Natalie Is Our Self Portrait Expert...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pose
Any tips on how to take a self portrait? You have to prefocus on something, right? But what? Maybe the chair you're sitting in? Someone care to explain to me, how you can focus on yourself if you arent there?
Another thing, any ideas of how I could do something like..illuminate only half of my face, leaving the other side dark/shadowed? I have no studio lighting or anything, so I would only have natural light at my disposal, maybe through a window in late afternoon? If I did get the proper lighting, how could I set the right exosure? I still rely on my cameras meter to guide me, I can't determine aperture and shutter by sight.
-Thanks for any comments/suggestions.
And she takes lovely self portraits. Of course, it helps that Natalie is a lovely lady!
Before we can give you any meaningful advice, we need to know what kind of camera you're using. A digital with a timer may focus before taking the photo - then again, it may not. A manual camera would be a piece of cake to pre-focus. Do you have a cable release or an electronic release? If so, you may be able to focus on yourself before you take the shot. Too many variables with all the camera models out there.
As for illuminating one side of your face, you can use window light, and expose for the sunlit side of your face. The other side will go dark. If you have the ability to mount your flash off camera (sync cord or wireless remote) you can set it up to one side to get the effect you want. There are LOTS of folks here more knowledgeable about lighting than I am. I would suggest you ask your lighting question in the Studio and Lighting Forum as well. It may get answered quicker there.
Good luck, and welcome to PR!