"Getting Ready"I hadn't planned on uploading this picture for yesterday's entry (I promise, I took this yesterday!), but when I reviewed the few pictures that I had taken, I decided that this one captured the day best of all.
Last night, one night out turned into three. Despite what many people think, I don't have that fabulous a social life. But again, it is usually all or nothing. The evening started with a small party at a Chinese restaurant that a friend of mine owns. As the night drew to a close, a few people announced that they were going to the local bar in my neighbourhood, and they invited me along. On the way, I discovered a text message from a neighbour and colleague, inviting me round for drinks. So, first I went to the local, and then ended up at his. The evening was one of the most fun that I've had in ages, and which I will remember for making new friends and colleagues and getting to know old ones better. But it all started with 'getting ready.'
I know that the picture isn't the best one. The top of my head is overexposed, but I kind of like that effect. I took a few of these shots as an experiment, and thought I would revisit this type of self-portrait later. I don't like the fact that the spots on the mirror are in focus, but when I saw Dennis' picture from yesterday, I thought that this would make a nice parallel with his spots of rain.
Amy, the one thing I do not like about this post is your critiques!!! I mean it. When I saw the photo (before reading your post), I was immediately drawn to the over exposed part you mentioned. I thought it was strategic. Some important lessons I have learned through years of sharing and critiquing photos with Paul: Criticism is entirely relevant. It has no purpose unless it has it's purpose.
ReplyDeleteI ask you to ask yourself: did you comment on the overexposed and out of focus parts because they bothered your own opinion of the shot; or did you comment on them because you thought others might comment on them? If it's the former, I accept your self-critique. If it's the latter, I say, "who's photo is this??"
:) I think you know me well enough to get the jist, even if I did not illiterate it well here!
Lori, you know me SO well. My self-criticism was, indeed, the latter. The over-exposed part wasn't intentional (it is the overhead light in my bathroom, and that's just the way it happened), but I DO LIKE the effect. In general, I like the way photos look when they are overexposed and even when parts are blown-out (when the effect is artistic), but I think that my experiences on Better Photo have made me cautious...if there's one thing you learn in photography classes, it's 'don't overexpose!'...so, my comment was a knee-jerk reaction to that, and I suppose also an attempt to pre-emtp criticism. You're right - WHY do I do that?! Thanks for pointing out what I already knew...I actually had second thoughts about writing that last paragraph....I suppose insecurity won out, in this instance! ;-)
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