Thursday, September 17, 2009

Eolake self-portraits Sep 2009



Comment: why is your first picture so grainy? Is that due to no flash or...is it part of a specific type of "finish"? Is that Sepia (is that what it's called?)?? I like it...it's just...a little grainy.

I like the grain myself, it was lucky, I had not expected it. It was taken at 1600 ISO, which is high but normally not *that* grainy with modern cameras. But then the subject was dark, and that makes grain show more for technical reasons. And apparently the de-saturation and sharpening also enhanced the grain, particularly the de-saturation, I don't know why.

It is not actually sepia (brown-toned BW), but it looks like it because the original is very orange in the indoors light, and there are hardly any other colors, so it all looks brown when de-saturated. If there'd been something green or blue you'd have noticed it, but as it is, it looks like sepia.

Oh, and I had not shaven my neck for a day or two, and the stubble enhances the impression of grain. :-)

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31 comments:

Gail said...

You are truly Ageless!

Gregory Olinyk said...

I agree with Gail. You're like fine wine: improves with age! Surely you have more pics. Turning the table on you, how about some nudes?!

Ray said...

You should smile more - let the real you show!

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Ray, I included the second one because I know people demand smiles. But I like the first one just as a picture.

Very kind, people.

Nudes. Hah. I doubt the demand will be overwhelming. But I am losing weight, and if I'm ripped by summer, you never know.

BigLittleWolf said...

I've never met you, but I agree - great smile!

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

I tend to smile and laugh when I meet people, but I don't have an easy time when in *front* of the camera, I freeze up, so it's hard to get it natural. When I was a child, I once threw the most outrageous and uncharacteristic tantrum when somebody tried to photograph me.

dave_at_efi said...

Have you considered work on CSI? That first one looks a lot like William Petersen...

If it helps, think of meeting the person who views your picture -- you're happy to meet them, right? Let the love shine through.

And that second picture is pretty good, except for the flash...

Don Laster Jr said...

The second photo is much better. The 1st one looks like you are mad. :-)

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

"If it helps, think of meeting the person who views your picture -- you're happy to meet them, right? Let the love shine through."

Thanks, it should work like that, but I guess I can't get past the artificialness of the thing. Or I'm subconsciously scared of camera. Heck, I dunno.


"And that second picture is pretty good, except for the flash..."

No, no, no, no, no... it's artsy, see? Like when a movie star has messed-up hair or ripped jeans.


"The second photo is much better. The 1st one looks like you are mad. :-)"

That's what some think. I don't think so myself.

Anonymous said...

Ahoy Ahoy Eolake. Just a few days ago Ian and I were talking about our visit with you. You look no older than you did what...nine years ago? Has it been that long?

You are as beautiful as always, my darling correspondent.

xo Beth

I have forgotten my google info, so it is me, Beth, commenting as anonymous.

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Thanks, Beth, dear friend.
(Yes, nine years, imagine.)

What can I say, I try to live a relaxed life and concentrate on the beautiful things. :-)

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

I used the Panasonich G1. I really like it. The screen can be turned all around, so for example in this case I could compose the picture looking at the screen *in the mirror*! Otherwise I'd be working blind or be looking down, or have the camera cover most of my face.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

"My, Mister Stobblehouse, what big hands you have!
- The better to... «compose» you, my dear missie."

I see you didn't forget to say "Ost". :-)

But I also like the first one as a picture. Serious, yes. Looking angry, no.
It's always delicate to give the camera a nice, natural smile. I've stopped bothering to try more than a slight smile "on demand", and I let the candid shots get my smiles when I'm not "making them up". I like the result much better that way.

"Turning the table on you, how about some nudes?!"
Photos of Eolake naked? Please, don't tempt R.A.F.!
Especially if he gets all "ripped"... Right, Josie? ;-)

"When I was a child, I once threw the most outrageous and uncharacteristic tantrum when somebody tried to photograph me."
My Mom also hates getting shot.
Even with a camera. ;-)
[Lebanese humour. LOL! Come on, people, that was funny.]

"And that second picture is pretty good, except for the flash..."
Oh, there was a flash?
I *did* think that smile was unusually dazzling.
Excellent toothpaste or no excellent toothpaste!

Monsieur Beep! said...

A really happy smile you're showing in number two: "Good capture!" as the usual comment on flickr would go...
I hear you about what you're saying about posing in front of a camera: my flickr avatar is in fact showing me in such a tantrum when my father insisted on taking my photo (see those lips!)

ttl said...

Your smile reminds me of Jack Nicholson's smile. And that's about the biggest compliment you can give about any man's smile. :-)

Video blogging next?

Philocalist said...

Definitely NOT taking a 'pop' at you Eolake, but am I alone in thinking that the picture taken with flash makes you look substantially heavier (around the face) than the picture taken without flash?

artmanro said...

The one from the bottom it's really spectacular.A real writer with light as photographer means.What I can say more?I agree with those photo artists saying that "I you are planning a picture you can do a good one,but an extraordinary one you just do it."You are a natural visual artist not only in painting.Love,admiration and sympathy,Paul Alexandru Cazacliu artmanro@yahoo.com

Jaromir said...

Goody. I like its.

Leviathud said...

So that's what they mean by flashing a smile!

You look very mischievious in that second photo.

The Dissonance said...

The first picture appears contrived. The second seems more real and makes you look more like a model. I know that wasn't your intent.

Unknown said...

Wow... thats a great picture.

The person holding the mirror must be a real artist.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

I'm surprised anybody's even THINKING of asking for new nudes. Come on, guys, haven't you just been FLASHED?
And I'm surprised I'm the first one to say that! (^_^)

TTL,
"Jack Nicholson's smile"? Are you JOKING? ;-)
"Tell me, have you ever danced with the Domai in the pale moonlight?"

"The person holding the mirror must be a real artist."
LOL!

TC [Girl] said...

Handsome you! :-)

Patrick said...

Yeah, the first one is good, the pose, grain, toning all works together quite well.

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Ah, thank you.
Immodestly, I'm rather chuffed with that one.

Bruce said...

OK, I'm going to make a suggestion, take it as you will. ZZ Top has a song called "Cheap Sunglasses" that is fun to listen to.

You could have a lot of fun with some cheap sunglasses. They have some awesome models here:

http://giantvintage.com/

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

Sepia, yes.
Very interesting artefact, too.

"the stubble enhances the impression of grain. :-)"
Good one! (^_^)

Anonymous said...

You've got a real pencil neck there.

Pascal [P-04referent] said...

Whoa. That's one big pencil! ;-)

Zeppellina said...

I love the photographs, Eolake, the first one the most, but the second because of your smile..!

Zep..x

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Thanks, Zep.
Long time no see.
Send me a mail.