it's all about me....

I haven't participated over at GPP Street for awhile - I forgot about the site.  (I seriously need some sort of master challenge list to keep them all straight! :))  Anyway, this month the prompt is to get out from behind the camera and be IN the photos.  So I did.

I'm not overly shy about being photographed, but I definitely have a few issues (no profiles, no non-smiles {I just look too sad/grim}, no shots of the backside!, etc).  So, with those constraints, I got in front of the camera today and took about a gazillion pics to come up with some that would be acceptable to share.  Plus I found a couple from earlier in the month (see I'm no stranger to be IN the shot :)

the original

For the first time I tried some of the PSE actions that I've picked up here and there and never used, never even tried.  The light through the window was odd and created very soft photos, so the actions improved the look I thought (though not the subject, ha).  No, my glasses aren't scratched, just very reflective (think it's my dining chairs).

Here I desaturated the color then added a colorize filter to put a little back in.

I'm a little out of focus here because I was so busy cracking myself up!  I'd been making some silly faces to try to loosen up and made myself laugh.  Used a little action processing here too.

Not all self portraits have to be face shots.  Here I blended a couple of shots to get me all woven together on the sofa.  Another session that took LOTS of shots to get those legs in the right position to blend....

I published this one a couple weeks ago when playing with textures and you can read about the process here.

SOOC (obviously)

Finally, another outtake photo from a few months ago.  Goofy, huh?  (that's a tablecloth for my backdrop and I'm crouched in front of my living room window for natural light)

Okay, that's enough of me; now how about you?  We photo ladies/moms/grandmas often spend all our time behind the lens because we want to capture all the fun and our favorite people enjoying themselves.  However, sometimes it's good to get in FRONT of the camera for a new perspective.  

If you don't want to have a "session" with someone else taking the shots, use a remote shutter release for really easy selfies.  I got mine for about $10 on Amazon and I have to say it's my favorite accessory - I use it for still lifes and anything with a little longer exposure.  If you don't have one, that would be a great gift to request.

So, go for it.  Be proud.  Be adventurous.  Be a camera hog.  Let's see your best/goofy/sad/happy side!  Then link to GPP Street during the month of December.