First Self Portrait...

Tdcompton

First time ever shooting myself like this..

Only natural light, and besides cropping and adding the logo.. Zero PP.

Critiques welcome...

CyberSteak

Wow. Very nice pic. Can't speak too much from the technical side of things but I'll give my input on what I think would look better.

- I don't like that the top part of your head is cut off. In the photo you look bald. Not sure if you are...but if you're not...you look it.
- I'd prefer the pic without the glasses. They appear to be transition lenses that are partly tinted out making it hard to see your eyes.
- Match the top and bottom (undies)....or at the very least don't have one overpower the other.

Otherwise this was a great first attempt and a pleasant surprise. I thought (not knowing who you were) that this would be another male member of the forum jumping in front of the camera nekkid. Whew! So who's the lucky fella getting the pic?

Tdcompton

Thank you for taking the time to write...

1> Yeah, unfortunately I did cut off my head by accident... Curse of having too big of a forehead

2> I'll never photograph myself without my glasses... They are just who I am... And I don't like how I look w.o them.. lol.

3> The panties actually are the same color as the trim on the bra, but you are right, you can't really tell b.c the image doesn't show the trim on the bra.

And no fellow gets this image.... I am very single.

canoesailor

I agree with most of Cybersteaks comments, as a lifetime specs wearer I understand what you mean about how you look without them. But that is what you get used to and when you see yourself without them it looks odd. I wouldn't normally encourage glasses wearers to take them off, but I would be very surprised if you haven't got a very attractive face hiding behind them.

I hope my next comment is taken in the spirit that I mean it, but artistically the picture would be better without the Bra.

Good try though and great to see a female self portrait instead of all the male ones.

CyberSteak

Tdcompton wrote: »

Thank you for taking the time to write...

1> Yeah, unfortunately I did cut off my head by accident... Curse of having too big of a forehead

Well you have hair...so that's a plus.

2> I'll never photograph myself without my glasses... They are just who I am... And I don't like how I look w.o them.. lol.

Ok. I get that. And get what you're saying here. I just think you're senind mixed messages with the photo. So let's speak to the photographer side of you, not the subject.

To me the photo speaks intimacy. Not sure if it is what you were going for, but it's how I read it. You're opened up (arms above your head as opposed to crossed in front of you. You're also in your bra and panties. Again that's a fairly vulnerable position suggesting intimacy. If you yourself was photographing someone else in this position, would you suggest that they remove their glasses? The story isn't very believable with them on. Kinda feels half done. If you're going to go this far, may as well commit the rest of the way.

And no fellow gets this image.... I am very single.

Ha...that may very well change after this post.

So are you going to take the feedback and try again?

CyberSteak

canoesailor wrote: »

I hope my next comment is taken in the spirit that I mean it, but artistically the picture would be better without the Bra.

I get what you're saying here. You're not necessarily suggesting nudity, just the removal of the bra (hands/arms strategically placed to hide parts she may not be comfortable with exposing). In that case I'd definately suggest panties in a more muted tone.

Tdcompton

Well if I get a chance to reshoot the shot sometime this week then I will try it... But After Sunday I no longer have the loaner camera... It's going to be hard to give up lol.

CyberSteak

Tdcompton wrote: »

Well if I get a chance to reshoot the shot sometime this week then I will try it... But After Sunday I no longer have the loaner camera... It's going to be hard to give up lol.

Loner camera? You don't have one of your own?

Tdcompton

I only have the D70s.. Shot this with the D2Xs..

greatbuffalo

I like it except for the bra, not the fact that that there is one but the style. I like more form fitting bra, not the more padded variety. It just looks awkward. I think the glasses are great although like someone said, would be better to see your eyes more clearly. Other than that for a first time self portrait, I think it good.

canoesailor

First Self Portrait

CyberSteak wrote: »

I get what you're saying here. You're not necessarily suggesting nudity, just the removal of the bra (hands/arms strategically placed to hide parts she may not be comfortable with exposing). In that case I'd definately suggest panties in a more muted tone.

That's right, perhaps it would have been better if I'd expressed it that way:o)

Tdcompton

I'm only a 32A... I don't own unpadded bras lol

BMW Kurt

Tdcompton wrote: »

I'm only a 32A... I don't own unpadded bras lol

Size doesn't matter!!!!! (or does it?)

BradfordBenn

The other thing that might help is to try shooting tethered so that you can see the picture on the bigger screen. I was experimenting with some work action shots (long story not that exciting) and used the Canon software to both tether and do a shot every 30 seconds. It allowed more time for me to get into the picture and into the "action" so to speak. So I would hear the snap and see the flash. Then I would look at the computer screen (turned toward me) to see if it was close, then let it keep rolling until I got enough. Worked well for me.

No, they aren't worth sharing. It is instructions for making a repair.

Nikolai

Congrats on your venture into the dangerous waters of GF! lust
Guys already made enough comments to keep you going.

I only would like to add that, as the saying goes, "it's not the size, it's how you use it". Typically applied for another gender, it's still true for females, too. Some of my best-ever models sported an A-cup... And since we're not shooting for "Juggs", it's really up to you as a model and you as a photographer to work with what you have and make it look exactly the way you want.

I must add that taking 18+ SP is extremely challenging and difficult. Kudos to you for a good start!
HTH
Nikolai

Nikolai

BradfordBenn wrote: »

The other thing that might help is to try shooting tethered so that you can see the picture on the bigger screen...

