365? Really

 Forgive me Universe for I have sinned.  It's been 8 months since my last post.  I have started another 365 Self portrait project again, so i will be posting a select here.   The last one I did almost killed my passion for photography.  I think this one will reignite it, especially in the current climate where we all need as much stimulation as possible to stave off cabin fever.  So here is a catch up of the first 20 days.  Please forgive me.

Half way Through, nearly, well sort of…

Ok tomorrow will see me completely over the midway part of the project in terms of time, but there is still the matter of the missing pictures, namely 54, and 74.  I feel fairly sure that I did not miss them, and they are languishing somewhere on one of the various computers I use.  I like to think they have bunked off, and are having a furtive ciggie whilst sneaking a look around the edge of a long forgotten spreadsheet to look out for pesky users, i.e. me.  If I cannot track them down I will have to retake a couple more photos to fill the gaps.  So you pesky pictures, if you don’t want to be replaced then you had better show up hadn’t you.

‘What about the other missing images’ ,I optimistically hope to hear the audience cry.  Well they are not missing, but are in a state of self imposed censorship.  There is nothing illegal, or morally reprehensible about them, but they are of a nature that I would prefer them to remain private until such time that I am either rich enough not to worry about upsetting my employers, or I am just plain brave enough to cock a snoot to society and say, sometimes I look like this OK?

So here’s to another 182 days of me.  Hurrah!

This image from my 365 Self Portrait project was inspired by propaganda posters from the USSR.  I had in mind doing something akin to this with some friends, but I thought I would try it out myself first.  I really like this for a number of reasons.  Firstly,apart from re-sizing, and saving to a different format, it was all done in camera.  I really wanted to capture the blue sky and clouds, whilst keeping my face reasonable well exposed.  I had toyed with the idea of using some neutral density filters, but I wanted my face to be against the sky, so that wouldn't have really worked without some post processing work.  The technique I went with was to use the on-camera flash.I slightly raised the flash compensation hoping to win the battle with the sun.  The feel of the picture is one of a studio portrait against, or with a superimposed background with the subject, i.e. me, being almost outlined by a shadow.  Another reason I like this picture is that I'm not looking my best.  I love portraits, although not exclusively, that show something of the character of the subject, and not just a record of how well they scrub up.

I am definitely over the halfway mark numerically, although I am still missing a number 74, and still have today's contribution to create.  With 171 images still to create there is a long way to go.  Having a sometimes hectic family life, and bouts of self doubt makes it difficult to find the will to continue on occasion.  This is why there is often a glut on uploads after a period of nothing.Despite this not adhering to the accepted nature of this project I fully intend to have a complete portfolio of 365 self portraits by the time the new year has been rung in.

Out in the fields…

I like where we live and work.  It's not too rural so you have to drive a long way to get to civilisation, and yet close enough to the country side that you can get out and about away from the built up suburbs in a few minutes.  Since I got my new tripod for my birthday this year I have been out every lunch time bar a very few times, getting fresh air, and looking for opportunities to get my camera out.  Sometimes I come back with nothing, sometimes the results are a bit questionable, but the important thing is that I enjoy it.  It excites me, and I think that if your hobby's and interests still do that then it's all worth while.

Today I really needed to catch up on the self portrait project so headed out to the fields near my place of work.  As it was warm and the sun was still making an appearance it was refreshing not to have to wear a coat.  I decided on a straight, everyday portrait rather than one of my more wacky pieces.  I put the on camera flash on, and hoped for some catch lights in my eyes, and an even light over my face.  It's not the best portrait in the world of course, but it kind of reflects me, and my easy going, laid back demeanour.

Catch up

So I haven’t added much here lately.  I have been mainly focusing on my 365 project.  Things I have learnt.

1) A tripod is a very useful and important tool.  I was fortunate to recieve a lovely Benro model from Jane for my birthday.  It is much lighter, and easier to use than my previous one which I think was built from leftover from building the Forth Bridge.  The new one is easy to use, and has a handy carry case.   It is so great I have taken it to work with me nearly every day since I got it.  Consequently there are many more outdoor photos in my project.

2) I am not great at studio lighting.  I don’t like umbrellas for light modifiers, and if I could justify it I would buy some more softboxes.  Unfortunately this would mean buying new strobes too.  Much as I’d love a super new setup I just can’t spend that sort of cash on a hobby until the current ones die.

