A quick self-portrait...

[Manta]

As my last SP was a poor satirical copy of Macka's magic PotW, I thought it was high time I posted a more serious one. The sax is coming along... I can actually make some noises that sound, sort of, like jazz. Or blues. Or yodelling.

C&C very welcome - but kindly refrain from any comments regarding cosmetic surgery. I'm saving my money for lenses. Oh and the shirt is NOT on inside out!!!

[PiroStitch]

very nice simon

since you're a sax player, maybe try something a bit more moodier (ie. low lighting, heavy lighting on one side, smoke(?), etc) with you playing the sax.

[the foto fanatic]

I remember a joke from long ago about this drunk peeing in a gold toilet...

[Geoff]

Simon, this is a good shot compositionally and the lighting looks spot on, you look scared though!

By the way, what's the black background?

[Manta]

Wayne - yep, I'd love to try something like that. Be great in a smoky bar, but we're not aloowed have them up here anymore!

Trevor - That may improve the sound somewhat...

Geoff - that's my garage! I'm standing in the doorway. I balanced the afternoon light coming through my west-facing front door (right of frame) with a small silver reflector off to the left and tried to throw the garage area into complete shadow. Didin't work exactly as planned, in the origianl shot, you could see the dim outline of a ladder and a shoe rack behind me! A little selection and curves adjustment saw them disappear.

Oh - I always look scared when I'm at the wrong end of a camera! Don't you?

[blacknstormy]

For the record, are you SURE your shirt isn't on inside out ? It seems to be the same shirt you wore on Saturday, so maybe just hasn't been washed yet, and using the 'you can wear the same pair of undies for 4 days' rule here??????



Rel

[Suri]

No disrespect intended as my own taste is abismal, but the shirt is a shocker for a photograph, the strips are an eye strain - but hey guess that must be you.

The composition is fine - can't even tell your counting down from 10, or is it watching for the speeding flashing light.
Well done and good luck with the Horn.

Look out, and don't step in front of a Yellow Ford XR - it could be me, cause we live in the same suburb!!

[Manta]

For the record, are you SURE your shirt isn't on inside out ? It seems to be the same shirt you wore on Saturday, so maybe just hasn't been washed yet, and using the 'you can wear the same pair of undies for 4 days' rule here??????



Rel

Saturday's shirt was khaki Rel, though it did have stripes.

Suri - sorry the wardrobe doesn't cut it. I'll keep an eye out for your blue oval.

[big pix]

not a good look in that shirt as it does not work with the overall feel of the pix......... but good capture....... btw.... is that sax straight

[Manta]

not a good look in that shirt as it does not work with the overall feel of the pix......... but good capture....... btw.... is that sax straight

I obviously need to go shopping with Rokkstar sometime.

[blacknstormy]

[big pix]

[owen]

Play that sax manta! I think it would make an awesome pic if you were actually playing it rather than posing with it. Cheeks blown, veins popping, red faced - all would make a great photo

[gstark]

btw.... is that sax straight

No, it's gay.

Which provides an explanation for the shirt, btw.

The lighting is well balanced, Simon, and the curves adjustment pulling the background down has worked well. Now you just need to learnhow to play the instrument, and you can come down and join me for a jam.

[Oscar]

Well I see a very "polished sax" player! Great composition Simon. I think polkadots would have looked great. Cheers, Mick

[marcotrov]

I like it Simon. For what you attempted the exposure and skin tone are spot on Simon. You have really made me jealous. My son plays that thing brilliantly but has no interest in doing so. I'd practically give an arm to play it (though a one arm sax player would indeed be interesting ) and I'm a musical 'neanderthal'. Oh for the time a modicum of talent and the intestinal fortitude to do what you are doing
Simon I do agree with the others explore the down and dirty lighting that give the sax(sex) its appeal Go for it shock us. Make me even more envious
cheers
marco

[stubbsy]

Simon

Everything about this image works EXCEPT for that shirt as already mentioned. The stripes dominate too much. get a nice plain shirt for your next attempt (a white long sleeve rolled up would look good) and maybe a hat

[Manta]

Thanks all for the comments. This was basically a last minute decision for a self-portrait, for the digitalslr forum. I certainly thought about all the ideas you've put forward regarding wardrobe, props and lighting but I just had to go with what I had. It was really just a shot of me, but I grabbed the sax to add a bit of interest. However, I like the idea of the sax-player project and I'll see what I can come up with this weekend. Probably improve it immensely by getting someone else to model for me!

Gary - I'm doing my best but I should proably just bring one of my guitars!