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.
