Practice Selfie

[AlexR!]

As I have mentioned in other threads, portraiture and flash are both black arts to me that I'd like to improve on. As a start I have been working my way through Syl Arena's Speedliter's Handbook.
I only have one Speedlite and no studio setup of any kind, so bear with me. This is my first effort, and I thought it best to practice on myself first (Mrs R would like my touch-up technique (oo-er missus, fnarr fnarr) to be much improved before she submits herself to my efforts).
So, setup was camera on tripod, fired by remote. Speedlite slave with diffuser to my left just above eye level, camera flash off but acting as master, and a sheet of white A4 paper in my right hand to reflect some light onto my right side. Room curtains left partially open behind camera to create catchlight.


Selfie by AlexR!, on Flickr
EOS 7D, EF 50mm
0.3sec, f/5.6, 50mm, ISO 200, 0EV

I was moderately pleased with the results, but grateful for any comments to help me improve.

[colin C]

Re: Practice Selfie

The lighting itself is good and shows just how effective a single flash, off camera and a reflector can be. The ¾ pose works well, but you are looking to the left of the camera ........... direct eye contact would have been better.

Big pat on the back for a first effort.

[Cyberman]

Re: Practice Selfie

To me that looks pretty good, but I am no portrait expert.
Setup sounds ok, I got a Lastolite Ezybox for my Speedlite last week, should be good for this type of image.
Will have to try a selfie sometime, in fact I am supposed to be doing one for camera club sometime.

[AlexR!]

Re: Practice Selfie

but you are looking to the left of the camera ........... direct eye contact would have been better.

Colin, thanks. Yes, I am aren't I? Hadn't noticed. You just can't get a decent class of model nowadays...

Andy, thanks. This has given me a bit of a taste for it, and an Ezybox would be a next good step for me. Perhaps after a second Speedlite. Oh, and some gels. Oh dear, I've found more stuff to spend my money on...

[Stan]

Re: Practice Selfie

Very good subject to Colins comment about eye contact

Stan

[Alan_H]

Re: Practice Selfie

Very good exposure and focus, I hate being the wrong side of a camera and there is no way i would do a selfie

Alan

[AndyA]

Re: Practice Selfie

Well done Alex, that's a very clear image.

[rcarca]

Re: Practice Selfie

Oh, and some gels.

I assume that is a soft "g" rather than a horse'n'county hard "g"...

I think that is pretty darn good, noting Colin's comment. Bloody difficult doing a selfie with remote control, flash, paper and all the other paraphernalia AND to remember to look at the blooming camera!!!

I also have the "book", but have yet to make my way very far through it!!! Bedtime reading, but I am always too tired...

Good stuff!

Richard

[Muscat]

Re: Practice Selfie

That is a great first attempt, very well done

[DeeGee]

Re: Practice Selfie

Excellent first attempt.

[tesarver]

Re: Practice Selfie

Nice 1st attempt Alex, can't add anything that Colin didn't cover.

Tom

[AlexR!]

Re: Practice Selfie

Thanks everyone (guys and gels ) for your positive comments. I'll be practicing a bit more over the next few weeks, before I am confident enough to be let loose on anyone other than myself.

[Nathaniel]

Re: Practice Selfie

Echo comments of other members. A very good effort. We also now know how you really look like- quite different from your avator.