Picture Inspiration, Week 1
Saturday, February 26, 2011 Much to Elise's dismay, I'm happy to report that I have picked up another online photography workshop. Perhaps you remember my posts on the Picture Winter workshop in which I shot images for the 31 days of January? (You can see my posts from that series here). Our leader from that class, Tracey Clark, founder of Shutter Sisters, has just started a new workshop/community called Picture Inspiration over at Big Picture Classes. I've signed up and will be blogging about the story behind my submissions for each of the 52 weekly prompts. (Forgive me in advance if I should miss one or two!)
WEEK 1: It's All About You
This week was the first prompt which directed us to start the series with self-portraits in order to document ourselves ras we begin this adventure. Like many others, I am rarely in photos because, as the family photographer, I am usually behind the camera, not in front of it. Not to mention, any time I am in front of the camera, I almost always hate the result. So this prompt was a real challenge for me for two reasons: (1) I really didn't want to be the front & center subject of a picture and (2) I was new to the mechanics of taking a self-portrait including using the tripod and timer. I was tempted to hide behind the camera as I had seen many other self-portraits done. Or to make it very blurry and weakly claim "it's the world as I see it" as a nod to my horrible eyesight. But that is not the purpose of these prompts nor is it in the spirit of this community. As Tracey lists in the class creed (yes, we have one of those): "I will take creative risks" and "I will release judgement and self-doubt."
So here's me, putting myself front and center, filling the frame. I can't say I love the photo -- it's a little hard for me to look at it for too long -- but I can appreciate its core elements (composition, lighting, focus, processessing). Hope you can, too.
As an aside, it was my own little witty nod to myself to take my self-portrait in this particular place. You see, it's the one area of the house that I use as my "studio". Most of the time, it's a sideboard littered with the minutiae of life. But on occasion it gets to serve a higher purpose as I push all the clutter aside and use the newly clean area as my blank slate for staged photos. (Witness the forks.) I suppose if this spot is good enough for my photos of other things, it must be good enough for me!
Can't wait to see what other photographic goodness is in store? Neither can I! Come back next week to see for yourself!
UPDATE: Hmm. Somehow in the editing process I managed to remove the section on One Little Word | Captured. I did mean to mention that this was also serving as my post for week 9 of the photo challenge.
Photography | tagged Mae, One Little Word, Picture Inspiration, captured, progress
Reader Comments (7)
I just hopped over from your first week photo. Glad I did. I'm subscribing to your blog. I'll also be hitting BlogHer '11. My everyday blog is what most people know me by.
Looking forward to reading and seeing your photos this year!
Hi Mae,
I too came to your blog from the Picture Inspiration class. I join the class because I've been in need of inspiration. It's starting to work. I was intrigued with your self portrait and found myself inspired by you. I feel the same as you, I'd rather be behind the camera. I have yet to post mine. I think your self portrait is beautiful!
Nice to read the story behind the Picture Inspiration photo. I'll be doing the same on my blog as we go along. I think it's going to be a great year of creativity and connections.
thanks so much for the comments and for taking the time to read more about my photos this week. i'm looking forward to following along with everyone's blogs as the year progresses!
Hi Mae. Thanks for popping by my blog! You asked about Unravelling. I loved it. It was seriously one of the best things I've ever done for myself. The "exercises" were really great and the community was beyond amazing. I know that some people didn't think that the photography component was as emphasized as they would have liked - you get one photo prompt each week and post up to 4 photos to the group pool. I haven't taken any other online courses (though I'd like to do Mondo Beyondo, I think) so I can't compare it but for me Unravelling was a great experience and Susannah Conway is just lovely. I'm looking very forward to #2.
Looking forward as well to seeing you around Picture Inspirations.
-deb
Good luck with your new photo challenge. You did well getting a self portrait, I am so bad at that! I've been enjoying your One Little Word Captured photos as well. Loving that challenge.
Lisa xx
I've been debating whether or not to join Picture Inspiration. I have enjoyed all of Tracey's classes. Great self portrait. Thanks for linking up :)