The "Self- Portraiture" Story

It was an ordinary day. On our way to the Caribbean. Doesn't really matter where, since this story is about documenting our journey, no matter where our destination. Every time we fly somewhere we always take a photo when we first get settled in our seats on the plane. Sometimes, if we fly with friends, we will have them take it, but most of the time either I take the photo or Carol will take the photo. I have a larger DSLR camera that is the better of the cameras I take on vacation, but for this shot we always use the smaller point and shoot digital. I put it on the "Scene" mode and set it to "Fill Flash" to make sure that the flash will go off. Sometimes if the camera is pointed toward a window, the flash will not go off and then allyou get is a sillouette. Hold it at arm's length, GUESS where it is pointed and shoot away. Sometimes I need to take a half dozen before I have both of us in the frame and don't have the heads cut off. Get some pretty funny shotstrying to do this. By the time the final try comes around, we are both laughing so much, we usually have a great shot. Sets the mood for the vacation! Found a great article in "Wired" magazine the other day that gives you some tipson how to take a great self-portraiture. Theygive you three different ways to take the picture. One way, looking into a mirror, certainly wouldn't work on a plane, but the other two would work. One way is to turn the camera upside down to make it easier on your arm. Also gives you softer light. Final way is to hold your camera high, about at a 45 degree angle, to help eliminate any double chins. A double chin is the last thing I need when taking a photo. It still can be a challenge, but worth every click or the camera. Most times we willrepeat the event on our departure. A real plus for a digital camera, since you can try and try again without the cost of the film and prints. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - top 3 photos are self portraitures on the plane while the last next one was taken while on a Rhino Boat (big jet ski) tour in St. Martin. We were flying over the waves and I attempted to take a photo of both of us. Almost worked! Chart on bottom came from Wired Magazine.