My Mug - Viewer discretion advised :)

[Geoff]

Was mucking around with the camera tonight, thought I'd take a self portrait.
Here's one I was reasonably happy with. A bit of gentle tweaking in LR 2.1 and voila! Taken with the D700, 50mm 1.4 and onboard flash.
Critique/comments welcomed:

[Glen]

Geoff your eyes look great, you did well with a self portrait (or were you just staring lovingly at your D700?). Lucky you are photogenic. Looking at the photo in detail I am left with the uneasy impression you are naked!

[Geoff]

Thanks Glen,
Errr..do you really think I'd inflict naked-ness on my fellow forum mebers? Never...only the top part of me was naked..maybe that's too much to bare!

[biggerry]

uneasy impression you are naked!

that was my first impression too

You have really nailed the focus on this, eyes and nose absolutely spot on - I am curious to know how you set this up, tripod and remote? How did you know where it was going to focus?

now that I know you are not naked, maybe alittle more chin in the frame? and since I am asking...maybe a little negative space on the right of the image to make it symmetrical, feel free to tell me to get bent

[Geoff]

uneasy impression you are naked!

that was my first impression too

You have really nailed the focus on this, eyes and nose absolutely spot on - I am curious to know how you set this up, tripod and remote? How did you know where it was going to focus?

now that I know you are not naked, maybe alittle more chin in the frame? and since I am asking...maybe a little negative space on the right of the image to make it symmetrical, feel free to tell me to get bent

Get bent! Nah...it's fine..that's what we post images for here..critique.
The setup was simply (a lot) of trial and error). It was handheld, I had centre metered focusing on and the focus point back in the middle, I sharpened my weary eyes a bit in LR. I tried with more chin, but if you think what you see now made you think I was nekkid...think again

[Matt. K]

Geoff
This image does not appeal to me ....I think it's a combination of things...the slope of the face with the mouth and chin being out of focus...the hot shine on the nose and the fact that the nose is very close to the camera making it appear larger....and the placement of the eyes nearly half way down the page with a forehead and hair taking the top half of the page..(yes folks, measure it).
Try a shot or a number of shots with the dominant eye (closest to the camera) dead centre of the page. One of the great masters of painting portraits used this as a successful device. Avoid showing the forehead square on as it lacks interest.
Play some more.

[Geoff]

Thanks Matt...always something to improve on.
The next time I try something like that I will have grey hairs...but seriously I will try again.

[Glen]

Thanks Matt...always something to improve on.
The next time I try something like that I will have grey hairs...but seriously I will try again.

Geoff, just keep on using Grecian 2000 after you are married Most married guys end up with grey hair