While I love capturing the world around me, I hate being in front of the camera. Hate it. That’s why it’s with some tredipation and fear that I join in with Urban Muser’s In The Picture project this year, gently exploring self portraiture.
I have noticed I carry a lot of biases about self-portraiture. I could list many reasons that I have kept myself out of the picture in the past. But they are all just a protective facade, designed to keep me safely away from images of myself. What am I trying to avoid?
I guess this year, I’ll find out. One image at a time.
A self-portrait opportunity presented itself to me on Saturday, while at the Portland Art Museum. I was in the Contemporary Art Gallery when I noticed the light. The sun had come out, after a rainy morning, and I loved the interplay between the light and the art. I started to capture this painting, Green One by Pat Steir, when I realized the gallery was empty, and there was plenty of space to work. I set up my camera, grabbed my remote and captured a few frames.
It’s a safe start, I must admit. I’m abstracted, a silhouette. To an outside observer, the image is not about me as much as it is about a person interacting with art, with the light. I could have taken this of anyone.
But it is about me, to me. About my love of art and painting, about being in an environment that allows me to enjoy it. The image becomes more personal, more meaningful.
Maybe that’s the point of self-portraiture? I’m not sure. It’s going to take a while to work through my biases and figure out this whole genre of photography, and how it fits for me. This is the start.
PS – A word about this gorgeous painting! It was so full of texture and subtle color, it is no wonder it caught my eye in the light. You can find out more about Pat Steir and her work here.
So glad you are joining this selfie project! I have mixed feelings too, but felt it was a good challenge for me, especially as I am trying to age gracefully.. ( I do like the idea that I can control the image and not be shocked by some one else’s capture of me.) Your lovely silhouette in the art gallery does say a lot about you…perfect way to start!
Love your self-protrait! It tells a great story of your love of art! I’m trying the “in the picture” project this year, also. I’m stressed about it though! Like you, I hate being in the picture. I’ve been considering not continuing, but just don’t want to give up too early. My main problem,.well, other than not like what I look like in print, is lack of inspiration and not knowing how to get good angles and shots. I also need to buy me a remote!!! Anyway, I’ll give it a few more weeks and see if I start to be excited about it! I’ll look forward to seeing your photos in the gallery. You always inspire me!!!
Cathy, if I can do it, you can do it too! We can encourage each other. It’s really hard for me to do!
I’m glad that you are joining {{in the picture}} project.
I love your take on self-portraiture. Great start. I see a whole series of partial “you’s” culminating in the full view at the end of your exercise ;).
Stay inspired!
What a great idea! It will be interesting to see what develops through the year, won’t it?
I REALLY like this self-portrait, this image. I’m also doing the SP. I have found over the past few months I like distorting myself, taking pieces of myself, hands, feet, eye, etc. I think it’s about not really wanting to look. We’ll see. Safe start, you say, but great art-I say, and I ain’t talkin’ ’bout what you’re looking at.
I think it helps to think of self-portraits untraditionally-that they can be anything big or small. Who says what is right or wrong? So-I’m digging this one Kat.
What a great project! I also hate to be in front of the camera and I absolutely admire that project! I love that photo – a wonderful start!
looks to be you’re steppping in the right direction; great perspective I thought creative.
How fun that you are exploring this new direction Kat. I am sure we will be seeing some great self portraits from you. I look forward to it!
And I love the feel of this one. Nice!
yay kat! so glad you have officially started the project. this is a beautiful self portrait and it really does tell the viewer a lot about you. well done my friend, can’t wait to see what you do next.
Thanks for providing the encouragement to do this project. I feel supported and safe doing it with you!
Well done Kat! You will see, this is a self-discovery path! I didn’t think that I would love it, but I do. Even though I’m a still a little nervous of seeing myself as the camera tells it and not the way I feel it!
I like your first shot!
Be seeing you in the mix, piece by piece!
We are on an inner journey… much deeper than mere appearances.
Sandra
I love your image and how it tells us a bit about you through it, great job. I’m doing this project too for exactly the same reasons, so pleased you’re joining it too.
Love the use of black and white so that the colors in the painting don’t cancel you out!
Good for you for rising above the phobias. I’m not ready to tackle such an emotional project- especially as I’m still learning basic photography!
That’s an interesting thought Barbara. Maybe you are right – it’s easier to tackle a more personal subject matter when you aren’t worried about the technical part of photography. I hadn’t thought about it, but I did just set up my camera and was good to go without thinking. I was more worried about composition than anything.
Love this… Love your pov, love the b&w.
I know how you feel about the selfies. I’m the same way. I, too joined the {in the picture}, too. I’m a bit stressed about it but as you said one image at a time…
Fantastic! It def evokes a reflective mood for me.
Kathy
I love this picture. I know – I also find self portraits so hard, so uncomfortable for some reason. I wonder if men have the same tough time with it, or if it’s just us women who are too hard on ourselves? This is a great start – I can’t wait to see more from you and of you:) {from in the picture}
That’s a great question Bridget! I wonder the answer myself. Thanks for coming by!
i’ve already said that i love this shot! thanks for linking up today at {in the picture} kat!!
LOL, I didn’t expect you to comment again! 🙂
Hi Kat. I look forward to seeing your self portrait journey unfurl.
Nicely done!
This picture is beautiful. So subtle. I love hot it presents you as you! great start!
i am glad you are joining us as we do this together.
i so get what you are saying… and i quite agree. like i said in my post, the very reasons i don’t want to do self-portraiture are the very reasons i joined {in the picture}. i know there is a stigma about doing them… people have accused me of being vain. but they just don’t understand that it is so not about that.
still, i have to start out being more vague when it comes to picturing myself. it’s all i can muster up when being brave {i thought of the very same word you used… trepidation.}
anyway, love your shots! very artistic, indeed! i’ve seen your blog before, but never commented, because i felt seemed so well-liked and well-read, so i felt like an “intruder” if i commented… you know how when you go to a blog and there seems to be such a community that if you just happened upon it, you feel like it would be weird to comment uninvited… even though i know that’s not the case. anyway, since we are participating in the same project, i felt “invited”… actually, encouraged {by christy} to comment. glad i stopped by again! looking forward to seeing more selfies from you!
Welcome Georgia! I’m glad we are both participating with {in the picture}. By commenting you become part of the community, and so I’m so happy that you did today!!
I love your shot. I’m glad you are (in the picture), too. Photos and art put “us” out there, but self portraits add another layer to the vulnerability involved, don’t they? It’s inspiring to see so many souls who are overcoming their trepidation. Such bravery! What a supportive group!
What a perfect word to describe self-portraits – vulnerable. I used to feel vulnerable putting my images and words out for sharing on the blog. I guess since I’ve become more comfortable, self-portraits are a way to move that next step. It is a fantastic group, isn’t it?
What an amazing shot this is! Love the painting (and your boots)!
Catherine Denton
Thanks. They are new boots and I love them, I had to get them in there. 🙂