Embracing Self-Portraits: A Journey to Self-Acceptance through Manual Lenses

Oct 5

Embracing Vulnerability, Self-Portrait by Ute Reckhorn, February 2023

For a long time, I avoided the camera. Like many women, I deflected compliments, shied away from self-portraits, and focused my lens on everyone else. But a few years ago, something shifted. I began to explore photography not just as a craft—but as a way to reconnect with myself.
This post shares part of that journey: how picking up manual lenses and turning the camera inward helped me move toward self-acceptance, curiosity, and deeper creativity.

Tips for Starting Your Self-Portrait Project

1. The Beauty of Manual Lenses

Working with manual lenses encourages a slower, more deliberate approach. It forces you to connect with your subject, be present in the moment, and embrace the serendipity of the process. This slower pace can lead to surprising results in both your images and your self-reflection.

2. Finding Focus with Manual Lenses

Manual lenses require hands-on precision when it comes to focus. To ensure sharp images, use a chair, a doll, or any stand-in as a reference point. Focus on the reference and step into your intended position. This technique minimizes out-of-focus images, allowing you to concentrate on your expression.

3. Understanding Depth of Field

Depth of field (DOF) is crucial in self-portraiture. Avoid super wide apertures like f/1.4, as they create a shallow DOF with minimal focus area. Smaller apertures like f/8 or f/11 offer a larger DOF, making focus more forgiving. Choose your aperture based on the story you want to tell.

4. Embrace the Creative Process

Frustration often accompanies creative endeavors. Embrace it as part of the journey. Experiment with new angles, lighting, and poses. Learn from mistakes, and let patience guide you towards growth.

5. Setting the Tone: Reflecting Your Life

Self-portraits are a canvas for your emotions and experiences. Reflect on your thoughts and feelings, and use them to guide your self-portraits. Props and settings can convey your message effectively.

6. Consistency Matters

Dedicate time to your self-portrait project regularly. Schedule sessions, share your goals with others for accountability, and let a routine nurture your creativity.

7. Drawing Inspiration from the Masters

Explore the works of self-portrait masters like

Frida Kahlo: Her emotionally charged self-portraits reveal the power of self-expression.
Cindy Sherman: Known for transformative self-portraits challenging societal norms.
Vivian Maier: Candid self-portraits capturing the essence of everyday life.

By exploring their work, you'll find diverse perspectives and techniques that can elevate your own self-portraits.

8. Exploring Creative Techniques

Dancing Waves: A Slow-Shutter Self-Portrait in Swimwear

Manual lenses invite you to slow down and experiment with creative techniques. Once you’re familiar with the basic use of a manual lens keep building your skill set. Try slow shutter photography, double exposure, prisms, and artificial light to add depth and artistry to your self-portraits.

9. Black and White vs. Color Photography: Expressing Emotion and Vibrancy

Color vs. Monochrome: A Self-Portrait Exploration

As you embark on your self-portrait journey, consider the choice between black and white and color photography. Each offers a unique avenue for self-expression:

Black and White Photography:

Black and white photography strips away the distraction of color, allowing emotions and form to take center stage. When you work in monochrome, light and shadow become the main actors in your composition. The absence of color can often intensify the emotional impact of an image. Use black and white when you want to create evocative, timeless portraits that focus on the raw essence of your subject.

Color Photography:

In color photography, each hue plays a role in conveying mood and narrative. Pay attention to why you choose specific colors; understand the impact each color has, both individually and in the overall composition. Color can be a powerful tool for self-expression. Vibrant and bold colors can convey energy and positivity, while muted tones can evoke a sense of calm and introspection. Use color when you want to add vibrancy and depth to your self-portraits, or when color itself is an integral part of your story.

In conclusion, self-portraiture is not just about capturing an image; it's about capturing yourself—the beautiful, complex, and ever-evolving you. Manual lenses offer a unique perspective on this journey, allowing you to be both the artist and the subject. Embrace the challenge, let self-acceptance bloom, and capture the essence of your unique beauty.

If you're on a similar path—or curious about using photography for self-reflection—I invite you to join my free Facebook group, Develop with Light. It's a creative space for exploration, conversation, and inspiration.

And if you’re ready to go deeper, I’ll soon be offering a year-long self-portrait workshop designed for women who want to tell their own story through light, shadow, and honest imagery.