3) I like getting into character, dressing up, and painting my face.

Aside from this project I have done a couple of other things.  I was lucky enough to get tickets to a secret gig by Chrissie Hynde prior to the launch of her solo album.  Although the promoters didn’t want me to photograph her I did shoot the support bands.  Sadly my camera seemed to operate itself in the crush of the crown, and take several photos of Chrissie Hynde’s groin.  Although this one was more appropriate.

I have even got off my arse, and got out on a photo walk one sunny sunday morning.  I haven’t done this for ages, so it was a refreshing change.  Nothing too stunning, but it’s always good to get out and about.

42 of 365 Shattered

42 of 365 Shattered
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

This started as a desperate experiment to keep up to date without adding too many vanilla portraits. We live on a very busy road, and from time to time a wing mirror will get clipped by speeding cars. This image was created using a damaged mirror discarded in the gutter outside our home. I clamped it, and after some experimentation using Mr. Fluffy, my faithful stuffed assistant, for focusing, I settled on this image to post. The lighting was a single source through a soft-box. The positioning was a little tricky as I didn't want the flash to spill onto the mirror.
I like the way the distortion on the backing has split my face into the wrong order.

38 of 365

38 of 365
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

Yes I do sometimes have weird ideas spawned from the most innocent of events, this one, or rather the original one (see flickr) was triggered unwrapping a wiifit board I had ordered for my wife. It must have been the tactile feel of the bubble wrap, and the slick, dark shininess of the black plastic wrap that fired up my imagination!

34 of 365 Ofspect

34 of 365 Ofspect
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

Our school recently had an ofsted inspection. This led me to a train of thought about who inspects the inspectors. So OfSpect was born. This is a bit of a cheat, as the original image is two inspectors. However I don't think the world is ready for a composite of me in drag at the moment so just the drab me for the time being ;)

28 of 365 I'd forget my head if it....

28 of 365 I'd forget my head if it....
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

A nice idea poorly executed. Still it was fun to do. No light bulbs were harmed during the making of this image

26 of 365 Wascally Wabbit

26 of 365 Wascally Wabbit
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

Bad bunny. Inspired by the pixar short. I happened to be wearing my tux after leaving a party early. I grabbed the opportunity to snap a little scene. Hop(e) ya like it!

23 of 365 Life thru a lens

23 of 365 Life thru a lens
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

This is a composite, however only to get both the inverted me, and the frame of the little lens nearly in focus.

This sweet little piece of glass came from dead projector. Have you ever dismantled one of those? Loads of great little trinkets in them.

22 of 365 If You Want To Get Ahead....

22 of 365 If You Want To Get Ahead....
Originally uploaded by Rob Johnstone

The 365 project has it's ups and downs. i often get behind in the project. My ideas dry up, my energy saps, sometimes I just can't be arsed. So not a photo a day, but more like 365 portraits sort of squeezed into a year, mostly trying to do one a day.

This one was a rushed one, well aren't they all. If I had taken more care I would have arranged the hats better. I can't believe we have so many hats to be honest. I am particularly taken with the little tequila hat.

Oh No! Not another 365 project?

Oh No! Not another 365 project?, a set on Flickr.

So against all my previous reservations I have decided to do one of those blasted 365 projects. Now let's just say to begin with. I haven't stuck with it. There have been a occasions even at this early stage where I have missed a day. This is usually because, well to be honest and truthful, I've been too tired to fight my laziness, and inertia to do one. I have, in my defence caught up the next day. Why am I doing it? Because it's there! Also I tend to need a goal to aim for, or a framework to adhere to. I want to do more photography. I see this is a way of feeding that hunger. Whilst I have not set a formal theme for this project, I do seem to have fallen into doing selfies. This is a rather dubious term that I always find hints at intimate self indulgence. Well perhaps self portraits fit that description. As with a lot of creative endeavors some days are easier than others for coming up with ideas, and then executing them. Some start with just a germ of an idea that may or not work such as the tequila bottle one, and others turn out pretty much as envisiaged, like the Alice Cooper homage. Some are obviously just straight forward, some reflect a mood for the day. I hope to keep it up for the whole year, although I'm sure people will get fed up with seeing my fizzog by about 31st Jan, I know I will! Here's to a year of exploring what I can do with my image. I welcome comments, critiques, ideas etc here and on my flickr stream. Don't worry, it'll soon be Christmas!