Self Portrait With Snow

Gordon as Old Man Winter. I expected you to be tinier.

It is such a good self portrait, showing how harsh is the winter all around you.

and your skills to take it yourself, with such a good result and look( that has as well a hint of humour.Knowing you I felt that sense through your look and

form...;-)) .

 

Jack thought that you must be tinier, but with all the covers against the cold and snow....

Funny and good at the same time!

You don't look very happy here. I don't blame you. But... it is an excellent portrait.

Best regards.

FANTASTIC - this really brought a smile to me! Love the impossible to see through glasses. Great details on the balaclava and face, all nicely framed by your hood. I notice a white line going all around the hood - is that just light or is it where you had done a selection in post proc?

 

Wish you well for the New Year, and hope your Christmas was good. Sorry I haven't been around to study yours, and everyone else's, work recently, but work has continued to be flat out and I'm knackered. Just enjoying a couple of weeks off now with the family, before it all starts up again in the new year!

 

All my best.

 

Pete

Excellent. I am glad you posted this one. I think the expression, the composition, the moment are all wonderful. Nicely done and thank you for sharing it. Dan

OMG. That is too funny! Great job!

You really are too much! Actually, you are just enough, or just right.

 

This is a great portrait, self or otherwise. It has the sense of hyper-reality that you often achieve with your self portraits, enhanced by your use of the weather and its cause of strange and very affecting clothing.

 

I was photographing in Central Park the other day, after a snowfall, and was actually noticing how interestingly people look with scarves and hoods covering so many of their features, often with just eye peering out at the world. There was a guy, looking a bit like you do here, walking past speaking a foreign language and I wanted to ask him to pose for me (he was mostly in shades of green), and this is not unlike the photo I would like to have taken, with one of the iconic Central Park archways in the background. Anyway, I'm glad you thought of it. The weather, aside from physically exhilarating, does provide interesting views and challenges unlike the more moderate weather I've become accustomed to in San Francisco.

 

Boy, my lenses sure do fog up a lot, coming into those way too warm NY apartments after being outside for a while. Will be home soon. Hope your holidays are merry and bright.

I wanted to comment on this one when it first appeared, but since it wasn't yet available for public critique, but simply a self-portrait, I let it pass. But now that it's here and up for comment, um, wow. What a great portrait, all the way around. Your forehead gathered in a knot of frustration is where I start, and then I move around to the myriad of textures and experiences, fogged glasses and lining caked with snow. Once the lining has been spoiled, where does one go from there?

Excellent self portrait Gordon, terrific detail and expression.

Jack;

 

As Pnina mentions below , all those layers of clothing can be deceptive.

 

Pnina;

 

Wide angle lenses and long arms sure do help with self portraits :-)

I posted this image figuring that if it made you smile, it most likely would make others do the same.

 

Tim;

 

I was going for " funny " , I'll take " good " though as well, any time it comes my way, thanks.

 

Halina;

 

Thanks, the furrowed brow was a bit put on for the camera. I have a long tradition of not smiling for the camera. I actually do not mind the snow.

 

Pete;

 

Howdy stranger! You've been missed, I always considered you my partner in crime, when it came to self portraits.

 

You were correct about that line. I selected the background to darken it down some and did not feather it enough.Thanks for pointing that out, I have fixed it and reloaded the image.

I know work and family take precedence over photography but jeez! I hope you are at least getting the camera out on occasions, even if your efforts do not find their way to PN.

All the best to you and yours in the new year.

 

Dan;

 

Your enthusiastic comment on the bottom of my portfolio page, was part of the inspiration to upload this one. Thanks for both comments.

 

Joesph;

 

Thanks I am glad it brought a smile.

 

Fred;

 

Central Park is positively tropical, in comparison to Parry Sound but I know what you mean about some of the clothing people don, to fend off the weather. A few weeks back, on a morning were the temp. was minus 22 C. , I was stopped at a traffic light and a group of young school children were waiting to cross the road. I wish I had my camera with me as those kids had been clothed in some funny and quite extreme winter gear, by their parents. Several looked like little mummies, wrapped in scarves, hats coats and mitts.

I realise you are not often faced with the fogging lens dilemma at home, however I will offer this suggestion which I use all the time. Bring along a plastic bag which is large enough to put your camera and lens in, and which you can seal tightly before going indoors to the hot and moist interior air. Using this method, the condensation forms on the outside of the bag rather than on you gear. I use extra large Ziplok bags which take my camera and lens. I also use large clear garbage bags to put my entire Lowpro Trekker pack into before going indoors. Because of the extreme temperature variance in my area, I also place silica packs in the bags to insure that the small amount of air inside the bags stays dry. Once your camera and lenses have reached the ambient indoor temperature it is safe to take them out of the bags. Oh, the trials and tribulations of life at the 45th parallel .

