So I’ve never been asked why I take that many selfies, but I’m sure a whole lot of you guys would love to know. This blog is to clarify this fact: I don’t love my own face, I don’t like looking at myself in the mirror the entire day and I’m not a narcissist. Not. Then why do I take that many pictures of myself, is what you ask. Well, like the rest of the things that I don’t or don’t do, this unusual amount of self portraits has a philosophy. I do happen to think about things, but you might have noticed that (:
I find it important that a photographer is an all-round photographer. That means that I don’t just shoot buildings or flowers, but that I also should be capable of taking good pictures of the people around me. But where buildings and grass will always be patiently awaiting your visit, good models are hard to find. And when you find one, it’s still not easy. You want to keep on practicing so therefore you take tons of shots. Models, on the other hand, have had enough after about 50 shots and then start finding it creepy when you come that close with a camera.
So basically you will never be able to get good practice when you don’t have tons of models waiting in line. But there’s one model that will always be patient and understanding – you. You are your own best model. You can wait, you can do exactly what you want and you will never get tired of that camera in your face. So you can practice everything on yourself infinitely!
But some say that after five photos of yourself you have seen enough – you need diversity and variety. And that’s how every selfportrait turns into another challenge. You are forced to come up with different ideas, colours, techniques, light and perspectives. And that’s another reason why selfportraits are such a good way of practicing your portrait skills: you have to be innovative and refreshing. You have to find that other way of light, that different perspective or composition – you are forced to.
And I find that challenge quite interesting. I love trying to be original and new. I love showing different sides of me, I love discovering new techniques and perspectives. So therefore one of my biggest passions is making photos of me, myself and I. I spent the afternoon with guitars, keyboards and christmaslights – seeking for some new inspiration. They turned out cool, but it’s this one that I liked the most. No, the perspective isn’t really original but I fell for the colours, that warm feeling that you don’t see that often. So, it’s new and different from the other selfies that I’ve made.
So if you’re an amateur photographer like me and dying to get some good potrait-practice: try yourself. Try to be innovative, new and inspiring – I want to see your smiles! (:
