overexposure of my face is meant to be reminiscent of the moon, somewhat lifeless and cool, suspended in the void; the tiny tangles of hair around my neck, symbolizing my physical identity clinging on, as my soul slips away in the vacuum of sadness.

I tried several different configurations, and this level of diffusion was the only place where I was satisfied and felt that I was able to 'erase' enough of the face's personality to adequately represent the loss of personal identity...however, I understand why many of you would have preferred it otherwise.

I'll see what I can do about getting an u/w image posted on the forum soon.

Cheers!
V