12/12/11

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.






15 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:33 PM

    Terrie - you are a gem! Love seeing you here. Great photos, beautiful and natural - they each tell a different story of you. Thank you for taking on the challenge and sharing your perspective about getting in FRONT of the camera. You look lovely and you motivate the rest of us to DO IT. Thanks for sharing with the team!!

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  2. Great self portraits, Terrie! I just don't look good on photos so I don't even try anymore. :)

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  3. These photos are wonderful! I loved reading about your process, too. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  4. You are one beautiful lady...I love that second to last shot...just gorgeous!

    Kathy

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  5. You should get in front of the camera more often - you have such a fun and playful personality in these photos!

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  6. Terrific photographs, loving them all. Annette x

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  7. Anonymous12:02 PM

    LOVE LOVE LOVE these!!

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  8. Gorgeous photos! Well done! Love the two with red.

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  9. Loved seeing your photos. I'm going to try, if I can get on the other side of mine.

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  10. These photos are beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us. Love the one on the texture background!

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  11. These are some beautiful portraits, one can tell you are a photographer and enjoy taking photos and playing with them. thanks for sharing!

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  12. Lots of fun! Great pics!

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  13. Fabulous photos! Love how you added you to photos of you-that is such fun!

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  14. Anonymous12:34 AM

    Wow - some of these are very cool. Love the red sock portrait. Now, when do we get to see your backside? ;-)

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  15. Hi Terri, I did pop over to your blog earlier in crusade but forgot to leave a message...how rude! Love the photos and what you've done with them. Thanks for the lovely comments about my crusade pics. Happy New Year and I hope it's filled with lots of time for creativity.

    Cheers,

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