Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Self Portrait Challenge

You lovelies out there don't even know what a challenge this is for me. Besides the fact that I have a very normal household camera and I am terrible at taking pictures, inside, I hate having my picture taken. My eyes always look too far apart to me and I have a very fair complexion, which always makes me look sick...setting aside the fact that I have Lupus. Mastering the technique of taking pictures of yourself is....interesting to say the least. First of all, I can't get away from the vanity of it all when it comes to ME, not all of you out there! Thank God for that priceless 'DELETE' button, that always feels so good to push and you can usually hear me say, "Eeeewww, Yuck, Sheeesh, or #%&@!" with that feature. But I have learned something about myself...........when I'm not super smiling.........I looked pissed off!

Is this what people see when I'm shopping, walking around, or sitting in the mall to have a gander at other folks? Are they all wondering, what is SHE so mad about? When actually, I'm quite content on the inside and if I'm shopping........I'm in heavenly bliss (especially if I've purchased something on sale:) ~ I also noticed that I get really nervous just as the camera is about to click and I can feel my lips quiver? What's up with that? No one is home but me, I can delete it, and I'm the one taking the picture? Denise tells me it's just the camera. Sweet girl. And although the camera is average, it's not giving me the, "if looks could kill" visage.

I need some advice other than trying black and white (which took me 20 min. to figure out) and my hubs says a new camera is out of the picture (some cheese) for right now. Help!

I'm thinking warm thoughts and feeling lots of love for you all....even if I do look pissed.

9 Comments:

Blogger turquoise cro said...

Just have a second and thought I would seeeeeeee if Darlene had a post yet and there SHE is! You don't look pissed to me! Believe it or not! I HATE taking pictures too but this SP challenge has me having FUN! I think YOU look quite Beauty FULL! We all know you are! xo (((((Darlene)))) Girls just want to have FUN! so girly, lets! Love the soft pinks!

11:42 AM  
Blogger meghan said...

Well, you are braver & stronger than me - I've only ever posted one tiny tiny picture... so you are doing very well!

P.s. And I think you are beautiful!

12:35 PM  
Blogger Susannah Conway said...

my god, Dar, you are gorgeous! and i knew this already, but again i have to say it - you ARE. i know *exactly* what you mean about looking pissed off when not smiling - if i had a pound for every time someone in the street had said to me 'cheer up love, it might never happen' ... all i can say is, i can't help it! i have a small mouth.....

the self portraits i posted last week were very challenging for me too - once i'd got past the vanity issue i figured i should just 'come out' and let my face be seen. not easy, as i'm a harsh judge of my looks (and i always look so crap in pictures - one year my mum sent my school photo back because it was so bad - i think that's scarred me for life)

funny though - the bits you are critical of i love - your eyes are beautiful, your complexion luminous, your cheekbones *perfect*. you are a beautiful woman and i'm glad you're letting us see it :-)
x

12:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

you did a beautiful job...i love the vintagy feel. and that necklace is so pretty.

1:23 PM  
Blogger Colorsonmymind said...

Luminous

is all I think when I look at this picture.

You my dear are beautiful.

I could and sometimes am mistaken for being pissed off when I am not smiling. I wonder what it is?

Love to you gorgeous one!

4:53 PM  
Blogger ::Bek Geach:: said...

You are so beautiful Dar.
Really.
I had that ahhh "you too" feeling when I read what you mention about your eyes being too far apart.
That is how *I* feel *too*.
I blame all those silly magazines.
We dont all look the same.
And we need to celebrate our individual beauty.
Thanks for being brave and sharing a beautiful self portrait babes.
G O R G E O U S ***YOU***
Bx

8:54 PM  
Blogger Amy said...

To begin with, you look stunning, but I totally understand where you are coming from. I've yet to master the art of self-portraiture! It just feels so unnatural to me and my expressions seem so silly!

My advice? Take hundreds. You're bound to end up with one or two that will pass!

Again, you really do look stunning!
XOXO

11:37 PM  
Blogger claireylove said...

Hey I'm in the 'I look pissed off when not smiling too' club (ditto what Susannah says about strangers remarks). I just figure I don't smile all the time because I'm not inane.

You are of course beautiful. I think you look a little nervous in the picture beacuse that's exactly what you were feeling at the time. But I like that. The picture shows your humanity too.

I go with Amy and say take hundreds and once you are relaxed you'll look relaxed. I'd never taken a self portrait (I'd drawn plenty in my art days) until blogging. And now I know that I'm in control of taking the pictures and which images to publish (I used to hate having my picture taken) I feel a great deal more confident in front of the camera.

In a nutshell you are stunning, my love, and the confidence will come in time!

9:18 AM  
Blogger boho girl said...

michelle pfeiffer look a like...but better. ;)

you are gorgeous. always have been...always will be. this i KNOW.

she does have perfect cheekbones, doesn't she???

love you.

5:58 PM  

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