Self Portraits and Portraits pt. 1

Alter Your Perspective: Most portraits are taken with the camera at (or around) the eye level of the subject. While this is good common sense – completely changing the angle that you shoot from can give your portrait a real WOW factor.

Experiment with Subject Expressions: In some portraits it is the expression on the face of your subject that makes the image. Get your subject to experiment with different moods and emotions in your image. Play with extreme emotions, but also try more sombre or serious type shots.

Mirror effect: A mirror or some other reflective surface offers an even easier way to take a self-portrait. In most cases, the camera will be included in the scene (but this can help make a statement about your enthusiasm for photography). You can use your camera as a prop, and hold it away from your face. When you photograph into a mirror, be sure your reflection is in focus. An infrared autofocusing system will usually focus on glass if it's aimed into a mirror, and will focus at infinity if aimed at an angle. You might try focusing at an object that's the same distance as the distance from the camera to the reflection, lock in the focus, recompose the image to include yourself, and take the picture.

ENVIRONMENTAL SELF PORTRAIT-

I chose this photo because the focus is on the man, but you still know what
kind of environment and place he is in because of the background.
I really like this photo because the sparks flying in the background really add to the uniqueness of the photo.

I chose this photo because it is taken from a perspective most wouldn't do.
You can tell its a basketball court because of the hoop, the balls, and the flooring.
I like this photo because the photographer "broke/bent" the rules of photography.

PHOTOGRAPHY SELF PORTRAIT-

I chose this photo because the editing skills are very good and the photo is just good in general.
I like this photo because of the whole concept of shooting through her head, but only glitter coming out the other side.
I think it is very creative and different.

This photo really stood out to me because it is using a photography tip that I was talking about earlier.
Using reflection. Mirrors, glasses, etc. I really like this photo because it is very different and a well done self portrait.

CASUAL SELF PORTRAIT-

This photo is an example of a casual self portrait because it's not necessarily posed.
There isn't a lot of thought or many rules being thought of or placed in the photo making it very casual.
I like this photo because the girl is smiling really beautifully and the focus is on her, but you can see the whole area around her. 

The woman's focus isn't straight at the camera, making it more of a candid.
There isn't a lot going on in this photo, it is just a simple photo of Marilyn Monroe.

I am not sure quite yet what I want to do for my self-portrait, but I know that I really want to do make it look really good. I am thinking maybe shooting in a big warehouse with lots of open space and run down looking for an "airy" kind of picture, if that makes sense. I know for a fact I want to play around with angles and bending different rules because that really makes a photo stand out, and that is what I am going for.