revjim.net

I could use a little advice here.

Self Portraits are hard. Daily Self Portraits are even harder. Here's the dilemma I'm running into.

There just isn't enough time in most any 24 hour period to think of a personally valid or appropriate idea, determine how to photograph that idea, set up that shot, photograph it, edit it, and post it. So, I have two options.

1) Post less often.

That's what I'm doing now, by default. As often as I come up with an idea, I'll photograph it and post it. If that's once a week instead of once a day, then so be it. This is what I'm doing now, by default.

Posting less often means that I'll put more attention on creating interesting images, instead of just any old image. IN the past 19 days I've posted at least eight self portraits that I consider to be valid, purposeful, and interesting. That's not too bad. Of course, new ideas are harder and harder to come by with each new day. But, more than likely, this means a good, well planned, well thought image once a week. Maybe more often than that. Quantity will be way down, but the quality will be greater.

2) Post less interesting images.

The focus will be on taking a portrait of myself. Period. Sure, it'll be well lit, cleanly produced, and photographically valid, but it'll just be a portrait. If all else fails, it'll be on a black or white backdrop. If I happen to have a good day, it'll be an environmental portrait in my house somewhere. If I have a really good day, it might even be an environmental portrait outside of my house. Of course I'd still work on interesting ideas too. I'd give them time to develop, photograph them when I have a bit of extra free time, and give them extra production attention.

Posting less interesting images means there will be a new self portrait nearly every single day. This means that I'll be forcing myself to work every day and try something every day, even if it's the same basic something I did the day before. This means quantity. However, posting every day also means that I'll be less inclined to experiment and develop more interesting ideas.

*So which do you think, overall, is the more interesting result? Which do you think will help me grow more as a person and as a photographer?* Your input is greatly appreciated.