Which avatar?

[Franglais]

I have so many web sites nowadays:

- professional to promote my work and hold my CV
- semi-professional with the places I've been, people I've met
- FaceBook
- my web site (actually used for Salsa demos)
- my anonymous web site to show photos (book.fr)
- private photo sharing
- place to meet women
- here. Almost forgot

Nobody seems to be able to do a good portrait of me. I've been reduced to doing it myself. Here are some of the results. Which picture would you use for which site? Should I keep on going? It's actually quite fun sitting here pulling faces in the mirror but I need to convert my apartment back into a place to live rather than a photo studio..

[jetrim]

#1 - professional to promote my work and hold my CV
#3 or 14 - semi-professional with the places I've been, people I've met
#8 - FaceBook
#8 or 24 - my web site (actually used for Salsa demos)
Wouldn't be anonymous if you posted your picture, now would it?- my anonymous web site to show photos (book.fr)
#14- private photo sharing
I'll let the women on the forum address this one - place to meet women
Any one of them - here. Almost forgot

[dana m.]

This is a tough call...they all look good. I think for the "woman" vote I will have to go with 24. Now to really get into this contest I would need to have them retaken in about a month or so with the addition of facial hair.

[Franglais]

This is a tough call...they all look good. I think for the "woman" vote I will have to go with 24. Now to really get into this contest I would need to have them retaken in about a month or so with the addition of facial hair.

A beard? What a wonderful idea. That's what I need to make me look my age (57 years old). But not just yet. It would be rather a surprise for my friends.

Explanation for the "Anonymous web site with photo". It's to avoid burglars. I go out to Technoparade and stuff with lots of impressive material, do pictures of the kids from the "problem areas", let them have access to the pictures - without actually giving them my real name and address.

Thanks for the feedback. It's very useful.

[natgaines]

#1 for the more business side and #14 for the more casual, women meeting stuff. IMPO, I feel 14 is very inviting and approachable. While 24 is a nice and fun shot, it looks like the next thing you might say is "Now, now..." Hehe...all very sharp pictures BTW.

And what's wrong with your house looking like a studio? Maybe that's what my roommate was complaining about the other day??

[caleb]

nice shots, would you mind showing us your lighting/"studio" set up?

[zen]

14,...very zen master-ish. LOL

[Franglais]

nice shots, would you mind showing us your lighting/"studio" set up?

Here we go. First picture gives you the general idea, from front to back:

1. MIrror so I can see myself. Also holds pictures of various women so I imagine I'm looking into their eyes, sending messages
2. Left-hand side Monolite with a big silver Lastolite brolly. I prefer a softbox but it takes too long to set up
3. Tripod marks the camera position (hardly visible)
4. Chair for the subject
5. Right-hand side up on the Ikea modules, two Jessops 336VM units, one with a snoot to light the background and one with a barndoors to light the hair. Ther was actually too much light on the face - gave me a red ear. The 336VM units have the enormous advantage of being small enough to leave in place all the time
6. Roll of grey background paper on a sturdy wooden pole that I just roll up when I don't need it

Second picture is a detail of the 336VM units.

Note that the only furniture is almost flat and can be leant against the left-hand wall quickly. If I'm expecting guests then I shift some more classic furniture in from the next room, but with the room almost empty I can be ready for a studio shoot in 5 minutes.