Shooting Large Format Self Portraits | Focus and Framing Tips for Headshots

In this video I demonstrate some techniques for setting up and shooting head and shoulders self portraits with no assistance. Popular techniques involve using mirrors or a wide field portrait where the setup is generally much easier. Here, I want a closer head and shoulders image, making use of shallow depth of field to make the image three dimensional.

[@ejmfoundation4446]

Thank you!

[@BasementShopGuy]

Excellent photo, excellent analysis and you certainly moved the ball forward in the craft ;) Well done

[@russellsprout2223]

Excellent LF portrait and an interesting setup. Great work. Atb.

[@markbails9896]

That’s really neat Rus

[@RandyPollock]

I really enjoyed the content in your video. Great job on the setup.

[@rjphotos]

Thanks, I’m pleased you found it helpful.

[@MattWeddis]

Great video and portrait Russell. I’m planning on trying a 4x5 self portrait in the near future. I’m going to try to rig up an ad hoc head ‘brace’ with a light stand and arm to keep my head in the correct place for the focus. I’m not sure how well it will work but I’ll give it a shot.

[@rjphotos]

Hi Matt. I’ve heard about that technique too, I think it could work if you can figure out where the focus needs to be.

[@MattWeddis]

@@rjphotos I'm sure it would be a better image if the focus wasn't on me. I'll work out a way. Or I could call in a favour and get someone to do the focus for me.

[@mcor1597]

Great tekkers and some good tips for when I try this myself, which Godox is that and do you remember the power? Ive just got a ad200 which I think will suffice although I might stop down to f11 just to be safe

[@rjphotos]

It’s a godox ms300. Comparable to the ad200 I would have thought.

[@peinmilan]

Amazing setup. I was thinking about something similar but could not find long enough release cable. How did you do that? As for the framing I would skip the hassle with digital camera if you already know where your nose will be, you can just imagine the rest, can't you?

[@rjphotos]

That is very true. Could use a dummy head or something else to frame. The key thing for me was knowing how much of my torso was in the frame. The shutter release is an air bulb release, it’s about 20ft long. Thanks for watching.

[@darrylroberts5235]

Great! What dark cloth is that?

[@rjphotos]

A Paramo one. They are better known for making outdoor clothing so it’s an odd sideline.