Saturday, December 16, 2006

Lens meets mirror


Nikon D80 gazes upon itself for the first time
Westminster, Colorado, November 2006 [Click to zoom in]

I've often written about what I like to do in hotel rooms (I know, this sounds bad. Bear with me, as I'm not being a perv.) The silence of these places can often be deafening. And as much as I enjoy the peace and quiet as a buffer against the unsettling feeling of being far from home and on my own, I feel the need to fill the space with familiarity. Lately, the camera has been just that

While I was in Colorado last month, I found myself with about 2 minutes to spare one morning. This was my new camera's first big trip, and I wanted to capture it in a self-portrait. Using an improvised tripod - the inverted cover allows fairly precise adjustment for better composition - I played with the mirrored door in the bathroom until I had the composition I wanted.

I know. Most folks see this and think it's time I find a real hobby.

Your turn: Do you turn your camera on itself?

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Only for the occasional self portrait.

I like that two-mirror effect... Kind of like the one you get when you're holding a small mirror over your head to assess the size of the growing bald spot.

Anonymous said...

You're too funny, Carmi...lol Love your extremely creative mind. Great shot! And no....I've not turned my camera on itself yet. (By the way...don't care for the Olympus....just ordered a new Kodak Z710. I have the Easy Share right now, the point and shoot and it's easy to use. I think the Z710 will have all the extra features I'm looking for...along with simplicity)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Carmi! My first impression was that something's missing from the photo. And then I realized it's YOU that's missing!

kenju said...

No, I've never done that, Carmi...LOL...but you make it an interesting challenge.

srp said...

On occasion. I turned a camera on another camera for a macro shot once... they turned out very "out of this world" looking in a strange sort of way.

I see you must have used the timer to get out of the picture. Someday... in my dreams... a Nikon D80 or similar.

Anonymous said...

Always *giggle* I love reflection photos, some of my favorites.

Anonymous said...

I try to keep the camera away from mirrors -- mostly because I'll end up in the shot.

As for this pic, I love the old-style sepia tone (is that done naturally, with a filter, or by Photoshop) as well as the cascade-like reflection in the mirror.

Anonymous said...

Now I've got camera envy! Nice shot with the mirror/endless reflection. I think I've used a million different "improvised" tripods since I got my camera. Best tip I heard was using a little aquarium in a shallow water for underwater shots. Works really well! Nice shot Carmi! We'll have to get you selling some of your shots online, they just get better and better. Give me an email about that sometime eh?

Anonymous said...

I do that sometimes...just experiment and see what cool images I can come up with. I like this one...it keeps going and going. Nice.

Anonymous said...

Looks like a real hobby to me.

Mike

Zeus said...

I really like this photo! Pictures that play with depth perception always attract me.

Unfortunately, I don't ever turn my camera on itself. I enjoy taking photos, but I'm too worried about taking "the perfect picture" that I can't bring myself to take risks. Do I even take the best pictures? No! And therein lays the irony...

Linda said...

I've never turned the camera on itself...that would be a little like thinking all your life that you are 10 feet tall, then realizing that you're only 5 feet tall and have been fooling yourself. I keep telling my little camera that it is a digital SLR with mega power and pixels...I don't want it to realize it's only a Kodak 3.1 mp easyshare camera....poor little thing!

I love the effect of the mirror on the door and the "endless" reflection!

Anonymous said...

Love the photo!

Are you keeping warm? Hope you get heat soon!

Anonymous said...

For Christmas we're giving my son his very first digital camera (the FisherPrice preschooler friendly entry into the market) and my daughter a cheapy 35-mm camera. (She's two, she's not getting anything I can't replace for less than $10.) They will both be in heaven...and I will too. I can't wait to take pictures of them...well taking pictures. So in a way my answer is "not yet." However, I'm not sure this is quite what your question had in mind.

Olyal said...

Two whole minutes to spare??!! You obviously weren't being busy enough Carmi.
Michele sent me again!

David Edward said...

your stuff ALWAYS blows me away!