Susan's grandson, Eli.
Camilla's son, Auggie.
Michelle's son, Ian.
Sara's daughter, Ila.
Jen's parents.
No Faces Assignment
Create five telling portraits of five different people, without including the face of the subject.
Chris Orwig
Many photo bloggers have mastered the art of not showing faces in their posts. I first noticed this cleverness at the blog, Soule Mama. Amanda Blake Soule has four children, and she has such artful ways of capturing their bodies, whether moving or in repose. As you can see above, many of you are experts, as well. Do as many portraits as you want, one is even OK, because I have another challenge . . .
Now how about pictures of you and me, with faces? Assignment
Photo bloggers are also artful dodgers- many are shy to show their faces. I search for bloggers's faces and often can't find them, or they are so small it's impossible to get an idea of what they look like. (It's also often equally challenging to find out a blogger's name, even on the 'About' page.)
Since I enjoy knowing what the bloggers I read look like, I decided I must show my own face, as well. I'm shy too, believe it or not.
I know getting a picture you like of yourself isn't easy. Many do mirror shots, like the one I have at the top of my blog. Or there's a tripod set-up shot that simply requires someone to click. My daughter clicked the one at left. The best kind though is when someone takes an impromptu photo that just works. I like this one Marilyn Wellan took of me in her Louisana garden.
What if your blog becomes so popular that your local newspaper, Martha Stewart, Good Morning America, or the New York Times wants to feature you and your interesting life. Surly they will want a picture of you. And when they are researching your blog, they will definitely want to see you. Don't laugh, it could happen. It did happen to Amanda Soule.
Blog Portrait
If you already have a nice picture of yourself on your blog, do another one, or two, or three. Do one or all of the following.
1. Mirror Shot - have fun with it. (I took quick photos of me, in a round mirror, that I'm going to make into a grid). There are so many possibilities . . .
2. Choose a nice background, set up the tripod, and then have someone stand in for height and focus position. Think about what you will wear and even put on make-up (it's a must for me, even though I rarely wear make-up). Take your place and get someone to click, and click again, and again. Because you are going to smile this way, and that way, open your eyes, close your mouth, tilt your head– experiment. You want to make sure you have plenty of choices.
3. Choose a setting and get some sweet person to take some shots. (This is not my husband's idea of fun- Susan will you?)
Bonus Body Part Photo
When we don't have a model, hands and feet sometimes come in very handy. I love this shot of Sara's handful of seeds. Point the camera on yourself and see what you can come up with. Something out-of-your-regular-box. Something you haven't done before. This is our last session-- how fun it's been! I'll miss you all. Let's make these parting shots memorable.
Photography Workshop Participants
If you are a workshop member, be sure and visit everyone's blog and leave comments on the latest assignment. These links will take you to assignment #2, you'll have to navigate to #'s 3 & 4. If I missed someone, let me know and I'll add you. For those of you just tuning in the workshop intro is here at Bloom.
Bloom
Florali
Weheartyarn
Earthmama
Farmama
Beehousehives
Hartwoodroses
Potjethee
Ididn'trealeyes
Madebymarie
Underthebigbluesky
Mackvilleroad
Giveagirlafig
Rosenotes
Onceuponaparent
Earthycrunchy
