How to Take an Artistic Self-Portrait

Recently, I decided I wanted to do some experimentation with self-portraits. I am, admittedly, not a portrait photographer, but it's a skill that I would like to acquire over time. So, I purchased some inexpensive and simple lighting equipment, setup my tripod, and got to work seeing if I could capture something that I liked.
While this process is challenging and time-consuming, I think it's a worth while educational experience, and I would encourage you to give it a try. Additionally, it was also a lot fo fun!
Lighting Gear (these are affiliate links):
amzn.to/2DltKlw - Polaroid Light Stand
amzn.to/2XoRcpn - Light Diffuser/Reflector

[@savitabalkaran3712]

A voice for guided meditation. 🤓

[@richardweathers6194]

For the mood, background music & instruction I find myself watching/listening to this video when I need a push to create. Great work!

[@john_neil]

That's awesome, thanks for letting me know. :)

[@jonashobrack9107]

I just tried it myself and went through the same process as you did... It works brilliantly and builds up a lot of confidence. With that knowledge it is now easy to move on and try out different positions and framing. Thank you very much for your inspiration!

[@noir_realm]

Honesty and humility shows a humble person. You showed that. There is an app that you can connect to your camera that way you don't have to worry about timing or focus

[@ddmmaster]

KZbin give this man some exposure. The tutorial is great, video is great, narrating is great, as a photographer he is great.

[@john_neil]

Wow, thanks!

[@johnhurn3598]

What a terrific tutorial and so well narrated, I like the fact that you shared all the images for a 5 minute video your taken on a relaxing journey of a great self portrait. I'm totally chilled out now 👍

[@john_neil]

Ha, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. :)

[@ashokviswanathan920]

Beautifully done. The narrative is just so engrossing, with the background score to match the mood. Have to try taking self-portraits at home. Thank you for creating this.

[@john_neil]

Wow, thanks so much. What a nice comment. Definitely give some self portraits a try! It was a totally worthwhile experiment for me.

[@enmirror5545]

Great effect, I like it 👍

[@cesarkastoun5752]

I clicked on this without knowing what to expect and, lo and behold, it turned out to an extremely interesting video. Informative and relaxing.

[@john_neil]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hizbollahabedin7310]

I like how he explained and demonstrate everything, very straight forward. ♥

[@john_neil]

Thanks!

[@BludgeonedBOO]

I would definitely have this photo as a background on my computer. I totally agree on the "less is more", simplicity is nice.

[@flickgt]

Brilliant! simple, informative and honest. Thanks.

[@juliocruz6251]

That end shot was epic, great work. I totally relate with what you say as far as focusing in a certain theme of pictures. I’ve always done street photography but always wanted to get into portraits. I tried the exact same thing as you and came out with thousands of pics i didnt like and probably 4 I did lol. Great content!

[@steventhebroker]

Awesom video brother!!! Definitely going to try this

[@contrastoki]

I would say you look fantastic, especially in B&W. Great facial features.

[@john_neil]

Well, how nice of you. :)

[@SamSinha]

You deserve way more subscribers, dude! Loved it.

[@20secondfacts]

Very well done! Ive been wanting to start with self portraits, most of my photography is exactly like yours but portrature i feel like is such a different style.

[@alial-hassan1261]

Inspiring video.... Thanks

[@dorktenderloin]

I appreciate your videos, thanks for making this one especially. I've never been one to turn the camera around on myself and was thankful to have this guide to help me take some successful low key self portraits.

[@HC-bh2zs]

Very cool video 👍👍

[@AdrianW.Photography]

Very informative. A lesson in patience and exploration. Thanks for sharing.

[@hawrazhede]

very goood video !!!!!!

[@john_neil]

Thank you.

[@carliiiartist]

Well done! 🙌🏾

[@john_neil]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@ilshatkarimov1528]

Great video!

[@lorraineho3046]

I really liked this video! Great attitude, and general narration. Thank you so much :)

[@georgenorthcutt6774]

I like your video! Keep up the good work man.

[@iSpike]

BRILLIANT 👍🏻

[@LegendaryGoatMeat]

You sound like a really cool dude!

[@john_neil]

Ha, thanks. I am what I am. :)

[@rachelaristizabal3093]

Right ?

[@nikastreasure4495]

I think the same, calm and patient voice. Thanks for instructions!

[@twinkie1773]

You sound like a dope person to be around. Plus I'm going to try this today

[@_Name_]

While the first attempts look a bit raw, the final result is great! The appropriate combination of lighting, composition and perspective, the same as B&W scheme makes the Portrait deserving to be published, I guess.

[@ELAR15]

I just found out your video by looking for tips for self-portraits because I just started to make my own. I don't have any lighting equipment. I only rely with day light through my window. I also don't have a dslr or a mirrorless Camera. I take all shots on my mobile phone on auto mode due to the fact that my exposure gets really dark if I change to pro mode and ISO 100 is the max I can go to avoid any noise. Despite all the handicaps and lack of gears, I do it anyway because it is fun. Thanks for sharing this video. It got me more inspired.

[@john_neil]

You bet, thanks for watching!

[@TippitoWOW]

Great work mate!! loved it

[@ankurmehta5090]

love it ... something i plan to try while stuck in quarantine.. very timely plan to take a couple of days off from work ... thanks man ! super cool !

[@bhusalsudeepsdsd]

Thank you sir

[@petrossain]

Good job mate. Awesome video!!

[@ErfanPhoenix]

Mate Great

[@brettwooderson7442]

Great video and good for people looking to swap types of photography.

[@largefamilyruralliving7434]

Excellent video, to the point, great explanation, thanks.

[@sourav2149]

Nice .underrated

[@dial3ctic289]

beautiful video

[@john_neil]

Thank you

[@T_N_Photography]

Your very helpfull bro tnx😎 i think your using nikon7200 for this i guess

[@CarlosTamares]

Nice...

[@kingjean]

Nice what lens and how far away were u from camera

[@john_neil]

Hrm, I can't remember for sure. I think this was a 25mm lens on my G7. Maybe a few feet away? Was a while back. Thanks for commenting!

[@DrUmmair]

Cool

[@DaveKingMusic]

What light did you use?

[@john_neil]

Some 15W, 5000k LED daylight bulb from the hardware store. Not sure what one exactly. Probably not great if you need perfect color representation, but more than adequate for a B+W photo. :)

[@RoLee705]

Okay but what lens? Camera? ISO? Aperture? Shutter?/how did you go about exposing your face?How did you angle the light? How far was it from you?

[@ociethomas6446]

This is a pretty simple technique. F-stop 1/200, aperture F8, ISO 100. Light power 1/128. 1. Stand to the front or left of the soft box. 2. Activate camera timer 3. Take a shot.

[@thehiddenchannel636]

Did you use a self timer?

[@john_neil]

Yes, I did.

[@pujabhandari2079]

I do mine with mobile phone

[@UpendraKumar-mj6pl]

Suggest some tips

[@Fidozo15]

Why do you look like Jonathan Davis a bit?

[@alnisaa222]

how do you only expose yourself ?

[@adams8190]

This video shows nothing

[@john_neil]

I'm sorry you were disappointed.