Self-Portrait, Week 18

I'm finding out, along with most other photographers, that weekly photo projects are harder to keep up with than you realize. I'm just going to say that my self-portrait project took a summer vacation. An extended one.

Well here's my feeble attempt to get back on track with my weekly self-portrait project. 52 weeks, 52 self-portraits. This one is #18. You can see my previous self-portraits here.

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Reflective

Thoughts:

I've been renting a fabulous lens (the Canon 50 mm 1.2) and have been shooting as much as possible. I realized it was as good a time as any to start up my self-portrait project again. This photo was taken by my back door at dusk. I had to turn on the overhead light because it was actually too dark already, but I like how the light made my highlights and layers in my hair stand out. (It also makes me happy because my hair is getting long again!) I really liked the colors in my dress, couch, and wall and decided to use my Totally Rad Pool Party Action to give them a more faded look. I also used a Totally Rad Dirty Pictures texture on the couch and wall.

I call this one "Reflective" because Sunday's sermon was rolling around in my head:

"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." {Colossians 4:5-6}

Self-Portraits, Weeks 14, 15, 16, & 17

I'm almost caught up on my self-portrait project. I'm so glad to have my wireless remote up and running again. It makes this project a whole lot easier!

Oh, and as always, you can see the photos larger and in more detail on my Facebook fan page.

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Chillin'

Thoughts:

I love my bedroom. It was the first room I completed when I purchased my house almost three years ago. I like my furniture. I like my turquoise wall color. I like my decor. I like my comforter set. I like the textures and the details and the shiny fabrics. It's just has "Jen" spelled out all over it. This picture is just of me chillin' on my bed. I read here. I write in my journal here. It's just a happy place.

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Vintage

Thoughts:

So I have to say that I think this may be one of my top three self-portraits of myself of all times. I love everything about it. I intentionally put my hair up for this picture because I rarely have any pictures of me with it up. I admit it... I've never liked having my hair up out of my face. And the reason is because it makes me feel like a chubby-faced boy. I would be one of those girls on America's Next Top Model who would have a bawl-fest if they shaved my hair off. It's a security blanket. And it makes me feel like a girl. But I love it up in this picture, and I guess I still sorta look like a girl??... Anyway, the processing on this one is what makes it so amazing. It's vintage and timeless and classic.

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Contentment

Thoughts:

I love to sleep. A lot. I'm pretty sure I can sleep anywhere. But I prefer my amazing bed with my queen-sized ultra-soft pillow top mattress. It's like sleeping on a cloud. A really fluffy, shiny cloud.

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Victorian

Thoughts:

So I really liked this picture although my face wasn't in focus on the original shot, so I had to a lot of sharpening and smoothing in post-processing. Then I got my eyes too bright for my liking. But after I looked at it again, I realized that I preferred it that way. It makes me think of a Victorian painting with overexaggerated bright and smooth facial features. Plus, my shirt kinda sorta looks Victorian, so boo-ya!

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Alrighty then... So I've talked way too much about myself on this post, which weirds me out a bit. But I might as well say a few more things while I'm at it...

I'll be singing some harmonies along with Kacey Dotson for the fabulous Lee Ellen Starks this weekend at the Springfield Artsfest (cross your fingers for better weather than we're having right now!). We'll be singing at the Coffeehouse Stage from 1:30-2:30 on Saturday and 4:00-5:00 on Sunday. This girl's got some pipes. Seriously. Check out her YouTube channel to hear some of the songs she'll be performing.

Hope to see you there!

Self-Portraits, Weeks 11, 12, & 13

I have a funny story. Remember the wireless remote for my camera that wasn't working? Well apparently, it needs a battery to "work." Yep. In my defense I had only used it once prior to it "breaking" so why would it need a new battery?

Anyway... here are a few more additions to my self-portrait project, inspired by the fabulous light coming through my bedroom window.

You can see the pictures larger on my Facebook fan page...

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Glow

Thoughts:

I was inspired by some photography I saw today that used a lot of texture applications. I thought the colors and the mood of this photo was a good way to incorporate some texture. I really love the rim lighting on my face from the window.

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Window

Thoughts:

The gold curtains in my bedroom catch the evening light in a really gorgeous way... I've been meaning to get some self-portraits by them, so that was today's challenge. I love the lighting and shadows on this one... Oh, and I like my hand on the curtain. Have I mentioned that I want to be a hand model?

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Shadows

Thoughts:

Again, I just really love the backlighting on this one.... I like how it makes my facial features stand out, and I like how the lighting emphasizes the texture of my hair.

Self-Portraits, Weeks 9 & 10

Yes, this is just one installment of my attempt to catch up on my self-portrait project!

In honor of the sun that just recently made its appearance, here's me and my shades...

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Summery

Thoughts:

I like the California-ish feel of this processing. I've never been to California, but I'm sure if I ever visit there, I will feel like this picture--blue and green and sunshine-y all over!

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Rock 'n Roll

Thoughts:

For this picture, I wanted the opposite of California... so I chose a grungy Detroit black and white with a little bit of grain...

