Hey ya'll! I have enjoyed immensely reading the questions submitted and the helpful answers. A giant thanks to all for starters. Okay, nowith the real question. I want to do some B+W self portraits possibly with a soft focus effects. Any tips? I know i can achieve this by making a double exposure, one with me in focus, and background blurred, and background crisp, and me blurred, but... any general tips for self-portraits before i go all out? I want to include a background/props that really make up my identity, who i am and the ideals i stand for. Thanks again for any tips

(i need tips on lighting too, don't have much $$$)

-- Jonny C. (Pfloydjon@Aol.com), February 16, 2000

Answers

This is a hard one to "prescribe" without seeing what you do. So.. round up a couple of friends, and shoot a lot of film. Take note of what you do and what you really like. Figure out _why_ you like it. With any luck you will have some grateful friends, and some ideas as to how to proceed. Find a scenario that you like, have the camera on a tripod, and "plug yourself in" to the picture. Then you really start to work on the fine points. You will have answered your question!

-- Paul Harris (pharris@neosoft.com), February 16, 2000.

This is a chance for you to let your imigination run wild. Let your hair down, so to speak. You got a fantasy? (not that kind...) Get into it. Have you always wanted to be a fireman? Make a double exposure of your face close up and a photo of flames. Just go for it. Do something crazy.

-- Joe Cole (jcole@apha.com), February 17, 2000.

hey,

you could also try (with the help of a friend) taking a zoom lens and zooming in, focusing, and then (over say a 1/4sec exposure) zooming out while the film is being exposed....some very cool effects!

as for light, depending on the effect you need/want you really don't have to spend a lot of money. Try using a piece of white mat board against a wall to reflect light in a room or explore the effects of very little lighting....some cool shots have been made using only a flashlight over a very long exposure....

hope that helps! friedel

-- Friedel (flrthr@mta.ca), March 08, 2000.