I'm wanting to take some self portraits...here's what I have..what can I do?

Question

I have several spotlights a tripod and a digital point and shoot (sadly). I also have lots of fabric that I can use for a back drop but I'd like to take the photos outside. what are some ideas that I can do...it's summer...obviously...and i live in Texas so everything is pretty much brown...and hot..blech!

Answer 1

you can do self portraits with any camera with a timer or a remote shutter release. Put the camera on the tripod And place the camera different places to take pictures of yourself. Try different angle, different background and different lighting. ISet the tripod low shooting up at you with the sky for the background, or find a good brick wall or stone wall for a backdrop. Try to keep the backgrounds simple as you want them looking at you not the background. Reember your composition rules. f you use the spot lights its going to give a hard edgy look. You may be able to bounce them off a white wall to get a softer light. Colored walls will put a color cast on the light reflected off of them Try using the light comming in a window. One good thing about digital is that your mistakes do not cost you anything, With film you had to pay to process and print to see them. So shoot away and only keep the ones you like. Remember what worked so you can use those techniques again in the future and have fun  

Answer 2

Well I also live in Texas, I yes its way to hot. If you have spotlights, a tripod, and some fabric your all good. If you really want take the photo outside, there tons of landmark type statues, buildings, and such around any major metro area (ie, Houston, Dallas, Austin, etc.) and if your like me living near Dallas but just outside there are TONS of ranches with cool old barns, fancy gates and best of all there is Southfork Ranch the setting for the show Dallas.