If there's one subject you're always going to have access to, it's you. Here are three great ideas that can work as templates or inspiration for some self-portraits to try.
I know which side of the camera I prefer to be and I do my best to make sure I'm on it. That said, I live alone, I've been stuck on my own for 3 weeks with no obvious end in sight, and I miss doing portraiture. When I first started photography and I didn't have the confidence to rope people in for me to practice my portrait work, I spent a lot of time taking self-portraits. To the best of my knowledge, I didn't publish any anywhere, but they were useful nonetheless.
In fact, I'd go as far as to say that self-portraits are crucial in the early stages for figuring a lot of things out in a relaxing environment. Even the most patient partner or family member isn't going to want to sit still while you make myriad micro adjustments to lights and settings. However, once I started shooting other people, I stopped shooting myself, and that's a shame. Many photographers I enjoy still shoot as many superb self-portraits now as they did years ago and I think it's time I bite the bullet and dive back in. Our writer Anete Lusina has recently written on this very topic.
Do you take self-portraits? What advice can you offer?
I prefer self-portrait photography to any other type.
I suffer from major depression after a brain operation. I deal with suicide thoughts by safely enacting and photographing it in my tiny studio.