Show off your self-portraits/Your proudest portrait moments

I always love seeing what innovative photographers do with their self-portraits. I never see one that has that stereotypical "picture perfect" standard. I always find there's something captivating about the self-portraits... maybe because when you are your own subject, you don't have any standards to live up to but your own.

Have any of you tried for artsy self portraits? Post them here and tell me what makes them special to you!

Here's my favourite self-portrait:



The reason I like this one so much is because nothing about it is fake. I play around a lot with different photo ideas using myself when I don't have any other models/subjects around, but I always put a lot of thought and effort into preparing for the photos (makeup and hair and getting my angles right, trying to find something flattering.)
This photo is as natural as you could ever see me... I don't have makeup on, I left my hair curly (the horror!) I left my glasses on (which I only ever take off to take a photo) and I left the flaws in my skin where they stand.
I actually took this photo during an emotional breakdown I had over the summer, and I certainly didn't plan to take any photos that day. I simply looked in the mirror and was miraculously able to acknowledge how beautiful I looked even though I was a mess, I had been lying around in bed for the past few days, and I had just been crying (an annual occurrence for me, at best.)
For the simple fact that even in my strongest moments I have a hard time feeling good about myself, I figured a portrait was in order. This photo took a total of about 5 minutes to set up, take, and edit, and it's the one self-portrait that I value the most.

Aside from self-portraits, are there any portraits you have taken that hold a lot of emotional value to you?

That is an outstanding self portrait Tess, it has a truthfulness about it. Well done.

I don't have a favorite selfie yet, but I have taken a portrait or two that mean a lot to me. This is a portrait of my brother, Bob. He loves working with young people and teaching them leadership skills as well as sports, so becoming a high school teacher and basketball coach really wasn't a stretch for him.

This shot was taken after the final second ticked off the clock for his team's first state championship, a goal that had eluded him for 15 years was now realized.

This is my self portrait. The items shown represent my multifaceted life.

I wanted a little creativity on this shot and needed a selfie for a project in another group.

Current favorite SP, taken the same day as my avatar shot.

Awesome shots!! I love to see the backgrounds behind peoples' work

Chasrich, I love it!
I've seen lots of people do things like this:


But you see it so often, it's nice to find a fresh take on it x)

PS: Rob, is that a film camera, or a DSLR?? And what's the origin of that stethoscope? Has medicine been part of your line of work, or does it allude to hockey injuries?

I was a Registered Nurse in my first life, I began in Photography with film as a child so the early film camera is representative of that. I shoot Pro hockey for an international magazine now hence the pucks and stick. The stethoscope, tourniquet and hemodialysis clamps represent what I did for the majority of my time in Nursing.

Rob pix4u2 wrote: I was a Registered Nurse in my first life, I began in Photography with film as a child so the early film camera is representative of that. I shoot Pro hockey for an international magazine now hence the pucks and stick. The stethoscope, tourniquet and hemodialysis clamps represent what I did for the majority of my time in Nursing.

Very neat! Cool to hear a bit of your background Do you still use that camera?

Yes I do still use the camera for film shooting. It is a Nikon FE body with an MD 12 motor drive and an SB 16 speedlight with a Quantum battery 1 power source.

Here are 2 recent ones from me. Same session just different lighting. My self portraits are seldom me but are alter egos or persons.

Is that a cuckoo I hear...... Ned.

Leilanee, Its a great shot and so natural.
Cheers
Ned

Still not sure about the guy in the glasses, editor in chief you say? Watch him Chas!

Nice one Gary, is this the good or bad side? both my sides are loony.

I read this recently and reckon your best side is shown.

earthsky.org/human-world/which-side-of-y...e-left-research-says

Cheers
Ned

Good to see you are active Rob, my nurse keeps trying to up the meds but i keep em under my tongue till she's gone.

nedward50 wrote: Nice one Gary, is this the good or bad side?
I read this recently and reckon your best side is shown.

Yes, that's my left side, as shown. My mother-in-law does not like that shot; says I look mean. A buddy said I looked like an MMA fighter.

"Best" is left to others to decide