July 2010
The story behind it
01/07/2010
I am photographing in Lisbon, for a commission that came from far. I started early, with good light, in the area of Graça and Alfama. I then followed to Bairro Alto, from the bottom, at river level. Always on foot, I went through the lower entrance of the incredible Bica Funicular. Ahead of me was the "Spectre" by Alexandre Farto, as part of the Project "Carris Moving Art" (in port.) - very photographable, I had my time along the way up. I even got a self-portrait, almost abstract, from among the graffiti, the singing sparrows, the hanging clothes and a radio playing out loud, from a window, somewhere. I enjoy the moment.Comment
Technical issues
01/07/2010
This is an example of panning, with a relatively long exposure (1/15s), at a focal distance of 12mm. But this time the thing was more demanding, since I am only about 1 metre from the funicular. Like so, the lens helps me to get a whole, from the ground to the top of the cabin. It compresses in the distance and dilates in proximity. The lens distortion and the rotating panning result in a more obvious blur along the ground, with arched shapes. For the long exposure, contrasts and colours where enhanced, getting back the colours that one would get in a static photograph.Critial review
01/07/2010
Just forget that it is "me". Besides the originality that one expects in a self-portrait, preferably relating aesthetics to personality in a useful and justifiable manner, the situation demanded for movement. The front of the cabin is fundamental to help identify a funicular. The top is not present, not getting background distracting details. The square reflectors cut all continuous lines and twist the obvious. There are also two other actors in the photograph, almost invisible, humanising the result. Simplicity, discontinuity, movement and humanisation were nearly a must, in a self-portrait that further gets you inside the "thing".Where you should place it
01/07/2010
Where to place a self-portrait? Imagine that it is yours. In a place that you see everyday? Or at the beginning of the day? Or at the end? Sharing your details, the good and the bad, everyday? It depends on the photograph as well as on the personality. In my case, and though I do not give my Ego a too a passionate importance, I'd place it in a lit corridor, a passage way. From floor level to ceiling height. This type of photograph, with no extreme demand for graphical detail, would put up to such upsampling.But let's be honest - a bit of Ego, with a clear and a self-analysing mind, is good.
