A 3-Step Guide to Taking Self-Portraits on Film

The process of capturing a self-portrait on film can be a meaningful experience. It's often a photo worth remembering; one that resonates with the moment it was taken.

Taking a self-portrait can also be intimidating at first. You are in control of every aspect of the photograph, and aware that there are limitations, with each shot being numbered. But when everything aligns, it can result in a portrait that is deeply personal and reveals something, whether big or small, about the photographer themselves. @eparrino put it best in her in-depth article on self-portraiture, sharing:

“When exposing their face to the camera, the photographer is asking themselves questions. These may be technical questions, such as where to position themselves, but the decisions also enhance what they are trying to say to what feeling they are embodying, becoming a symbolic reference of a mood that can be collectively felt and shared by others. But can we escape the mask that we wear after pressing the shutter?”

We have created this 3-step guide to help you navigate the world of self-portraiture on film with more ease and confidence. While there is no specific rulebook on how to take self-portraits, we hope that these serve as a good foundational approach. We have also included additional tips and practical notes shared by LomoAmigos in their Lomography Magazine interviews.

As a general rule, here are some key elements to consider:

A. Aperture
B. Shutter speed
C. Film stock
D. Manual focus or Auto-focus camera
E. Zone Focusing

Since everything will depend on the kind of vibe and image you want to create, each adjustment and each decision should serve its purpose. Therefore, the first step is conceptualization, followed by production set-up, and photo execution.

1. Think of a Concept

Building on a theme or concept you’d like to actualize onto a 35 mm, 120, 110, or instant image would be the backbone of on image. What symbols and motifs would you like to include in the photo? How will they be represented and translated into the photograph? What props, camera equipment, and settings would you need to set-up and prepare beforehand?

Miriam Gomez shared in an interview how her self-portraits were heavily inspired by the works of female photographers she has admired for years; with bits of their voices and distinct styles sprinkled and imbued throughout the images she produced:

“It occurred to me to explore the work of several of these women artists who have inspired me throughout my career and that I keep in my thoughts – immersing myself in their works, in their creative process, exploring the sense of reaffirmation through their self-portraits, and creating synergies between their visual language and mine.” – Miriam Gomez

Going deeper into exploring the chosen concept for a self-portrait shoot, it is important to be in touch with the purpose and intention, so much so that the result is reflective of what we had envisioned for it. Lomographer @lisafot shared in a previous interview how she opted to capture the passage of time on instant film:

“For self-portraits, I see them as a form of self-expression and introspection. I'm also fascinated by time and how we all change over the years and it's another way of noting these changes.” - @lisafot

2. Prepare your Camera and Lens

With a theme and concept set, it's essential to consider the film format, camera, lenses, and accessories that will help bring your vision to life. What technical gear do you need to prepare in advance, and which film format would best complement the kind of imagery you aim to create?

Varying film formats and their stand-out qualities:
• 35 mm: A go-to format to produce nostalgia-inducing images.
• 120: A popular film format for portraits due to its fine grain, large frame size, and image scale.
• 110: Relatively smaller-sized images with a postcard-like quality and plenty of grain.
• Instant: Produces beautiful memories you can hold in your hands in an instant!
• Large format: Incredible image quality produced on 4x5, 5x7 or 8x10 Sheet Film.

Overall, it’s best to be mindful and work around the set ISO from the film stock you’ve loaded onto your camera. Feel free to adjust the aperture and shutter speed when necessary, especially if it's important for certain elements to be in or out of focus. Note that having an aperture of f/5.6 – f/8 is generally a good rule of thumb to start with, but feel free to explore other aperture to shutter speed combinations that'll be more suited to your photo series.

In a previous interview with @volatilephoto, she explained how she used her Nikon F100 and 50mm F/2 lens paired with the Lomography Color Negative ISO 800 for her self-portrait photoshoot where she wanted to highlight the theme of self-reflection through incorporating floral elements.

In another interview with Jess — a nomadic creator and landscape photographer — she shared how she opted to use her Yashica Mat 124G (a TLR medium format film camera) paired with the Lady Grey B&W 120 to create a soft and timeless touch to her images. Looking to capture the meaning of “memory” found within a self-portrait series, it was invaluable that her chosen gear and equipment would support her in that endeavor and image exploration:

“I went with the Lady Grey B&W 120 because of the film speed. Over the last few years, I have mainly shot in color so I knew I was a bit out of practice with black and white film. I typically always shoot with a 400-speed color film and though black-and-white film is still different, it just felt a little more comfortable choosing this stock along with knowing the lighting conditions I would be in that day.” - Jess

3. Use a Timer or a Remote Shutter Release

To ensure the utmost stability and clarity in your self-portrait images, mounting your camera on a tripod or propping on any stable surface is the way to go. In this sense, you’ll feel more confident with setting everything up in frame — zone focusing, aperture, shutter speed, timer — and ensuring that the important elements are all in full focus.

In a conceptual self-portrait series by Lou McCurdy shot on the Diana Instant Square, they imagined what it would be like to exist in an alternative timeline where they take on the duties of a nun and what that would entail and look like. Pursuing this project on a more technical level required Lou to set up a timer and tripod stand. It was also from this experience that Lou shared a small but highly functional tip that’d be good to keep in mind for similar shoots: “Take advantage of the small mirror on the camera to set up some solo self-portraits or to make sure everyone is in the selfie shot.”

“I find shooting with my Diana such a breeze! I hiked up Arthur’s Seat for most of these images, with my costume and equipment I was worried about the weight of my bag but the Diana is compact and light enough to comfortably make the trip, even with all the lenses.” - Lou McCurdy

What other tips would you recommend when it comes to photographing self-portraits on film? Share them with us below!

written by macasaett on 2024-10-01 #gear #tutorials #self-portrait #tutorial #tipster