Hm, even if this might sound too pragmatic and earth-bound: You just have to practice. If you don't practice, you don't reach your goals, the ability to capture thoughts and make them eternal on fotos. Art is only 1% inspiration and 99% transpiration.. I know this urge to look away from self-portraits. When I started to make pictures of myself, they looked like you see your's: unrefined, amateurish (and I seriously considered only going out with a bag over my head, for a while). But this was the cause since they actually had these attributes. I only got better by time and practice - and of course discovering the mighty power of Photoshop did come in handy, too..

I think your picture is overexposed. This doesn't mean you produce rubbish, or you're to stay out of focus - that only means you have to readjust your lightning settings. Even a portrait of Kate Moss would look strange if taken with too much light.
I also would recommend to reduce the pic to the section of your eyes, to play araound with the RGB-Curves and perhaps to add a frame..try this out, I'm sure you'll gain some self-confidence by doing so!

And keep it up!

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<sup>Watch out my deviant gallery and leave a comment!

> digital & pencil anime, landscape& scenery drawings and bdsm+ fetishphotos are waiting for your opinion! <</sup>

I can't begin to thank you for your thoughts and ideas. I know without fault that you have felt as I do. It's challenging enough to turn the camera on ones-self, and I have a new-found respect for you. Your poses and portraits are gorgeous, and very 'adventurous'. I could never dream of having the courage to submit somethin so bold. You're truly a talented model and artist.

I deeply appreciate the constructive criticism. It's given me a direction, and something to focus on. It's disheartening to turn out something so raw, being surrounded by the blinding beauty and talent of dA. I'm going to take 'Mask' down for the time being. I'll post it again when I have something more professional to produce. Thank you!!! You're the best!

PS - CONGRATULATIONS on getting Oblivion! I'm SO excited for you! I've no doubt you'll fall in Love with it as I have. It's certainly worthy of it. If you need any pointers, or a helping hand, I'll do the best I can.

'Shadow hide you.'

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'I only regret that I have one life to lose for my country.'
~Nathan Hale

you know, I'm really glad you didn't take my words as an offense or anything, so you're welcome and I'm happy I could help!
..have you been experimenting with your camera recently? I'm looking forward to see some of your progress. And don't feel demotivated if you've got only a few really good pics after a fotosession..this is normal.

And about oblivion: I absolutely LOVE this game! (but my Computer doesn't, I deeply need some more RAM) It's soo cool, I just can't describe how good it is. ^^ Yet alone the new statistics - necks bitten, pickpockets etc..honestly, I didn't know how MUCH I always steal in such games, now I've got an overwiew. And I also considered startig a journal out of the perspective of my char (as soon as I have the time for it) after you mentioned it, I hope you don't mind me 'stealing' your idea. Do you still play it or is your first wave of euphoria already over?

Greetings..and blessings of the shadow upon ye.

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<sup>Watch out my deviant gallery and leave a comment!

> digital & pencil anime, landscape& scenery drawings and bdsm+ fetishphotos are waiting for your opinion! <</sup>

Thanks for taking the time to write! I have been playing with my camera a bit, I had one really good shot, but I deleted it like an idiot because I just started picking out all of the little things that were wrong with it. Regardless, I can always get more. Thank you again for your advice. I really appreciate it! (LOVE the new addition by the way (Reaching High), the coloring is unique, and you're gorgeous as always).

I'm SO glad you're loving Oblivion, It's an outstanding game. I played it for the about 2 months, and I am taking a break right now. I don't want it to wear on me. I've ALWAYS loved playing a thief, and I did play through the main story line, and the Thieve's Guild quests as a thief. At this point, I've started a more 'respectable' character, a warrior. I'm working on the Fighter's Guild and the main story line as well, but I'm being a lot more thorough. I explore everything I find as soon as I find it. I doubt I'll ever see all there is to see in the game, but I'll do my best! It's excellent. I have no reservations about you 'stealing' my idea. I would LOVE to read a journal from the perspective of your character! (and I'm happy to know I'm not the only player with sticky fingers ). Have fun!

'Shadow hide you.'

--
'I only regret that I have one life to lose for my country.'
~Nathan Hale

Thanks for saying so about my photo!

Well, I already joined the guild myself, but I haven't played the whole quests, only the first one so far - I'm always more the exploring type, searching 'hidden' quests and so on, taking a lot of time to see as much as possible..but of course thievery is interesting, so I'll play these quests, too.


(I always keep me the main story until I think I've seen everything I want). So you're getting more respectable, huh? How do you resist the temptation of an abandoned jewelry, lying in front of your nose (but unfortunately belonging to someone else) ?
I tried to do so in Morrowind, but it has always been such a struggle to leave unguarded things where they are that I nearly lost the fun on playing my 'loyal guy'. Despite from tha fact that I just can't trust those 'brave' guilds, I always have the feeling that 'honest' characters in Tamriel are much more misled than those who are their own gouvernors..

Oh, and btw, I started my journal - I never thought I'd submit something under prose one day, but writing is fun, I guess..so thanks again for the inspiration! Of course I mentioned you giving me this idea!

Greetings!

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<sup>Watch out my deviant gallery and leave a comment!

> digital & pencil anime, landscape& scenery drawings and bdsm+ fetishphotos are waiting for your opinion! <</sup>