SELF PORTRAIT

INTRODUCTION:
“A self-portrait is a representation of an artist, drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by the artist.”

Your assignment is the process and discovery of yourself through your representation of a self portrait. Photographing people can become difficult, but one of your most difficult subjects to capture could be yourself! We all have a vision of ourselves that we create, but when we are forced to face ourselves, we shy away. But the self portrait can also reveal something about ourselves, or allow us to express ourselves, discovery ourselves, or look at issues or things that we are dealing with, and we can also have some fun with it.

Photographing your reflection in a mirror or something reflective is a simple and easy way to create your self-portrait. You usually get the camera in the picture or on your face, unless the camera is a part of you, I do not recommend this method. You have the option to include yourself or elements or aspects of your life that describe who you are. I would suggest pick a couple of things, do not make this a documentation of things you like.

You can also set you the camera on a tripod to photograph yourself in a location. Set up the scene how you want(you sitting at your desk, in your favorite chair, whatever) Get a proper exposure, compose the scene, and focus where you will be. Hit the shutter to begin the timer, then run like heck to get back in place(or use your remote to trigger the shutter!) You can put a mirror in behind the camera to help pose yourself as well. You can also photograph your shadow, or parts of your body. You can make goofy faces, or dress up as someone else.

You can also take a deeper meaning into your self portrait.

Look at the work of Lorna Simpson, Cindy Sherman and Sarajevo, Self-Portrait, The view from Inside.

HOMEWORK:
Research the work of Lorna Simpson and Cindy Sherman.

OBJECTIVES:
Elements of Art
Design Principles
Associate your work to other photographers such as Lorna Simpson.


WHAT TO DO:
You will analyze the lighting environment. Use 100 or 400 ISO depending on your lightning. Use natural lighting. Meter for your 18% gray. I have gray cards you can check out. If you shoot indoors, have adequate lightning, (regular house lamps will not work) and use a tripod. If you have a long cable release will be useful, but self timer works just as well.

Keep in mind your elements of art and design principles.

Don’t forget this is a discovery about yourself! Don’t be shy!

WHAT TO turn in:
Turn in ONE roll of 36 exposures.
Make contact sheet and discuss them with other students and teacher. Bounce around some ideas. When you turn in your contact sheets make sure you have selected a minimum of 5 images.
Print FIVE 8x10 images