Self portrait at the fire

carguy

Senior Member
Took my first self portrait this past weekend in northern Michigan.

D7100 & 18-105mm on the picnic table. Used the trusty built in self-timer.

Somehow I lost my EXIF importing last weekends images to Lightroom. The effects were done in Lightroom 5 with a combination of manual settings and a Scott Kelby preset.

Putting myself out there. I am not in love with this image, I just think it's cool. Interested in what others think overall.

Evening reflecting at the fire by MichiganClassics.com, on Flickr
 
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Blade Canyon

Senior Member
For some reason, reminded me of...

Breaking-Bad-Wallpaper.jpg
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Took my first self portrait this past weekend in northern Michigan.

D7100 & 18-105mm on the picnic table. Used the trusty built in self-timer.

Somehow I lost my EXIF importing last weekends images to Lightroom. The effects were done in Lightroom 5 with a combination of manual settings and a Scott Kelby preset.

Putting myself out there. I am not in love with this image, I just think it's cool. Interested in what others think overall.

Evening reflecting at the fire by MichiganClassics.com, on Flickr

Ok you asked for some feedback, here is mine....

I find there is too much open space to the left of the frame. Also I am unsure of the HDR in this image and if it actually works for the image, as it would be nicer if you were closer to the fire and actually reflecting and watching the flames like a "Bush TV' as we call it. And unless its 40 deg C there you would not be that far away ;) .

I like the photo but I know you can do so much better :)
 

FastGlass

Senior Member
I actually like the image. Wouldn't really say the space to the left is empty. I think it just reminds people the vastness and serenity of the place he's at. As far as the HDR. I think it's nicely done and not over processed. It adds to the roughing it feel of being out in nature. Sorry Scott.
 

Eyelight

Senior Member
Everyone has a different vision. If I take the image as is, I see a nice quiet location, possibly remote, not too cold, not too hot, there is a campfire, a chair and a beer. It doesn't get much better.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
I actually like the image. Wouldn't really say the space to the left is empty. I think it just reminds people the vastness and serenity of the place he's at. As far as the HDR. I think it's nicely done and not over processed. It adds to the roughing it feel of being out in nature. Sorry Scott.
No thats cool, I was just stating my feeling of what I would expect from reflecting in a fire kind of portrait. Yes it is done well but still doesn't leave me with the feeling of wanting to be closer to teh fire, he is held back and afar and that indicates he is not as relaxed as he should be in these circumstances.
 

carguy

Senior Member
Great feedback and much appreciated.

I can shed some 'light' on the image that might be helpful.

It was entirely spontaneous. Always itching to shoot something and there was nobody else around. Figured it was a chance to play with the self timer (I did not pack my pocketwizards nor my IR remote for the trip).

Interesting you notice I may have not have been as relaxed as expected. I can attribute that to pressing the shutter then literaly running to the chair before the shutter snapped. A closer seat would have helped with that as well as the end result.

Good things to think about next time the situation arises :)
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
If you don't mind I'll throw my 2 cents in. I think that what Scott was mentioning is the fact that there are too many elements in the picture with your crop. I find that you are sitting too far on the edge and the emptiness of the right side (no interest) is fighting for our eye's attention.

I took the liberty of cropping it just to show you how it changes the whole concept and feel of the image. I (for my taste), prefer the tighter square format crop in this case.

fire selfie.jpg

I hope it's ok with you to crop your image. I only did it after checking your preferences that said Image editing OK. If not, let me know and I'll remove my post.
 

carguy

Senior Member
Good perspective and I appreciate the input. Of course the edit is OK, and I like it :)

If I remember correctly, I did not crop the original image at all. While I see your perspective, my intent was to keep the island in the left of the frame to show the location. I can see your view as well.

Good stuff.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
I like the open feel of the original work. Gives the viewer the feeling of a wide open area with room for more guests around the camp fire.
 
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