These are the 3 images I have picked out as my favourite for the self-portrait. This was a task I found uncomfortable at first however because my friend was with me, it made me feel more at ease and less embarrassed in public. I took a few shots with different facial expressions, with some being natural, and set the camera of self-timer to eventually get the right lighting and composition. My view on IMG_0063 is mixed, as I think it can be quite intriguing, as the expression doesn’t show an obvious mood but allows the audience to be able to guess and use their imagination on what could be going through my mind, especially with the eye contact. However, I’m not sure that I like the neutral vibe, and in a way prefer the happy expression on the other three images, which are very similar. I prefer the background of IMG_0041 AND IMG_0039 over IMG_0063 and IMG_0057, as I feel it is split more equally however in the other two there is one clear random pillar then a building on the other side, making it less symmetrical. The only thing that ruins the IMG_0057 is the fact it is slightly out of focus as I am moving which is why I’m not using this as my final image.
Even though the 3 images correspond with the idea of a ‘phatic smile’ and a smile in a photo is often common making it like any other photograph, I like how happy these pictures are. “We want to communicate ourselves as happy social people.” (Jones, 2015) and I believe this statement, which is why I am choosing IMG_0041 as my final image.
Jones, J (2015) The Guardian. Why didn’t people smile in old photos? You asked Google – and here’s the answer. Available from http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/12/why-dont-people-smile-old-photographs-google-answer [accessed 11 April 2016]