January Challenge, 2009: Self Portraits

Well, with the 2009 Challenge now announced, I’m sure you’re getting ready to shoot daily, all year long.

Oh yeah, it’s gonna be great!

But, don’t forget about our bimonthly challenges. This year, we’re hitting the ground running. Right away, you’ll also need to plan on shooting once a day, for the January Challenge.

What will we be shooting? We’ll be shooting ourselves!

Since the 2009 Challenge is much like the standard 365 self-portrait projects, it only made sense to have you shoot yourself at least for a while. So, for the whole month of January, we’ll be taking a daily self-portrait.

I’m fine with the standard shot in the mirror, where we see you and your camera. However, you’re going to need to venture out and get a bit more creative eventually.

So, break out the tripod, and use your timer (if you don’t have a wireless or cable shutter release). Plan ahead and model for yourself. Pose yourself and look good, why don’t you! Get dressed up. Put on an odd costume. Ladies, put on some makeup. Get creative with some lighting. If you don’t have the ability to shoot with off-camera flash, then get a dramatic lamp, and use it, holding real still.

Oh, and ladies, those over popular shots of your legs, in knee-high, multicolor socks is getting old. Try something original!

A few important guidelines for you. Make sure you submit the photos on the same day that you shoot them. The goal here is to actually shoot and publish on the same day. Oh, and it had better be you in that photo, or else!

Once you’re ready to submit your work to Flickr, you’ve got to do two important things. First, make sure you tag your photos correctly; “januarychallenge2009”. Also, if you haven’t already, join the PhotoChallenge group, on Flickr. Then, submit each day’s photo to the group’s pool.