The Art of SELF PORTRAITS in Photography

[@rogueguineapig]

I'm in! But first, let me take a selfie.

[@sausirhi]

The best 7:28 minutes of my photography career. Keep up the great work!

[@artfulflower]

I was planning on doing a personal project with self portraits that tell viewers about who I am. I don't have much experience shooting self portraits and I was looking up tips on how to get creative with them. This video came at a great time and it inspired me to get started planning for my project! Thanks!

[@JesseCohen]

Funny, I've been on a photographic hiatus for almost a full year. No idea why, just had to stop, and time slipped bye. In the interim, I decided I needed to change the only image of me I use in social media, here on YT and the linked account for G+. And what I used was my favorite of the few self portraits I had taken. A reflective window image, B&W converted, with the actual red of the glass lamp bell in the background restored. I rarely like my own self portraits, especially in the "Selfie Era", so capturing the division of reveal and obscurity is what drove the frame I chose. I hope that makes sense, and doesn't come across as elitist or lofty. Anyway, all this to say I may join these assignments soon, as inspiration to start taking pictures again is returning slowly, thanks in part to your videos. Deeply appreciate your efforts and work. Thank you.

[@PrometheusMonk]

You should do an episode on Cindy Sherman. I think she's a great example of a photographer who is also very consciously a fine artist. The images you touched on here are some of her more subtle and accessible-- but she has done such bizarre and provocative work, even just in the context of the self-portrait.

[@joepphoto]

Hey Ted, you should also check out Anton Corbijn's Self Portraits. What I find extra interesting, is that to begin with they are one of his few color photos and at firs glance it is him acting as famous band members, but as an introvert kid from a small town in Holland it is a reflection of his personality and the world he wanted to be part of. They are totally different than his other work but at the same time só Corbijn! Thanks for the assignment again!

[@Beakerzor]

This is my favorite topic! Myself! You are going to love my work! I know I do!

[@richardwatson1903]

good one!

[@CJCS1111]

If there were an authority or appointed leader on photography, it'd be you. You're great at this! I've had this informal interest going back to the 80s (even took photography one year in HS), but you have inspired me to take action with it. Thank you for that!

[@Pixelwaster]

Andreas Feininger sounded really familiar. Then it hit me, he had a column in Popular Photography call Feininger's Workshop! Sort of the Ted Forbes of 1949. Thanks for the videos. My club, The PhotoKenosha Group, used your Photography Basics videos to get back to basics.

[@davidrothschild8913]

I really love Friedlander's self portraits in terms of depth and layer

[@xicoxk]

Hello Ted. Thanks for all your videos specially the ones more "academic" about history, photographer's work and photography themes. Just wanted to say that in this case it is all about the concept/definition of Self Portrait. For example, and if i am not mistaken, Cindy Sherman always said she does not make Self Portraits. She photographs herself as model cause it gives her more freedom and cuts the time trying to explain to another model what she wanted for a specific project. What is a Self Portrait? if I use a timer or a cable release or instead a i frame all the photo and then ask someone do serve as a remote and press the shutter? in Art the concept of self portrait was directly associated with the face, so if a photo is taken by a photographer but only shows his/her reflection or distortion or some kind of self projected shadow... is that a self portrait? :) just a few thoughts. and thank you again.

[@arrow-from-the-sun]

Thank you very much once again for an inspirational and cheerful video! During the past couple of days I've, again, stumbled upon such a huge amount of negativity and name calling on KZbin, that I wanted to just drop a line and thank you for keeping things positive and sophisticated. I especially love the videos that you did, oh maybe couple of years ago, when you had a strong academic vibe in your videos - the ones about composition and other art theory subjects (and you wore glasses and a blazer). I still keep getting back to those episodes when I'm the mood for some legit theory-porn. I also got to know John Free's work and teaching via your channel. I've watched all his videos about a million times since! :)

[@paulreitanodotcom]

For me, Robert Mapplethorpe's 'Self Portrait" (1988) is as powerful an image as I've seen in this genre.

[@Duckshots]

Please do more shows on self-portraits. I have a number of questions about the process. Am an avid self-portrait maker. Sorry I didn’t know about the assignments. Where do I start? How do I ask a question or suggest a topic?

[@majopgalli]

Great input Ted!! Related to conceptual work if you can have a look of the fantastic work of the Mexican photographer Ana Casas Broda! Most of her work is in that search.. one if her books took her 14 years work and the second 7 years. I met her in Chile at the International Photography Festival of Valparaiso where she was invited. Loved her work!

[@harlemhomie123]

Heyy, Love your work and I’m an avid watcher. Just wanted to let you that stanley kubrick and Frida Khalo were two individuals who could’ve easily fallen into this “echelon” , as you phrased it. I would interesting to get your take on there work doing “self” portraiture. I’m a 20 year old student, photographer and I work in television. Your work keeps me going and I’m truly appreciative of your consistency and perspective on the subject you take on video to video. Thanks

[@roysummers1026]

Thanks...keeping me inspired

[@richardwatson1903]

You have a great voice...it is easy to listen to.

[@cimotabe]

thank you for this video!!! I loved it

[@nerwin]

Every time I try to take a self portrait, my camera turns off. Hmm. Great video Ted, its really interesting to see that even photographers way back then also did self portraits with their camera in frame. I thought it was kind of cliche but whether we like it or not..the camera is essential part of our life. It's part of us and it should reflected in a self portrait.

[@gtroutman15]

Great Video! Do you have links to the archives of Andreas Feininger's Time Photos? Trying to find the articles he shot for after being inspired by your spotlight, many thanks!

[@RodClark]

Another great video Ted. I'm a big fan of Edouard Boubat. His name might not be familiar to everyone - but he had a mirror in his studio that was light by a glass block wall and he took a ton of shots there (google it). The one of note is his shot of Juliette Binoche.

[@theartofphotography]

Excellent shot indeed

[@richardwatson1903]

I went to Pinterest and found his "best" photos. They are all black and white. It's funny how b&w can make more of an impact than color. THAT seems counter-intuitive.

[@Astyanaz]

What is the camera being used in the thumbnail?

[@Divineshot]

Great content, looking forward to the next video. :)

[@CapitanBastos]

I've been meaning to do your photo assignments, but I always forget 😂 This time I've actually put it in my calendar. With daily notifications. I think perhaps I need a carer or personal assistant or something. I love these assignments and I learn from them and use them in my videos and on Instagram. Thank you.

[@Beakerzor]

game on! I'll remind you daily, no ... hourly.

[@Beakerzor]

Anyone else need hourly reminders? Reply here. Warning: there will be no way to turn off the reminders. By replying you agree not to mute the reminders in any way.

[@CapitanBastos]

Beakerzor thank you for being my carer! ❤️ I look forward to seeing your face every hour.

[@Beakerzor]

Capitan Bastos if you want that 1 in 1000 chance shoot, you have to be willing to take 1000 shots!

[@MrRaouldevos]

Thanks for this great video. I really love it. Why did you not talk about Anton Corbijn?

[@Barzyz01]

Awesome, submitted my first photo assignment! w00t!

[@sambitmitra3207]

The thumbnail is really nice👌

[@appledadlife]

Another great episode, thanks for making it.

[@IsaacMoscovich]

Great one!

[@Consultelainewilliams]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@RajanLakule]

Hi, I had submitted images with #13 an ago when you first mentioned this assignment in your video of assignment #12. Do I need to resubmit them or the images submitted on Instagram can be considered?

[@bcomhaire]

It is kinda funny that I always get beer commercials when looking at one of your videos. Been going on for several months now. I guess must be something about you that makes youtube decide that beer is a good match... ;)

[@vordumen]

Awesome Zorkiy you have!

[@CaptTerrific]

Wow... no chance of getting a submission in for this one :/ 6 days to plan, shoot, develop + scan... grrr. Still, a valuable assignment that I'll no doubt complete for the sake of educating myself and expanding my photo experience :)

[@mihaichiriac480]

Can someone explain me why he has both eyes covered and what is that thing connected to camera in the thumbnail?

[@caterinanasini1320]

I think Lee Friedlander would have been a great inclusion as actual self-portrait in this video :)

[@hokeypokeypo]

The BEST!

[@TheProductPower]

Cool content. Thanks.

[@neillawrie9239]

Not forgetting Francesca Woodman

[@inallmygrace-rawrealflawed7236]

And it is submitted on Twitter. I hope you like the as much as I do.

[@CapriciousBlackBox]

Fortunately, Vivian didn't resort to duck face lol.

[@josecamacho4013]

what’s the camera in the video image??

[@nico.m8346]

maybe a ZORKI 4?

[@nico.m8346]

ZORKI 3

[@PhottixHQ]

Thanks, much appreciated.

[@shegamesbadlyb.1635]

I forgot, how do we share the photos with you?

[@pbsalfen]

Video link in the description.

[@zakplunkett8629]

Nice vid

[@mhsvz6735]

Thanks.

[@stewartmarsden5919]

Lee Friedlander!!

[@jaredterorotua2201]

Deeper pixels

Selfies, we're doing selfies

[@stephandjulien]

I am my worst subject. I'll try and come with something interesting

[@dadobbs]

Andreas Feininger

[@SamiSerola]

Please share also at Facebook ;-)

[@NextScamdemic]

I guess you don't need a flippy screen after all

[@Jess-vr9tz]

take a shot every time he says context

[@mayabz5300]

💛

[@kbqvist]

I find Christina Nuñez approach to self portraits an extremely interesting one, with implications way beyond photography. Her work could easily be the subject of a seperate episode :-)

[@sintram10]

lots of talanted jewish photographers. Didnt know that :)