I’ve decided that if I’m going to concentrate on Project 52 this year instead of Project 365, it needs a bit of focus. After having a daily shot of random people and things in my life for so long, it feels weird to contribute only 52 random weekly shots for the year, especially when I’m shooting nearly daily.
Once I tried to take a photo of myself every day for a year, otherwise known as “365 Days”, but on Day 20 I found out I was pregnant with Mr. Serious and oddly completely abandoned the project! It would have been cool to have a record of what I looked like throughout my pregnancy with him!
While I have no plans to become pregnant this year, I would like to learn more about the art of self-portraiture. Frankly, I don’t like other people taking my picture. For some reason, their primary concern with the shot is not making sure my eyes sparkle and my double-chin is hidden.
I’ve only ever done arms-length or reflective self-portraiture. I’m becoming much more at peace with my tripod and my wonderful husband got me a remote shutter release for Christmas which opens up a world of new possibilities.
Here’s a collection of some of my favorite selfies throughout the years.
![05-31-10 - My Eyes [151/365]](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4658543399_9d9f92d402_z.jpg)
Taking a self-portrait weekly will not only tie a common thread throughout my Project 52 collection, but challenge my skills setting up a shot and push me creatively. I want more pictures of us as a family and me with my kids.
Yesterday I revisited the spinning around arms-length self portrait using a different technique. I held my tripod as a monopod out in front of me and I think it lent more stability. It’s a really hard shot to get in focus. I have one more idea of something I could try to stabilize the shot, but I will probably wait a few weeks before trying it again. I’m dizzy.
I’m excited to have a direction and a theme for Project 52 and can’t wait to see my results at the end of the year! Are you participating in Project 52 or Project 365 this year? Did you decide to go with a theme for it? I’d love to hear what you’re working on!
I can’t even pick a favorite, but I love them all. If I had to, I’d pick the one of you in the hallway. I’m a sucker for a girl with a real camera, am fond of the pregnant body , and bigger women in general. I’ve got to admit, the top one is awesome, and has so much going on “back there”, but your beautiful face and skin steal the show. I am a big fan of self taken portraits as well. Keep up the good work, and creativity. Here are my self portraits. http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=91762461@N00&q=self&m=text
** Thanks for posting your full size images to flickr!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks Frank!
dizzy is such a small price to pay for such a great SP!!!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thank you Susan!
Twitter: @naptimemomtog
Great photos. Love the last one. So cool.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks Sarah!
Twitter: @unicornbeauty
What an awesome theme! I loved all your photos. I find self portraits so hard but I know someday they will mean a lot to my boys.
I’ve always wanted to do a photo project even with my sad little point and shoot.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
You should do a photo project! You can capture some really amazing shots on a point and shoot. Check out On Linden Way for a travel photog who uses a point and shoot.
Twitter: @unicornbeauty
Do you have any info on project 52? I think I would like to do it. Or is this your own creation? Would love to maybe do it with you (hint).
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
There are a bunch of Flickr groups for Project 52. I don’t know if there’s anything official for it. Basically you just commit to taking a picture a week. Likely you’ll take many many more than that. You can publish them or not. It can be themed or not. Some people doing it in groups challenge themselves with a different theme every week. You write the terms for your own project.
It would be great if you wanted to start it up too!
Twitter: @opinionatedant
Great theme to use. Love the examples you shared I’m going to have to try getting dizzy- looks like fun!
“Frankly, I don’t like other people taking my picture. For some reason, their primary concern with the shot is not making sure my eyes sparkle and my double-chin is hidden.”
Completely agree on this one. That’s why most pictures of an adult me are self-portraits
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks! Not that the photos I have of myself are flattering, but it’s like other people who take a picture of me are TRYING to make me seem like a big fat ugly slob!
Twitter: @goodgoogs
I love your self-portraits and I love the idea of a 52 week project! I’ll have to think of a theme
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thank you! I get giddy when I think of having a gallery of 52 like-themed pictures at the end of a year of work. I may start a few other 52 week themed projects in the next couple of months too. I was also considering “Monochrome” and “Abstract” as themes.
This is a great idea! I’m looking forward to seeing your weekly self-portraits.
If I had a better camera and could challenge myself, I would be doing a P365.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thanks Amy! I don’t think you need an SLR to do Project 365. I’ve seen some amazing work on the iPhone! What kind of camera do you have?
I’m doing P365 on my iPhone. I like that I don’t have to worry about ISO or shutterspeed, so I am being challenged by finding subjects with good natural lighting. My point and shoot is a Samsung SL620, and I’ve long since outgrown its capabilities. :/
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
I SO know what you mean about outgrowing your camera. I want a new one so bad since my Nikon D50 is an older, very basic dSLR. But it isn’t in the budget.
Is there any way you might be able to finagle a dSLR as a wedding present? It’s an appropriate gift as you’ll be able to document your lives together!
Lynda, these are fantastic shots of you! I keep saying I need to do more self-portraits…I know I’m going to be sad I don’t have any one day, but I keep avoiding it. LOL!
(My latest excuse is needing a hair cut – ha!)
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comment! It was great to hear from you! Happy Friday, and have a wonderful weekend!
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thank you so much Karli. You should do some self-portraits! I think everyone should, but I like seeing the person behind the blog.
happy friday!
Twitter: @lnbphotography
I think my favourite is the one of your eyes. I rarely get a selfie taken but I think I should make an effort more often. I’m just doing a random 365 with whatever I find that inspires me that day.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thank you Rosie! I did (kinda) 365 last year… no way could I do a themed 365… maybe if it was B&W.
Twitter: @Buckeroomama
I love what you did with the last SP –really awesome! Agree with Susan that dizzy is a small price to pay for the wonderful outcome of that shot.
Twitter: @PhotoLynda
Thank you so much!