Self-Portraits, Weeks 7 & 8

Just a little behind on my self-portrait project, so here are a few pix to catch me up...

Eyes Speak

Thoughts:

I like my eyes. They're a little bit o' green, a tad blue, somewhat golden... otherwise known as hazel... A little bit of every flavor. :) My favorite thing about my eyes is the yellow sunflowers I have around my pupils. Yep. I have flowery eyes. I never noticed until my eye doctor pointed it out a few years ago, and upon closer inspection, I do indeedy have some flowery goodness there. They make me feel unique. But even though I don't especially love sunflowers, I DO love me some orchids.. *hint hint, boys...*

Speaking of eyes, they're my favorite thing to photograph on a person, followed by eyelashes, curly ringlets, and smiles... in that order.

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Daydreaming

Thoughts:

I love to see pictures of people looking out windows... I always wonder what they're thinking. You'll see a lot of bridal shots in which the bride is looking out the window.. and of course, I always imagine she's picturing a new life with the man she loves...

Me, I guess I'm just daydreaming...

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Here's another outtake from today. I like how the focus is on my eyelashes and the fine details on my eyelid...

Self-Portrait, Week 6

80's Queen

Thoughts:

So I went to a Valentine's 80's-themed party at church. I instantly knew that I had to be a rocker chick. I mean, I am in my church's band, but you probably won't see me sporting this on Sunday morning...The huge star earrings, a load of jewelry, some bling-bling, leggings, a fun skirt, and some black pumps... and tons of makeup. The party was fun (and I did end up being the 80's Queen for evening... woot!)...

Just a few observations about the 80's in general...

*I would be broke from the amount of makeup that is required to achieve the 80's look.

*I would have to add an hour to my pre-bed routine to wash off the layers of the aforementioned makeup.

*My hair is too fine to be "big," and despite hair spray, hair gel and more hair spray, the "big" look was not effectively achieved. My hair would sadly be classified as an 80's failure.

and my last thought about the 80's

*People just plain looked scary. What were they thinking?!

Self-Portrait, Week 5

Classic

Thoughts:

I love black and white photos. They are classic and timeless. On this picture, my main focus was to capture my fabulous earrings. They are sparkly and dangly and elegant and just plain mahhvelous. And I don't know how it worked out the way it did, but I love the wispy strand of hair on the left... Yay for good hair!

Upcoming Adventures:

I'll be going on a photo walk with some other photographers this coming Sunday afternoon at Wickmans Gardens. Can't wait to finally get out of the house and shoot something interesting. Photos to be posted next week!

Self-Portrait, Week 4

Retro

Thoughts:

Tonite was my first time playing around with my new wireless remote shutter release. I'm definitely going to be addicted to that thing! I went flea-marketing this afternoon for some photog props for an upcoming shoot and was in the mood for a retro photo. 

I couldn't decide between the two, but ended up choosing the first as today's fave.

I'm getting extremely antsy to get outside taking photos again on a regular basis, but my under-construction website is begging for some attention. 

P.S. I apologize for no before & after last thursday, but I was out of state for a funeral. This week's shall be fabulous to make up for it!

Self-Portrait, Week 3

Curls

Thoughts:

I curled my hair this morning for church. Curly hair makes me feel really girly. I'm especially drawn to photographing little girls with curly hair. I adore their tiny ringlets and the softness that they bring to a little face. 

There's nothing too exciting about this week's portrait... Just wanted to use the natural lighting from my back door to highlight some features. And I wanted a camera angle that looked down, because I think my eyelashes are pretty long-and-luscious-challenged and I wanted to help them out a bit. Mission accomplished.  :)

Self-Portrait, Week 2

Praying for Haiti

Thoughts:

Just listening to the news while working on my self-portrait... I didn't really know where I was headed with this week's photo, but when I heard more news about the destruction in Haiti, I knew that I should do a reflective portrait using candlelight. I had more plans for this photo with some texture and other added effects, but apparently my laptop's hard drive is getting full again, so no fun stuff like that in Photoshop tonite, anyway. Maybe next time.

Self-Portrait, Week 1

One of my New Year's resolutions is to do a continuous photography project for 2010. I finally decided to do a 52-week self-portrait project... one self-portrait a week for a year. Not only is it a project that focuses on creative composition, but it will allow me to showcase what I am learning in post-processing and Photoshop.

Self-portraits are unique in that they force you to look at yourself from many different perspectives. In my pictures, you won't always be able to see my face, or my eyes, or my hands, but every photo will be a reflection of me... my moods, my views, my faith... everything that makes me Jen... one photo at  a time.

Here is my self-portrait for 2010: Week 1.

Thoughts: 

What better way to start off the new year than to celebrate God? The new life verse for my church in 2010 is Psalm 19:14. I memorized this verse back in college, and I loved how familiar the words were when Pastor Scott shared them with us. I decided to incorporate it into my first self-portrait... I wanted the words to appear where my mouth should be, to accentuate the essence of the verse.

And in case you're wondering... that's not a rug on my head... it's a fur hood. :)