Needed for this assignment

  • Camera or cameraphone
  • recommended: tripod
  • A window with daylight

Create a series of 20 self portraits using window light. This can be done with a phone or a camera.

You should be near or next to a window during the day. 

The window can be in the photo or you can just use the light from the window.

Pay attention what is in the frame and make sure the background adds to the photo and is not distracting.

Your photos should use light, expression and the relationship between you and the surroundings to be expressive. No props. If you have curtains or venetian blinds, you may use them as elements in the photos.

You need to use the camera’s or cameraphone’s timer. Set up the camera to frame where you will be. Try books on a shelf or lean your phone on the window sill if you do not have a tripod. Focus on the spot where you will be and press the shutter and jump into frame.  

Experiment with different expressions and gestures and different framing (how much of you is in the frame

Upload all to flickr self portraits.

Post best 2 in a gallery in open lab and discuss why you chose each one.

Post this to Discussion 5 under student posts

Here are some examples shot by students in Professor Pelka’s class: