Self Portrait Experimentation - Elastic Heart
A few months ago I started a journey of self discovery where I challenged myself to get out of my comfort zone and try new things. The idea being that constantly doing these things will help me grow as an individual.
One of the challenges was self portraits, as well as sharing them here on Steem as part of a blockchain journal of sorts.
I’ve always been a fan of the artistic nature of self portraits, as well as the emotion that can portrayed through a photo itself. And while learning a bit about photography, I’ve been attempting to do portraits as well.
I haven’t done any in awhile, but seeing as I’m trying to get back to sharing more and being more real and personal, I figured it was a good time to get back into it.
Looking through some of @hiddenblade’s older posts inspired me to grab the camera, some tunes .. and see what story came to me. She after all she was the original inspiration that got me to do them in the first place, so it only seems fitting.
I generally try to incorporate music or poetry with portraits, but felt that these all sort of told the same story, well in my head anyways. A more raw and exposed story of the resilience of our hearts, the unbreakable will we hold within, and the beauty of embracing everything you are, inside and out.
I hope you enjoy them and perhaps they can tell a story to you as well.
”I've got thick skin and an elastic heart.
I'm like a rubber band until you pull too hard
But I may snap when I move close
But you won't see me fall apart
'Cause I've got an elastic heart“
”You did not break me
I'm still fighting for peace...”
Much Love,
Justine
Photos taken with a Fuji X-T2/35mm
that song is the anthem of my life! great choice of song. :)
you look beautiful in those pictures btw! <3
Thank you! I really enjoy the song too.. awesome lyrics. ☺️
No doubt about that! <3
Hey thanks so much for the invite! I’ll try it out 🙂
Lovely and sexy. Enough said.
Thank you Drakos ☺️ 😘 *sorry for my late response.. I went a-wall for a bit.
Aaww, Elastic Heart is also one of my favorite songs from Sia. Love her much!! And glad I was able to inspire you with my silly portraits lol. My favorite is the last one. Those eeeyyes!!!! :O <3
Such a great song! It’s been stuck in my head lately.
Of course you inspire me, among others.. and they aren’t silly in the slightest, they are badass 😉
Thank you! I actually didn’t like that one and almost didn’t include it. Haha.. shows you really shouldn’t choose your own pictures I guess .. like Gandalf told me.
Thanks for the love ❤️
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Can hardly tell it is you - #nosmirk.
Great work.
Not a smirk in sight! I had to really hold back...
Thank you 😉
lele, you are gorgeous * ___ * warmth of spirit, kind of heart, and funny, and talented, and tenacious <3 and also good looking like a movie star :D waw!
so very brave :D i love the photos! the poses and the framing and the way you wear your hair are really elegant aaaaaaa
also that lines are so YOU, from elastic heart :D :D :D
LOVE IT \o/ !!!!
Awe thank you Spidey!!! You are so incredibly kind and always leave me the most thoughtful and inspiring comments, thank you for that ❤️
The third one reminds me of an old Hollywood movie poster! Nice pics :)
Old Hollywood is always a huge compliment, thanks so much I really appreciate that! ❤️
Really like the poses and the natural look on each one @justineh.
The only thing I would change would be the lights. They are a bit too 'yellow' and don't make your expressions and body shine and delivery the full potential on the shoot. Next time, if you can try to be in an environment with more white lights to see the difference. I think it will really help give your skin and lines some extra pop and smooth tones.
Also, some of your poses would really look great in a more black and white photoshoot. So keep posting more and experiment with different lights and poses since you have a very natural present in front of the camera.
Those are really great tips, thank you!
Light is something I struggle with, as natural is my favorite and so if that is not available I find it very hard to find pleasing lighting. I do like the look of “low light” but having more white light may be what I’m missing. Eventually I may actually buy some sort freestanding light which I think would really help.
I am actually playing with a few of the shots in black and white as well, as like you said, some just felt they may work in that as well. I’m a noob though and even noob in editing, but I’ll let you know if anything good comes of them.
Thanks again!
You're welcome! Even for a 'noob' like you said you are in the right track. The secret to a great photo shoot is being able to translate your natural personality and more important have some fun while doing it.
So keeping that spirit, I have no doubts that each photo that will come out from that camera, will get more and more stunning and professional.
I know how much you like doing this, but they came out just beautifully. Just plain lovely! Wonderful job!
Thank you very much! It’s funny, I enjoy the act of making the portraits now.. even though I don’t feel like I know what I’m doing.. but the act of posting them is still very painful, not going to lie. So thank you, I appreciate the kind words 🙏