I’m finally showing you how I take my self portraits!

I know it’s been a long time coming, and a lot of you have been asking for it. This is not going to be a tutorial, per se, but more of me just showing how I do it. I’m definitely not a professional in photography, or modelling, but I’ve been doing this, more or less, about ten years. I’m always learning more and trying to get better at creating the picture I have in my mind.

There are so many variables while taking pictures of one self. On top of the actual photography, I have the modelling part too. Posing, facial expression, perspective, getting a flattering light and making sure the hair and wardrobe work too. It is a challenge, but a fun one for me.

I did a really simple shoot this time, so that it would be easier for me to show you what goes on when I take my self portraits.

So here is a little behind the scenes timelapse from yesterday's A Fuckload of Unfiltered Self Portraits -post.

First I move around some furniture to get the background I want, and because of that, my apartment is always an absolute mess, though a creative one.

Then I get some initial pictures to test out the scene and camera settings. After that I do a little wardrobe change, which usually means taking clothes off, and start to really get in to the shooting part.

You can see me going back and forth, as the light keeps changing, so have to my settings. Sometimes it’s pretty frustrating, but I still prefer natural light and the full control of manual mode.

The other thing I have to keep checking on is the focus. I use auto-focus most of the time, but it often fails to focus on my little face! This older camera only has three focus points to choose from, and sometimes it is a bitch to try to get his attention! Gladly my new camera has 52 points to choose from.

DANCEBREAK!

And of course I have to keep checking if I'm getting any good pictures, overall!

Here is a helpful little trick I do all the time: I place a big mirror behind the camera, so I can see myself, and also see the camera screen to check that I’m placed in the frame like I want to be.

Tools of the trade

This time I utilized both of my cameras so I could show you everything that is going on. I used my old Nikon D60 with the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G lens to take the portraits, and the Nikon D7200 with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G to timelapse what’s going on. I had to run to the store to get another memory card, as I realized I only have one. And I never run, but it was Sunday afternoon and the store was about to close and I really wanted to get this done. Normally I use the D7200 with the 35mm lens, that is a killer combo in my opinion.

Along with my camera, my most important tools are the tripod and a remote control. I also sometimes use the Nikon WMU app as a remote, if I know I can hide my enormous iPhone 7 Plus somewhere in the picture. It is a slow and really shitty app, but it does allow me to fully control what is in the frame and to make sure the focus is where I want it to be.

The technical

I always shoot on manual mode, and there are three main things to know and control; shutter speed, aperture and ISO.
Most often I try to use the smallest f-stop, to get the most light and depth to my pictures. I also like to use a pretty slow shutter speed, so there is some movement left on the picture. It gives the pictures almost like a painted effect when there is little motion blur, for example in the hair. I hardly ever use manual focus, because I’m always moving and often use a low f-stop to get more depth to the pictures, so there is not much room for error in the focus department.

Find the light

Finding a good lighting is one of my main focuses on my photography. I get really inspired when I see some interesting light and shadows formed in my apartment, and I’ve pretty much mapped out where, what and when I have different types of light to shoot with. Like this afternoon light that is always very flattering, or the early morning light that you’ll see on tomorrows post. I hardly ever shoot on mid day, I find the light of the day to be pretty boring and too harsh. I prefer early mornings and late afternoons, long deep shadows and moody feelings, the softness of it.

I only use available light in my pictures. If there is no natural light, I just move around my lamps to get the desired effect, does that still count as available light? I never use a flash, that is not my style.

Woah,

this turned out to be a pretty long post, hope it de-mystified a little of my self portrait process. Of course there is still the whole matter of modelling, and post process, but those are for another day. Feel free to ask if there is still something you'd like to know about my self portrait photography.

PS. It was quite nerve-racking having two cameras clicking at me for an hour or so. Red carpet would not be for me..