Shadowy Self-Portrait

This was a photo assignment for Steve Carty’s Live Photo review on YouTube this week. The assignment was to use light and shadow for a self-portrait while conveying emotion. It’s hard for me to conjure up a natural happy face on demand, but anger has been a companion of mine for quite some time now, so it’s easier to wear it. I made the decision to take my shirt off for the shot. Mostly because I didn’t want to step away once I got my set up the way I wanted it just to figure out what shirt worked best for the shot. But I also think it makes me more vulnerable by stripping away any shield or guard I’m hiding behind. I had a studio strobe set outside my sliding glass door with the slat blinds partially closed to cast more dynamic shadows while mimicking a setting sun. There were plenty of heavy hitters this week, but a small handful of other photographers and myself ended up winning “Best in Show!” Canon R6ii, 50mm 1.8. Shot at 1/250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 100