1.28.2012

i'm in... the picture

sp_1.27.12-17

so i made a daring decision to join urban muser's project for 2012 called in the picture. i say daring because, although i love the art form of self-portraiture, i am not at all close to feeling comfortable being in photographs... whether taken by others or myself {in which case i have more control over how the photo portrays me}. but the reasons i don't feel brave enough are also the reasons i wanted to join. i won't get into them now. i'll wait until the next time i participate in the selfie link-up party on urban muser's blog {or maybe next week?}.

i missed the link-up party yesterday, but it's only saturday morning, so i thought it's still okay to join in. i had taken some self-portraits yesterday after trying to get some spontaneous shots of issac with me playing on the floor. but i was not finished with the processing in time to submit them for this week's round {except for the blurry shot above}. so i'll post them later next week.

instead, for this week, i submitted a recent self-portrait shot... my book photo that i posted last week and used for my first texture tuesday submission.

schubert {1}

the in the picture theme for january is a piece of me... a perfect way to start out for someone who is a little bit afraid, uncomfortable or shy to look at themselves through the lens. that's me. so christy encouraged us to shoot just "a piece" or only part of ourselves... whatever we feel comfortable with. {by the way, you have got to see her ultra cool floating-in-air selfie!}

anyway, the prompt theme made me think back to this shot that only shows my hands. it was not meant to be a self-portrait, but rather just to highlight the wonderfully worn pages of my vintage book and convey a theme of open. but the photo was there, it was fitting, and i had not yet taken self-portraits for this week, so i submitted it. i'm getting a lot of mileage out of this photo {a convenient thing to do, for time's sake}!

in fact, i have been asked to submit it to a gallery showing... so excited about that, but i need to get it printed and framed first.

okay... that's it. the level of comfort that i can muster for selfies today is a mysterious level... in a blurry shot and a hands-only shot. but a little mystery never hurt anyone, right? maybe by next friday, i'll get braver. i'm looking forward to a year of exploring this project.

you can check out the first round of s.p. images by several others here... some who were more brave than i... some who, like me, went with a more mysterious approach.


In The Picture

32 comments:

helen tilston said...

Congratulations on doing something outside of your comfort zone.
You are beautiful regardless of how the photos turn out
Helen xx

Unknown said...

Congrats on the decision to do selfies. I've done a 365 self portrait journey and if you stick with it, you will b amazed at what you learn about you, life, important discoveries. It's a journey unto itself. Can't wait to see you through yours..

georgia b. said...

thank you, helen! =)

kelly, i like your comment, because i know there are a lot of people who are critical of people who do self-portraits... especially consistently and intentionally. but what they don't understand are several things about them, one of which is what you just mentioned. and it is actually one of the reasons i chose to do this. so thank you for that comment!

georgia b. said...

oh, by the way, kelly, if your profile pic is a self-portrait, way to go! it's an awesome photo!

Kimberly June said...

Glad you're joining in! Beautiful texture.

leanne can blog said...

I think mysterious works! these are lovely!

Bridget said...

I love your pics - especially the hand shot, the texture is awesome! I also find self portraits very hard and uncomfortable, because I think us women are our own worst critics. Hopefully this journey will get us all to appreciate something new about ourselves:) And thanks for stopping by my blog!

esra said...

These are beautiful. Love the light and the blur in the first picture. The hand shot is so lovely; wonderful use of texture. I love how it complements your image. I'm completely uncomfortable with selfies. But I do want to push myself and get out of my comfort zone, too.

Thank you for your visit and comment.

Andy said...

Excellent photo of your hands and the book. It's amazing how using simple things will turn out to be a classic.

Stephanie said...

This photo is so wonderful. The tones, the texture, the composition. Perfect!

admin said...

Love these!! your photographs are all so beautiful. Thank you for becoming a follower of my blog. I am so glad you did as now I can get to know all about your life through your lens too!

Zena said...

Gorgeous, love the photo of your hands and the book

Kathryn Dyche said...

Love that textured shot, great job.

Deborah Tisch said...

Glad you are joining us! These two photos are a great way for us to see part of you.

Jo Murray said...

Lovely 'selfie' Georgia. It has a real mood.

Cathy H. said...

A great way to begin!! I love the hands on the book! It has such a vintage feel and wonderful texture!!

urban muser said...

these are great, and i'm so glad to have you along on the journey this year! thanks for linking up at {in the picture}!

msdewberry said...

Your hand shot is wonderful. I think your use of textures is cool. I have so much to learn about textures. Self portraits are hard, I had trouble with mine all week! Finally got it done in time to post it!

Cheryl said...

I'm really intrigued by the shot of your hands. I like the texture. Thanks for following me.

georgia b. said...

thanks all. it's more fun to do this self portrait journey when you are doing it with others! it will make doing it all that much more interesting... and it's going to make it go by very fast, i bet.

Anna Lear said...

Very nice shots; I think we share similar reservations about putting ourselves on the other side of the lens. I definitely agree that having company makes this journey more fun, and I look forward to seeing more of you, too!

Andrea said...

I love this first selfie. There's an air of mystery to it. I think it's great you are doing this project! I'm far to scared to do a selfie!
And I love that book shot. It is gorgeous! And so very cool that you've been asked to show it at a gallery! That is really cool, Georgia. (Ok, using the word cool just sounds so dorky sometimes, but I really do think it's cool!)
:)

Kim Stevens said...

I love both of these, that book and your hands is just gorgeous! Like you and many others this is uncharted water for me, but hopefully it will become a little easier. I haven't been "in the picture" for some time now, and really need to change that. This will be such a great way to encourage and inspire each other!! : )

Nice to 'meet' you!

Lynne Daley said...

I remember how much I liked this photo when you put it in Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday. I still love it! Nice work!

pink sheep said...

beautiful shots...i can't wait to see the ones that are in processing! the book shot is my favorite...don't you just love the smell of books & vintage books hold a 'mystery', so i think it's a perfect 'selfie' for you!

good luck with the project & congrats on the upcoming show!

from the edge of the flock,
the pink sheep

Becs said...

Love both of these. Beautiful texture work on the hand/book shot which is such a timeless classic - congrats on being asked to show it at a gallery. Looking forward to sharing this self portrait journey with you. :)

Leah C said...

The way you see things...is absolutely wonderful and inspiring!! Love your "selfies"; I recognized your hands shot from TextureTuesday...so gorgeous! Like you, I'm a little(lot) shy about putting myself behind the camera:) It's good we can keep each other company, in a way;) Enjoy!

Leah said...

Love your selfie shot with the book.
The grainy texture is so interesting and pretty.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Cheers,
Leah

brandy-son Zen master flash said...

Great blurry effect!

My Captivating Life said...

I feel exactly the same way! Love the book shot!!!

stacey said...

Beautiful!! And Georgia! That is so great that you've been asked to submit to a gallery showing! How exciting! You derserve it.

And I haven't had a chance to respond to your latest comments on my blog. I loved reading each one. I always adore your comments because you take the time to write your thoughts that I can often relate to. Thank you for every last word. :-) I hope to return your email soon, but know that I am praying for your house situation!! xo

Catherine Denton said...

The decision was a struggle for me too--don't like being photographed. But it's taught me quite a bit already. I LOVE your book and hand photo.
Catherine Denton