 

Thanks for the well wishes for the season. The same to you Fred and all the best in the coming year.

 

Jeff;

 

My lane way in from the street is around 350 ft. long. I clear the drive as well as my parking area and a few trails about the property, with a walk behind snowblower. Quite often the swirling wind drives the snow from the exit chute back into my face. A brow wrinkling experience for certain and a great way to end up snow encrusted.

 

" Once the lining has been spoiled, where does one go from there? "

 

Hopefully indoors for a warm cup of tea and some dry clothes.

 

Drew;

 

Thanks I am glad you like this one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This shot shows me that you are as crazy as I suspected you were. May the crazed continue to do such nice photography.

Shawn;

 

I am happy to help confirm your suspicions :-)

Thanks for the advice about shooting in the cold. This was a first for me and I did well, despite a few fogged moments. Overall, I had little problem and my sweaters and scarves sufficed to give me hours of outdoor fun. Next time, I will know better how to prepare in terms of equipment and carrying cases.

Genial expression. Very good b&w. your miracle is funny. Good

although I'm envious of the snow, we are lucky if we get 1-4 cm, -26 C is a bit much for my sensitive body although I have a lot of acquired insulation ;-)

 

You're photo, not only is it a damned fine portrait which it is but I have to say as well that b&w doesn't get any better than this. Top of the line, on all levels. Wonder though why you still wear those specs ;-)))

Best damn self portrait I've seen in a very long time.

It's winter in Canada

 

And the gentle breezes blow

 

Seventy miles an hour

 

At thirty-five below.

 

 

Oh, how I love Canada

 

When the snow's up to your butt

 

You take a breath of winter

 

And your nose gets frozen shut.

 

 

Yes, the weather here is wonderful

 

So I guess I'll hang around

 

I could never leave Canada

 

I'm frozen to the ground!

 

 

 

I don't know who wrote this, but I think it goes with this wonderful self portrait.

 

Fred;

 

I am happy if any of my suggestions help with your next foray into the snow and cold. Winter in the north always requires that extra bit of planning. Nice that you got by, had fun and stayed warm enough.

 

Emma;

 

Glad you found this funny as that was my intent.

 

Ton;

 

I've live out in the bush of Ontario most of my life so I am somewhat less than sensitive these days. That being said, even I find anything below minus 25 a bit much. Once your hit minus 30 just breathing becomes a challenge and exposed skin gets damage in a few minutes.

 

The glasses stop the frozen snow crystals and bits of ice, which my snowblower launches into the air at high speed, from hitting me in the eyeball, a rather painful experience I can assure you. When the wind is really bad and the temperature is way down, I will wear a full face shield or even a snowmobile helmet.

 

Marc;

 

Great to hear from you. I'm glad you think this one works, I was just having some fun. I have dropped by your pages and found that amazing shot of ballet dancing leaves. I'll have to get back over and leave a comment. All the best .

 

Linda;

 

Thanks for that poem it is priceless. I have saved it to pass on to some other fellow Canucks. Winter is that season we Canadians love to hate but love all the same.

 

 

Hola Gordon. Nice to meet you! even in that cold conditions :-) Great portrait with your personal signature. Next summer I will emulate your portrait at +45 C degrees here at my village and perhaps we could make a collage with a a load of degrees in between. Have a nice 2009 and please, keep on going. Abrazos.

Hola Jose;

 

At plus 45 C. I am certain I would melt and turn into a puddle on the floor :-)

 

I shall look forward to your summer portrait. I will make sure to remind you next summer, if you should forget.

 

Allow me to wish you a wonderful 2009 and yes do please keep clicking that shutter yourself.

As someone who has just happened to come across this one by a happy accident, I think you do not object if I nominate your photo as the most appealing self portrait I've seen in a looong time!

I admit that the idea of repeating yours with another "self" crossed my mind as well.

Of all the ingredients, I only have the replacement self and a pair of glasses now.

I will be trying something similar as soon as I find a similar coat, a similar wheather and at least a bit of a moustache :)

I hope I can acquire enough expertise until then, also!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.

At this time of year it may take some time to wait for the weather to give some snow, the mustache will take a bit of time anyway so maybe both will be ready at the same time :-)

Hehehehe...photo is great! :)