Brad, while I totally second the benefits of tethered shooting (I hardly ever shoot the other way these days, at least in the studio), the OP is from the N-world. That stuff doesn't come for free over there.

ian408

I think it's a very nice SP. For several reasons. It's not the typical SP, the photo suggests a level of intimacy so many others in this forum do not. There's even a little mystery which is also good.

No fashion advice as I'm no expert.

Tdcompton

Size does matter... Even I look at the size and think it would look much better with more shape... Anyone willing to buy the enhancements? jk.. Unless you would.

BradfordBenn>> I don't have the ability to do the tethered stuff.. I don't have the software for that.. Would be nice.

canoesailor

Tdcompton wrote: »

Size does matter... Even I look at the size and think it would look much better with more shape... Anyone willing to buy the enhancements? jk.. Unless you would.

Natural is best, enhancements may apeal to some, but they're not you, they are just a couple of pieces of unfeeling silicone - hey pehaps that's another name for them "Silly Cones"

1pocket

Tdcompton wrote: »

Thank you for taking the time to write...

1> Yeah, unfortunately I did cut off my head by accident... Curse of having too big of a forehead

2> I'll never photograph myself without my glasses... They are just who I am... And I don't like how I look w.o them.. lol.

3> The panties actually are the same color as the trim on the bra, but you are right, you can't really tell b.c the image doesn't show the trim on the bra.

And no fellow gets this image.... I am very single.

I like the head crop just as it is -- you have your eyes fully in frame -- no need to keep going and let your hair fall out of the frame....

dogwood

Nikolai wrote: »

I must add that taking 18+ SP is extremely challenging and difficult. Kudos to you for a good start!

18+? I see a lot more explicit photos in the windows of Victoria's Secret at the local mall. What would make this image 18+?

Nikolai

dogwood wrote: »

18+? I see a lot more explicit photos in the windows of Victoria's Secret at the local mall. What would make this image 18+?

Pete,
I generally agree, but apparently the OP "feels" this way, esp. considering she posted it here in GF...
Now, do you visit VS store for posing ideas or for lighting advise?
Cheers, mate!
Nikolai

dogwood

Nikolai wrote: »

Pete,
I generally agree, but apparently the OP "feels" this way, esp. considering she posted it here in GF...
Now, do you visit VS store for posing ideas or for lighting advise?
Cheers, mate!
Nikolai

Well this is probably the best forum here for boudoir style photos. Heck some people think bikini photos belong on this forum!

And by the way, Tdcompton, I think your photo in the original post is very tasteful. Lots of other comments/tips here and not much I can add to them.

But Nikolai, my last visit to VS was for thigh high stockings for a model for a shoot. I long ago got over being embarrassed by that kind of thing! You should see the looks I get when I buy loads of jewelry at Claires or battle the gaggles of teenage girls at Forever 21 (I always win, BTW)

BradfordBenn

I am curious about the background you used for the portrait. For me, it is a little distracting with the fringing/colorcast by the navel and on the right arm. My hunch is that it was actually that bright and captured that way, I am curious is dropping it level in processing or in the reshoot (:D) might help a little. I also am curious if you have thought about B&W as that could be very striking.

Still very nice shot!

Tdcompton

BradfordBenn>> The background is simply my bedroom window, using the white blinds as a diffuser... I've never really worked in B&W...

BradfordBenn

There are some good tutorials around here on B&W. I am just starting to experiment with it myself but am amazed at how much it can change the timbre of the image. I am grabbing a quick lunch so apologies for not providing direct links but in this gallery http://photos.bradfordbenn.com/Street-Scenes/SouthBendPhotoWalk2010/13151847_FbKxB#953986164_kaErU you can see some of the differences.

SillKicking

Tdcompton wrote: »

Thank you for taking the time to write...

1> Yeah, unfortunately I did cut off my head by accident... Curse of having too big of a forehead

2> I'll never photograph myself without my glasses... They are just who I am... And I don't like how I look w.o them.. lol.

3> The panties actually are the same color as the trim on the bra, but you are right, you can't really tell b.c the image doesn't show the trim on the bra.

And no fellow gets this image.... I am very single.

As with most images the imperfections make it interesting.. what were you aiming for? To me the image is one of relaxed intimacy and of being comfortable in your own skin.

OneTwoFiftieth

I personally disagree with the glasses shouldn't be on the face idea. I personally think that a nice pair of glasses on a female is very sexy. Combining that with the photo you took, I think it works well. I agree about using a more muted tone for the panties, and a form fitting bra, however with your size, I could see where that would be difficult. I would suggest no bra and hiding them creativly with blankets, pillows, sheets, your hands... something. The gap between the bra and the chest where the pad sits, is un-flattering. I think I would like to see the entire head in, and with the longer forehead, angling it differently so as to hide it a bit, or at least shorten the way it looks, because now it does look bald ish... Off to a great start. Hope to see some more results. You can more than do this with your D70... Keep shootin!

neil1980

I generally agree with what everyone else says about chopping the head off and none matching underwear...

Glasses I personally don't think are a problem at all (think sexy secretary type pictures - they have them) however I agree with the comment that it would be nice to see your eyes

chylegrus

Tdcompton wrote: »

I only have the D70s.. Shot this with the D2Xs..

YOu would be surprised what amzing work you can get out of the d70s I shoot with the same camera

Tdcompton

It's a decent camera and has done me a lot of good work...