Self-portrait help

[jonesphoto]

So I have a current assignment to take a self-portrait... without using any part of my self. Challenging, but exciting. =3 My teacher suggested using simple objects that depict us, like his past students have.. But that just seems kinda lame.

Anyone got any examples?

I've got a few ideas. And we have to have at least three photos, so I'll have a few chances to prove myself in this assignment.

[mgadell]

Your shadow ?

[carrbowl]

Originally Posted by mgadell

Your shadow ?

whoooo..that's good...wish I was creative enough to help!!

[Disney Chick]

I would arrange some type of objects together with the one representing myself being different in a relevant way. For example, if I wanted to show how short I am, I would make the object representing me shorter than the others and the obvious focus. (That's not the trait I would choose, BTW!)

[jcarouth]

That's good stuff Rachel. You could do opposites for likes dislikes as well to represent your personality.

[jonesphoto]

Mike - ya, I don't think our shadow counts though, because it still reveals our body image. I know he's going to mix up all our prints and have us guess who is who, so I think shadow would still be too obvious.

Rachel - That's sort of along the lines I've been thinking. I was also taking some of my personality traits and trying to figure out how I can portray them. Like I'm very optimistic and I have a lot of hope, so I've got a really great idea brewing for that picture.

[afrikaner07]

how about a glass thats filled a little more than half for the optimism, and a light from behind.

[jonesphoto]

Johan, ya I was thinking about that. An obvious sign of optimism that the class should be able to guess.

[afrikaner07]

and the light behind it might signify hope, a teddy bear might signify comfort, sand paper might come across as coarse etc etc etc.

[jonesphoto]

I think I'm going to do an overall theme of "I am" and play off that.

Like: I am... Optimistic.
I am... Weird
I am... Unique
I am... Happy / Content
etc.

I think this is going to be a fun assignment!


*Instead of just showing objects that represent me. I mean, anyone can take a picture of their hobbies. Ie, how many people have a photo of their camera?
But at least this idea forces me to be more creative.

[afrikaner07]

Optimistic= Glass full or more than half full.
Weird= how about an "odd" number, lol
Unique= a snowflake...or a cutout of one
Happy/Content= a wedding ring, or something from a wedding, where everyone is generally happy, or a blanket, or...

sorry, i used up all my creative thoughts, hope that helps. =D

[ShaneKislack]

too bad you don't have a twin.

[jonesphoto]

lol I think I would still be disqualified if I used a twin.. It still uses a body that looks just like me, ya know?

Thanks for all the great ideas though guys! Really got me brainstorming

[afrikaner07]

so what did you end up shooting? got any pics of it?

[jonesphoto]

the assignment doesn't have a due date so I'm still working on it. I only have access to the lab twice a week, so I haven't developed my film yet.

for sure I've got various photo of (fake) flowers growing defiantly in unlikely places.. like concrete, obviously mud, rubble/gravel, a puddle of water with the flowers reflection shining back.. etc. I plan on hand-coloring just the flower for effect (it's a black and white film class). I'll choose the most dramatic photo for the final. This will be my "optimism" photo.

I've also taken one of a line of chalk pastels laying neatly in their tray, all various shades. This I will also hand-color, but only one of the sticks so that it stands out. This will be my "unique". Kinda cliche.

I've got an adorable photo of my baby kitty passed out oh-so-contently on the floor. This will be my "content / happy".

They will all be in print but I'd love to scan them in and share, and get some critiques.