I am an outgoing person, but that being said I do not like having my photo taken. It's very difficult for me to turn the camera inward, but my *word* for 2012 is discover. I wanted to discover new things about my self through photography. For me photography is part of my self-care, a way to relieve stress and do something just for me. Instead of Calgon take me away...it's Nikon take me away (no offense to you Canon girls, of course).
I have not fooled around with the timer on my camera or my shutter remote that is still sitting in it's little box, but I have found the reverse on my iphone camera. I love my iphone. I mean, I really really love it! Having a camera at the tip of my fingers at any given moment just makes me giddy with excitement! It allows me to think outside the box and find a new way to see things. Yes, it’s pretty obvious that I am easily entertained. Instagram has become one of my favorite apps and I even find myself checking it more than Facebook these days. I look forward to all of my IG friends’ photos each and every day. It's the best of both worlds....photography and social media!
Every weekday afternoon I am in the carpool line waiting to pick up my kids from school. So one day, mostly out of sheer boredom, I began *discovering* new ways to take photos of myself in the car. I’ve always been intrigued by reflections and started to notice all of the nice and shiny reflective surfaces in my car and from that #carpoolreflections was born. I try to post one photo everyday on Instagram that contains some part of me in it. A few people have started to join in the fun and tag their carpool reflection photos and I invite anyone else to jump right in!
How do you literally focus on yourself? Do you turn the camera inward very often? We would love to see your self portraits in our Flickr Group! And if you are on Instagram we would love to follow you so leave your user name in the comments section.
20 comments:
it is hard to step out from "behind the camera"; i've started doing that some by writing again and starting to teach yoga to kids on volunteer manner - it's hard to put yourself "out there" but the awareness of oneself and the world around us that is gained is worth the risk, i am discovering....
great mosaic! fantastic self portraits! and wow...all with the iphone. handy dandy little piece of equipment, eh? :)
like most of us, turning the cam on myself is a tough thing to do. but...you've made it fun! and...you've turned an afternoon in the car pool line into a little story. always love your work leigh! :)
Love your carpool reflections, Leigh. I started taking selfies after joining Urban Muser's in the picture. I think it's important that we include ourselves in the story. And after doing them for a while, I find them creative and fun! Who knew!
You are so right Ashley it is worth it. It really gives us a sense of accomplishment to put ourselves out there. I think that is so great that you are teaching yoga to kids. I think learning to be in tune with oneself early on will only help them in life.
Thank you Susan! These handy dandy smartphones are really fun!
"including ourselves in the the story" I had never thought of it that way. What a great way to see it! Normally when I look at myself I dwell on all my flaws, but through this self portrait series I see something different and I am proud of myself.
How neat! I really don't have anyone else to take my picture very often. I guess I need to try and do it myself. Love what you did.
This is awesome, Leigh! Love all your carpool reflections photos! I have had an iPhone for awhile but have used it as a camera very little. More and more I'm seeing the benefits of the photography/social media connection and want to become a better iPhone photographer. I also loved Maria's "including ourselves in the story" idea. This might be just the push I need to really figure out Instagram. Thanks for the wonderful post!
Such a fun post, Leigh, and a wonderful mosaic! I've been watching your carpool shots on Instagram since you started them and have posted ... trumpets playing ... ONE! It is hard to take self-portraits but I think you've hit on something: the more we do it, the more fun it will become. This in the picture thing sounds terrific, going to have to check that out. A wonderful exchange of ideas here.
Give it a try! I think you will find that it's really fun and you might learn something new about yourself.
I love your mosaic, and I love how you tinted each photograph. I never like to have my picture taken. I never think of taking my own photo, in fact I photographed my girlfriend's wedding and forgot to ask someone else to take our photo together. Someday I might regret not taking my photo, so I will take your advice and try this.
I love all of the photos telling the story of waiting in the car. It brings back memories of when my girls were little. Wish I had an iPhone back then. Thank you so much for the inspiration.
Karen
Well, I finally broke down and bought an I-Phone...so the next step is learning how to use it and to download the instagram app. Always something new to learn...thanks for the encouragement and lovin' that sweet mosaic!!
Love your car pool photos. You're very creative to find such great images! Self portraits are one of the hardest things I've ever done. I tend to be very hard on myself and not happy with them. I've also started {in the picture} with Urban Muser and have succeeded in taking my portrait 12 times. Twelve acceptable pictures that is, let's not count the ones I deleted!! It is a tiny bit easier, but still pretty hard. I think what helped me was to realized I don't always have to take a picture straight on, smiling at the camera. I focus more on telling a little bit about me! I'm with Maria, it's not just a photo I want to tell a story!
I <3 instagram and I <3 your carpool reflections :) Look forward to them every day!
Hi, I'm Linda and I'm an Instagram addict.
I bet I check mine more than you check yours! ;)
Selfies are hard. For me the hard part is the set up and monitoring of the shot when I use my DSLR. I am learning as I go and hope to get better. I'm taking at least 1 per week with my DSLR. I'm working on some kind of story so there is more than just me in the shots. I posted an attempt at more than just me in the flickr group. I'm hoping to grow from there.
I have an iPhone 3gs so selfies with it are even harder! But (sometimes) somehow I manage!
xo
I am loving the in the picture group and you have done some great selfies Cathy!
aww thanks Alison! IG is just too cool!
I haven't attempted many with my DSLR. I've got to sit down and figure out the self timer or the remote so I can try more. I like the spontaneity of iphoneography. I love keeping up with you on IG, Linda!
Love the post, Leigh. I'm a huge fan of your carpool photos....so creative!! Maybe one day when I get an iphone I can join in the fun!! :-)
love your post. I hate self portraits, can't do them! I am on instagram @justinegordon
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