Photo Assignment #13 deals with self-portraits in photography. Looking back on the history of photography this phenomenon isn’t just limited to people with iPhones.
Successful portraits of any kind use elements of aesthetic and conceptual thinking to create works. Vivian Maier is probably the most known photographer embracing the medium but there were others as well: Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Andreas Feininger, Richard Avedon and many others.
Music from Epidemic Sound:
Subscribe for more videos!
Watch More Videos:
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN PHOTO ASSIGNMENTS
PHOTO ASSIGNMENT #12 :: PUSHING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY
FUJILM X-PRO 2
Thanks for watching – if you like this video, remember to share it with your friends!
Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
2830 S. Hulen, Studio 133
Fort Worth, TX 76109
USA
My name is Ted Forbes and I make videos about photography. I’ve been making photographs most of my life and I have a tremendously deep passion for photography that I want to share with you on YouTube.
The Art of Photography is my channel and I produce photography videos to provide a 360 degree look into the world of making images. We all want to get better so lets do this together!
I make videos covering famous photographers, photography techniques, composition, the history of photography, philosophy and much more.
I also have a strong community of photographers who watch the show and we frequently do social media challenges for photographers to submit their own work. I feature the best and most interesting on the show when we do these so come check it out and get involved!
Comments
42 responses to “The Art of SELF PORTRAITS in Photography”
The best 7:28 minutes of my photography career. Keep up the great work!
thank you for this video!!! I loved it
Fortunately, Vivian didn't resort to duck face lol.
I find Christina Nuñez approach to self portraits an extremely interesting one, with implications way beyond photography. Her work could easily be the subject of a seperate episode 🙂
I guess you don't need a flippy screen after all
Very informative. Thank you.
💛
What is the camera being used in the thumbnail?
You should do an episode on Cindy Sherman. I think she's a great example of a photographer who is also very consciously a fine artist. The images you touched on here are some of her more subtle and accessible– but she has done such bizarre and provocative work, even just in the context of the self-portrait.
Great one!
Cool content. Thanks.
Great Video! Do you have links to the archives of Andreas Feininger's Time Photos? Trying to find the articles he shot for after being inspired by your spotlight, many thanks!
Thanks for this great video. I really love it. Why did you not talk about Anton Corbijn?
Can someone explain me why he has both eyes covered and what is that thing connected to camera in the thumbnail?
Please do more shows on self-portraits. I have a number of questions about the process. Am an avid self-portrait maker. Sorry I didn’t know about the assignments. Where do I start? How do I ask a question or suggest a topic?
Selfies, we're doing selfies
You have a great voice…it is easy to listen to.
And it is submitted on Twitter. I hope you like the as much as I do.
Hello Ted. Thanks for all your videos specially the ones more "academic" about history, photographer's work and photography themes.
Just wanted to say that in this case it is all about the concept/definition of Self Portrait. For example, and if i am not mistaken, Cindy Sherman always said she does not make Self Portraits. She photographs herself as model cause it gives her more freedom and cuts the time trying to explain to another model what she wanted for a specific project. What is a Self Portrait? if I use a timer or a cable release or instead a i frame all the photo and then ask someone do serve as a remote and press the shutter? in Art the concept of self portrait was directly associated with the face, so if a photo is taken by a photographer but only shows his/her reflection or distortion or some kind of self projected shadow… is that a self portrait? 🙂 just a few thoughts. and thank you again.
I think Lee Friedlander would have been a great inclusion as actual self-portrait in this video 🙂
I am my worst subject. I'll try and come with something interesting
Hey Ted, you should also check out Anton Corbijn's Self Portraits. What I find extra interesting, is that to begin with they are one of his few color photos and at firs glance it is him acting as famous band members, but as an introvert kid from a small town in Holland it is a reflection of his personality and the world he wanted to be part of. They are totally different than his other work but at the same time só Corbijn! Thanks for the assignment again!
Heyy, Love your work and I’m an avid watcher. Just wanted to let you that stanley kubrick and Frida Khalo were two individuals who could’ve easily fallen into this “echelon” , as you phrased it. I would interesting to get your take on there work doing “self” portraiture.
I’m a 20 year old student, photographer and I work in television. Your work keeps me going and I’m truly appreciative of your consistency and perspective on the subject you take on video to video. Thanks
Thanks…keeping me inspired
Great input Ted!! Related to conceptual work if you can have a look of the fantastic work of the Mexican photographer Ana Casas Broda! Most of her work is in that search.. one if her books took her 14 years work and the second 7 years. I met her in Chile at the International Photography Festival of Valparaiso where she was invited. Loved her work!
Every time I try to take a self portrait, my camera turns off. Hmm. Great video Ted, its really interesting to see that even photographers way back then also did self portraits with their camera in frame. I thought it was kind of cliche but whether we like it or not..the camera is essential part of our life. It's part of us and it should reflected in a self portrait.
Thanks, much appreciated.
Please share also at Facebook 😉
I can not locate the comments in which we post for this last #13 photo assignment. Can you guys please help?
Thank you very much once again for an inspirational and cheerful video! During the past couple of days I've, again, stumbled upon such a huge amount of negativity and name calling on YouTube, that I wanted to just drop a line and thank you for keeping things positive and sophisticated. I especially love the videos that you did, oh maybe couple of years ago, when you had a strong academic vibe in your videos — the ones about composition and other art theory subjects (and you wore glasses and a blazer). I still keep getting back to those episodes when I'm the mood for some legit theory-porn.
I also got to know John Free's work and teaching via your channel. I've watched all his videos about a million times since! 🙂
The thumbnail is really nice👌
Hi, I had submitted images with #13 an ago when you first mentioned this assignment in your video of assignment #12. Do I need to resubmit them or the images submitted on Instagram can be considered?
For me, Robert Mapplethorpe's 'Self Portrait" (1988) is as powerful an image as I've seen in this genre.
I really love Friedlander's self portraits in terms of depth and layer
Great content, looking forward to the next video. 🙂
Awesome, submitted my first photo assignment! w00t!
I was planning on doing a personal project with self portraits that tell viewers about who I am. I don't have much experience shooting self portraits and I was looking up tips on how to get creative with them. This video came at a great time and it inspired me to get started planning for my project! Thanks!
Not forgetting Francesca Woodman
Lee Friedlander!!
take a shot every time he says context
Funny, I've been on a photographic hiatus for almost a full year. No idea why, just had to stop, and time slipped bye. In the interim, I decided I needed to change the only image of me I use in social media, here on YT and the linked account for G+. And what I used was my favorite of the few self portraits I had taken. A reflective window image, B&W converted, with the actual red of the glass lamp bell in the background restored. I rarely like my own self portraits, especially in the "Selfie Era", so capturing the division of reveal and obscurity is what drove the frame I chose. I hope that makes sense, and doesn't come across as elitist or lofty. Anyway, all this to say I may join these assignments soon, as inspiration to start taking pictures again is returning slowly, thanks in part to your videos. Deeply appreciate your efforts and work. Thank you.
I forgot, how do we share the photos with you?