Guest-Directed Self-Portrait #1 (dir. Molly Peck):
(written for a right-handed person; if you are left-handed, please mirror the directions; if you have limited dexterity or mobility, a tripod or camera placed on windowsill will work as well) Use a camera (or lens) that will allow you to focus fairly close (arm’s-length) If you choose to wear a garment, choose something that says as little as possible about time and place and identity. Locate a window that provides enough sunlight to act as your only light source (if you have several to choose from, try them all to see which light you like best. Extra points if your window is near a corner so that a second wall will be at your back if the window is on your right) Raise the blinds, open the curtains…let in the sunlight. Stand with your right side almost touching the window sill. Step back the length of your foot, then sit on the floor. (If there are objects behind you that can be easily moved, move them out of the frame) Place your right elbow on the window sill, holding your camera aimed at your face from slightly above and to the right (it may be easier to let the back of your hand touch the window glass). Think posture thoughts (a balloon attached to the top of your head?) to elongate your neck even if you are in a slouching or crouched position. If you (like me) easily get a double-chin in pictures (only if you don’t like it!), think about invisibly smoothing your double-chin-prone area forward into space. Try not to say anything specific with your mouth. Place the pad of your left middle or index finger, if they are available to you, into the hollow above your collarbone. Convey longing in all of your fingers. Look down with your eyes (or close your eyes), and think about crushing disappointment (either feeling it, or causing it). Inhale. Exhale. Relax your shoulders. Just as you are about to press the shutter, look directly up into the center of the lens (as if you are actually looking into eyes that matter very much to you) while remembering our capacity for forgiveness. Press the Shutter. That’s it. The tumblr tag feature doesn’t work very well, so please let me know via ask if you post one so that I can share it. Feel free to tag it GuestDirectedSelf also (it couldn’t hurt, right?). Everyone who participates in this self-portrait will have a turn to direct a self-portrait for everyone else (I’ll figure out the logistics of that shortly— maybe guest-director order will be dictated by order in which first-participation-shots are received?) Let’s try to take them and share them within the next ten days or so? (I will add more information to this post, or make a separate FAQ post, but I want to get this up) I AM SO EXCITED. YOU HAVE NO IDEA.
EDIT/UPDATE:
GuestDirectedSelf is now is dedicated tumblr ( in an attempt to keep all of the magic stuff in one spot). You can SUBMIT HERE, but only if you don’t want to post on your own tumblr first (otherwise, just be sure to tell us that you posted, because the tag tracker doesn’t work very well/doesn’t work at all on NSFW tumblrs).
Guest Directors (so far— I will add more as more posts come in) in order of who’ll direct next:
paleskinbueeyes/beautifulhideousangelicdevilish
