Photographer's Comment: Gary inspired me to do a self portrait, needed a shot of myself anyway. One light setup, no umbrella, no softbox. Light was above me pointed down and appx 45 degrees from me. Also set up a mirror next to the camera so I could see the light pattern on my face.

Tags: self portrait dir light

Viewer Comments:

By LindaJames (2008-02-08 18:22:40 ): This is so strong and well done. You're certainly an expert with light and portraiture.

By KBittancourt (2008-02-08 16:15:34 ): Very well done! Good texture. - Ken

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 16:05:24 ): Thanks Mary Lou, appreciate the clarification on the 3/4. I should have know that. Glad you like it and welcome to PWS.

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 16:04:14 ): Thanks for noticing the Renissance feel Carlos, wasn't sure I was succesful with that. Carl

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 16:02:19 ): Thanks Todd!

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 16:00:53 ): Thanks Katia!

By Maryloujohnson (2008-02-08 15:49:40 ): Hi Carl, Great self portrait! Your 3/4 portrait means 3/4 view of your face which means both eyes are included with just a little face showing on the outside of the far eye but not head on which would be a full face portrait. I'm new to this site and it looks like fun! Keep up your great work. I like the striking serious pose! Lots of character to it. Mary Lou

By twadams (2008-02-08 15:19:16 ): GREAT JOB !

By karmal (2008-02-08 13:35:59 ): Hi Carl. The intense gaze make this image powerful. But what moves me is that it also have a "Renaissance" feel in it. Carlos

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 13:32:07 ): Thanks Janith!

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 13:31:23 ): Thanks Diana!

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 13:30:44 ): Thanks Dorothy!

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 13:29:56 ): Thanks Jan!

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 13:29:34 ): Thanks Dawn!

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 13:28:32 ): Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Karen!

By ktapio (2008-02-08 06:42:11 ): In one image you answered all the questions I have ben struggling with a self portrait. All I would like to add here is thanks for the handsome picture and all the knowledge you shared. katia :)

By maureenyoung52 (2008-02-08 05:18:24 ): YEA!!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. You will love it to, trust me.

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 05:02:29 ): LoL, well if it helps you just made me do what you asked for in the image Maureen! :) I think it's a guy thing - the serious look. Tell ya what, next one will have a smile.

By orchid (2008-02-08 05:02:06 ): That was smart to set up a mirror.

By orchid (2008-02-08 04:50:38 ): Hi Carl,thanks for the warm welcome. I plan to have my first assignment uploaded by the morning. This is fun. Thanks for the focus tip.

By maureenyoung52 (2008-02-08 03:33:43 ): Love the lighting and the glance back at the camera, but (there's always a but) I would really LOVE it if you weren't soooo serious. Just an ever so slight smile with just a little humor in the eyes and this would be an absolutely FABULOUS portrait. Just my opinion.

By smokeydawg (2008-02-08 00:49:00 ): Hi Allyson, Thanks. I put a box where I was going to sit and just pre focused on that then switched to manual focus so it wouldn't try to refocus when I pushed the timer. Welcome to PWS!

By janith (2008-02-08 00:45:43 ): I enjoy the contrast between the beard and the headscarf.

By orchid (2008-02-08 00:42:47 ): Really high quality portrait. How did you get the focus so crisp for a self-portrait? Did you have an assistant help you?

By dianasanzone (2008-02-08 00:21:37 ): I have little to add to what the others have said. It's a dramatic self-portrait that keeps me locked into the gaze. Glad to see what you look like, too.

By smokeydawg (2008-02-07 22:45:30 ): Hey Atle, figured it was about time to do a self portrait and let people see what I look like. It was a studio flash, Alien Bee 400 with just the reflector that came with it.

By smokeydawg (2008-02-07 22:43:31 ): Wow, thanks for the kind words Robyn, Your comments are always much apreciated. LoL, not sure about the hansome part, but thanks! :)

By smokeydawg (2008-02-07 22:35:40 ): Hi Lynn, thanks for the kind words. Technically this is called "short" lighting where just the face is in light, hence the name short. Another name is "Rembrandt" lighting. Im sure there are a few other names for it also. Usually people use a fill light or reflector in conjunction to give some detail to the darker side of the face, but I hate my ears so opted out of that! :) The signature for this type lighting is the light triangle on the dark side of the face. I'm not sure on the 3/4 but I'm taking that to mean the shot would be cut off at the knees, half shot would be waist etc. But I wouldn't swear to that being right.

By Atle (2008-02-07 22:31:03 ): Hi Carl, good to see you! Nice lighting, guess you have used a studio flash? Like the way your face grows out from the dark and the sepia suits the image. Well done! ☺

By lynnrider (2008-02-07 22:21:08 ): Very nicely done Carl! The lighting is terrific - just enough to capture the shadow detail. Is this technically a 3/4 view? (I'm not sure of the tech terms for portraiture) Great idea to use the mirror:) Lynn

By whitewavesPTP (2008-02-07 21:38:23 ): I like the way part of the face is dark, it adds such drama. Great self portrait.

By Isachsen (2008-02-07 20:03:42 ): Carl, you don't scare me (grin). Okay, now from joke to revolver - this is such a wonderful self portrait in all ways possible. Great job!

By dawnschubert (2008-02-07 17:35:51 ): Hi Carl, what a great portrait. I am not sure what it's called but I like how your face is partially lit by the soft light. Great compostion too. I like it a lot-Dawn

By carney (2008-02-07 17:08:14 ): I really love this Carl. I love the way you are looking back into the light. You now have a super portrait of yourself and you have nailed the assignment, too. The lighting is so good. Thanks for including your setup instructions.

By photomato (2008-02-07 16:53:48 ): Hey Carl, this is a great portrait. Directional light really adds drama to that handsome, rugged mug of yours....! Comp is well seen placing yourself to the right and looking into the frame. Wonderful!

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