Friday, January 17, 2014

Focus on Life: Black and White Self Portrait.

Seeing yourself as others see you - sort of. 


Our Minimalist prompt for this week from Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime, is to create a black and white self portrait. I am one of those people who are uncomfortable with photographs of myself. As I grow older, I seem to become unrecognizable. For some reason, though I am fine with my image in the mirror, I am often horrified to see myself in a picture. 

So...I got out some props, and tried to create a character, so the picture wouldn't be so much "me" and more a creation of mine. 

Given limited time to use the trial and error method needed for setting the timer, then taking a picture, here are some images of the Cherry Hat Lady




And here is one that is more like the real me. 



One thing that year two of Focus On Life has done for me is to encourage the use of my camera in ways that stretch my skills. Can't wait to see what next week will bring. 

In the meantime, let's see what the others have done. 

25 comments:

  1. It's so great that you were able to have fun with this week's challenge! The Cherry Hat Lady looks like quite the character, but the real you looks like a lot of fun to hang out with...just look at that beautiful smile!

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  2. What a glorious smile. You most assuredly could not wear that hat in with the goats. It would be a snack in no time!

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  3. I like the cherry lady hat pics but the last photo sans hat is my favourite :)

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  4. How much fun you must have had, dressing up as the Cherry Lady and posing for the camera. Love your smile on the last one.

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  5. What fun photos of the Cherry Hat Lady! She looks quite taken aback, perhaps even perturbed, that you would take her picture. *smile*

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  6. Fun photos, but honestly I like the real one of you.

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  7. Ha! I think you need to write a story about the Cherry Hat Lady. She looks like she could get into some fun trouble! Love how happy you look in the last photo!

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  8. The Cherry Lady hat looks like fun. A prop might have made me less nervous. You have a beautiful smile. Great photos Beti.

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  9. Beti, I agree with Paula, I think there is a great story behind the Cherry Hat Lady!! The middle one is my favorite of the Cherry Hat Lady. Beautiful photos, so fun!! You have such a great smile!!!

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  10. Fun pictures, I love the Cherry Hat Lady

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  11. oooh, the hat was an inspired idea! You're a natural, Beti :)

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  12. You captured great pics of all of you!!

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  13. OMG I love these pictures! Never stop having fun with life ...

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  14. I just adored these pictures, and especially your beautiful smile! I'm so glad to see the lady behind the blog! :)

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  15. 'Cherry Hat Lady' is awesome!! And the real Beti is, too. Your beautiful smile and enthusiasm for life just shine through! Oh,...and I hear ya w/the photos vs. the mirror thing. My sentiments exactly.

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  16. LOVE it! It's such nice light fun isn't it to play a bit. I tend to fuss with my hair if it is down so 99% of the time it is tied up, I must have taken a zillion shots of me fussing with my hair, started to look like I was picking nits or something lol. Anyways I can relate. I'm so happy you ended with the real you

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  17. How fun that you added a prop! But I like your smile most of all. Beautiful you shining out! Enjoy the day! Erin

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  18. I like your photos, last one is wonderful and the Cherry Hat Lady is a hoot!

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  19. Love that third picture of cherry hat lady! I have a black hat with a veil.... would be perfect for this sort of picture!

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  20. Oooo what a great idea to use props...Love the hat! And great shot of yourself! You seem to be a very mischievous person.....

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  21. Cherry hat lady - what fun! Love the last one best, though :-)

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  22. I'm not participating this year but I saw your pics and just had to comment - how beautiful and creative and full of life you are! Keep smiling! :)

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    1. Thanks for dropping by, Lori! I just love that hat. but there are limited opportunities to wear it in modern day life! Creating a character was a natural!

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  23. Hi Beti, I'm a FOL drop out from last year, lol. I love the hat and hardly recognized you without it by the time I saw the last photo! This was fun. Great smile too!

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    1. Hi Debi! I was just looking at your blog the other day (too lazy to comment, my bad.) You are continuing to post beautiful photos of your adopted land. Keep it up!

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