Monday, December 06, 2010

I Heart Faces: Self Portrait & The Big 4-0

Ahhhhhhh, self portraits. Not something I enjoy doing very much. I am so much more comfortable on the other side of the camera. But tomorrow I start a new decade - yep, I'm turning the BIG 4-0! In honor of this big birthday, I had been thinking about doing this for a while, and what luck - this week is "Self Portrait" week at I Heart Faces. The only thing, though, is that I should have done it earlier - when it was not 32 degrees out and starting to snow! Maybe I'm not getting wiser in my old age after all. lol. The actual "40" sign I was intending to use was in between two train tracks in a not-so-safe part of town, but when I arrived, there were some teens playing nearby. Thankfully, within 5-minutes, my hero husband had spotted another 40 sign. This one was on a very busy, six-lane street. I was drawing quite a lot of attention. People were wondering about the crazy lady up on the street pole. :)

This shot was taken with my camera on a tripod (in the parking lane of the six-lane street, with my car parked behind it to protect it) and a wireless remote. To prepare, I had my husband (aka my downtown bodyguard and camera protector) climb up on the pole first and place his head where I wanted it to set the focus and exposure, then I had him step down and I climbed up, placing my head as close as possible to where he was. I had the camera on a two-second delay so I had enough time to move my hands and hide the remote and Voila!

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To see more of my self portraits (yikes!), you can click here.

38 comments:

Unknown said...

This a beautiful self portrait, and you look younger than 40! Great shot!!

Kelly C. said...

First of all CONGRATS on turning 40... im only 4 years and a few months shy of that myself! You look AMAZING and this photo is stunning!

ukreal1 said...

lovely and I'm a 40 with ya sister!

Breanna said...

this is a great shot!

Number 6 and no more counting! said...

Wow Michelle, this is beautiful. So nice to see your smiling face again.

Lea
xo

Tracy P. said...

OH MY, Michelle! That's such a treasure! I've been "40" for a number of years now. My favorite decade so far. I predict that, if you can embrace its arrival this way, it will be yours too! Happy birthday!

Tamar SB said...

Wow! Love this picture, so amazing, love the story of how you captured it too! And happy birthday!

Tamar

Holly Thompson said...

Michelle, I LOVE this! You are gorgeous and so creative, what a great way to capture your 40th!

fowler said...

Happy Birthday! This is an awesome idea!

Stacy Lee said...

Awesome self portrait and Happy Birthday! You look great. I'll be 41 this month and personally, I am loving my 40's.

Megan Traxel said...

How creative! You look lovely!

Marylin said...

That is a great selfie, and WOW you do not look 40!! :)

Laura said...

Oh I love this idea! The process done to it looks great, I'm just now learning how to add textures, etc to photos without over doing it. You are a great example of using great balance! Terrific portrait!

Glennda said...

This is great, I love it! Happy birthday =)

lisa said...

This is great!!

Anonymous said...

I love this! Happy Birthday!

Ronja said...

That is a great idea and a beautiful portrait. And I love the processing on the background!

I have been following your blog since before you brought Kara home, and when I just found you on IHF I had to make my first comment :-)

Marla said...

SO cute Michelle!! Love this!!! I'll be the big 40 in 2011 too. :)

Jodee said...

I love, love, love this picture! The story behind it is a hoot! Happy Birthday to you!

Briana said...

Gorgeous shot! Love it :)

Michelle R said...

Wow! I'd never guess that you'd be 40! Happy birthday!! This is a great shot - both in idea and execution. (off to find me a sign...)

Kinda fun to see another "Michelle R" who's into photography!

Brittany Meng said...

I am seriously impressed. Thanks for sharing how you worked you magic. Fun story.

Serline said...

Lovely capture! Both the photo and the sign itself ;-)

Sharon said...

Happy Birthday and great photo! As I was reading I seriously had visions of you climbing so high! LOL

Vero said...

This is fantastic. What a great way to commemorate your 40th birthday. Hope it is/was a good day.

Rebecca {RBF Photography} said...

Such a great photo - I hope you had a great 40th!

Jeni said...

You did an awesome job! Love it! And Happy 40th!

Cindy Knull said...

I love it! Life begins at 40! I just finished my first half marathon at the age of 41. So live it up! You're off to a great start. This self portrait is definitely one of my favorites! And congratulations on turning 40!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday my friend - things have been hectic and tough lately, but know I am thinking of you today:) Hugs!

Crystal Rae said...

WAIT WAIT WAIT... there is no way your turning 40. You look AWESOME! You are beautiful! Love your self portrait.

Amy Henderson said...

Love it! You look fantastic!

Christy said...

What a fun way to celebrate 40. SR 40 runs not too far from me, but unfortunately, I'm going to be needing a 50 and there's only a 52 around here.

Kristen Chase said...

I love all your recent updates, and this photo of you is amazing! So so so creative! :) Happy Birthday!!

Phoenix Chiu said...

Wow! this is a great shot and you look younger than 40!!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Love this self portrait as much as I love your Christmas Card this year...... beautiful!!

Hope 40 is treating you well!

Happy Holidays Michelle~

xoxo,

Lisa

Jewels of My Heart said...

That is so cool! A beautiful shot of a truly beautiful lady!

Rydley said...

Thanks for stopping by the blog, and happy, happy birthday!! Love the shot!! Love the blog redo too!

3 Peanuts said...

Happy belated birthday...this is a GREAT shot and I loved reading about how you got it:)