The self-portrait photography assignment is a great opportunity to get to know each other, and express how we feel in the present moment.
In addition, whether you’re just starting or have a lot of experience it’s important to learn how you want the world to perceive you.
As a consequence, it will help you understand what you like or dislike and develop your empathy toward your subjects.
The truth is that most people don’t feel confortable having their picture taken. Therefore it is very important that you never feel obliged to do something you don’t want to.
And this is the magic of photography. For exemple, if you don’t want to have your face visible you can like Tarek use landscape and personal objects to create a powerful self-portrait.
From Self-Portrait to Selfie
What’s the difference between a selfie and a self-portrait? Is there any difference at all? Let’s discover some exemples from the past to see the endless possibilities you can explore.
Frida Kahlo's Self Portrait
“I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best.”
After a bus accident Frida Kahlo spent most of her life in physical pain. As a consequence, she had to go through thirty-five operations.
Self-portrait with Thron Necklace is about her suffering. This therapeutic experience allowed her to create a “second” self on which she could project her pain.
Mystery Self-Portrait
The earliest surviving self-portraits after Antiquity are believed to be those by the Flemish Northern Renaissance painter Jan Van Eyck (1390-1441).
The Arnolfini portrait is one of the most enigmatic painting of all times. Is it the painter in the mirror? As you can see self-portrait can be mysterious and playful.
Velasquez Superstar
In Las Meninas, Diego Velazquez (on the left), appears on the same level that the royal family of Spain making the statement that the artist can be more important than the work itself.
The Life in Picture of Countess of Castiglione
Countess of Castiglione, born in 1837 to an aristocratic family is now remembered among photography historians as a subject of 700 different photographs in which she re-created the signature moments of her life for the camera.
She acted like a producer and art director of the photoshoots long before the queen of selfie Kim Kardashian.
For me, a selfie is an attempt for perfection. We want to show the best of ourselves, in the best setting whereas a self-portrait allows us to show our vulnerability.
“There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.”
– Leonard Cohen
Exploring Identity with Carrie Mae Weems
Between 1989 and 1990 Carrie Mae Weems shot her Kitchen Table Series in her kitchen, in front of a wooden table illuminated by a single overhead light. To use her own words:
“I use my body as a landscape to explore the complex realities of the lives of women.”
Like Carrie, you can play with the assignment and create a fictional character to explore themes that matter to you.
Self-Portrait Assignment
Shoot three self-portraits using whatever you want, for e.g windows, puddles, shiny walls, your shadow or just take a selfie… as well as writing a short text to introduce yourself, and your ideas.
Tips:
- Before taking your photographs think about the light, and the mood you want to convey
- Create images that are surreal, humorous or emotional
- Include people or animal living with you.
- Don’t share more than three pictures! I know it is sometime difficult to choose but you viewer will spend more time looking at your images if you share a few.
- Have fun!
Inspiring Reference: Vivian Maier
“Vivian Maier (February 1, 1926 – April 21, 2009) was an American street photographer born in New York City.
Although born in the U.S., it was in France that Maier spent most of her youth. Maier returned to the U.S. in 1951 where she took up work as a nanny and care-giver for the rest of her life.
In her leisure however, Maier had begun to venture into the art of photography. Consistently taking photos over the course of five decades, she would ultimately leave over 100,000 negatives, most of them shot in Chicago and New York City.
Vivian would further indulge in her passionate devotion to documenting the world around her through homemade films, recordings and collections, assembling one of the most fascinating windows into American life in the second half of the twentieth century.”
Check this website to learn about her incredible journey.
Available on streaming on Amazon Prime and other platforms.
Lee Friedlander Self-Portraits
In the Picture Self-Portraits 1958-2011 by Lee Friedlander