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.

Put my WHAT in a sock???

 

This image was prompted by an unofficial campaign in the Uk to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK, a charity which in turn raises money, to research for cures, and treatments for all manner of different cancers.  The campaign encouraged women to post a selfie without wearing any makeup.  The campaign was a roaring success, going viral and raising over £1million in the first 24 hours alone.

A short-lived, and by far less successful attempt was made by men to join in by encouraging selfies with items of hosiery suspended from the a small, and specific part of their male anatomy.  The obvious good taste hash tag being #cockinasock.

Now, I'm a little risk averse, am not too body confident, and work in an environment where it might not be conducive to my continuing employment to emblazon the internet with images of my rather chubby, and pappy naked body with only a cotton sock to attempt to preserve what little dignity, and modest I might be able to retain.

Hence this image.  i hope it keeps in the spirit of the campaign, and if it makes people smile along the way, then I am content with it.

(incidentally I did do a reverse selfie with me completely 'made up', but my level headed wife persuaded me that I would have to be braver than brave to post it.  Maybe some large donations to Cancer Research UK might sway my decision!)

Blogger Labels: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/,donate,cockinasock,sock,cock,money,Cancer,Research,treatments,manner,cancers,women,makeup,hours,items,anatomy,environment,employment,cotton,wife,Maybe,donations,decision,selfie

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.