Turning the lens on myselfLondon, ON
March 2008
I've often written about how I can't stand being in pictures. Life behind the lens is safe, quiet and controlled. Life in front of it is decidedly less so.
Video is actually easier than still. At least when you're being captured in full-motion, you can speak, move, animate yourself. Still photography, on the other hand, always seems to capture you in that blink of an eye when you're looking like a super doofus.
Problem is, I'm occasionally asked to provide a head shot to accompany any quotes that I might have shared with a reporter. I'd been using one taken years ago - click here to see it...don't laugh - but it was starting to get a little, I don't know, stale. So when I was asked a couple of weeks ago for an updated one, I had an idea: Take it myself!
That way, I'd control the outcome. So as I shivered in a windy parking lot taking pictures like this, I also set up my tripod, grabbed my remote control and took a few slightly offbeat self-portraits. It was kinda fun.
Your turn: How silly do I look? Any thematic suggestions for future self-taken head shots?
One more thing: I chatted briefly with Wojtek Dabrowski of Reuters Canada earlier this week, resulting in this article, Telecoms face new competition. Here's what I said:
But Carmi Levy, senior vice-president at Toronto-based ARCommunications, cautioned that the wireless-driven growth engine could sputter if more entrants arrive.Make that two: I'll be posting the next Caption This entry tomorrow. Start your creative minds now.
"If you're an incumbent player, this is not good news for you because your life is about to get more difficult," he said, adding that the top three firms will have to become more flexible and responsive, as well as more affordable to customers.
Ah, whose the man behind the Foster Grant's? You look like a sunglass model, but then I probably do too since almost all of my photos are of me outside with sunglasses. Nicely done self-portrait.
ReplyDeletequite handsome! I like it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I should have said, "here today from Michele's blog... I went back and looked at your old mug shot and I like the new one much better! The old one looked too serious and business like.
ReplyDeleteI like it :)
ReplyDeleteI do know what you mean though. I so much prefer lurking behind the lens than in front of it. If you point a camera at me I feel like I'm naked somehow. I rarely like pictures of myself either.
I love it! You look very handsome and mysterious.
ReplyDeleteYour old pic is cute, if not slightly geeky. ;) And I mean that in a very nice way!
I like this one Carmi. Very "modern". You get a thumbs up here.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous! I can say that. I'm old enough to be your mother.
ReplyDeleteVery nice Carmi. The shades are "fly!" LOL! Is that the right word? But your other one was quite good too because we could see your eyes.
ReplyDeleteI agree about photos though, I'd rather do them myself as I always look like a dork in mine, lol!
I'm with you. I'd much rather be behind the lens. If I have to be photographed, its always better if I dont know about it.
ReplyDeleteVery sharp. I like being behind the lens but I don't mind being in front of it. I seem to have much worse luck with pictures of myself if I'm the one that took them.
ReplyDeleteHere from Michele's
the coat and tie guy does look, umm, strange. the new look is far better
ReplyDeleteThis is a Printable, Carmi - you should turn that lens backward more often!
ReplyDeleteThe new picture is much better than the old one -- tres bien! I am much more comfortable behind the lens, but I'm afraid that When I'm Old And Gray there will be no pictures of myself and my child and/or husband so I'm trying to get that resolved.
ReplyDeleteHere via Michele! Always a pleasure! :)
I think that you are more handsome than you appear in any of these photos. I saw a video you put on here last year (I think) and you were very nice looking!
ReplyDeleteloving the sunglasses! you do look like a model. I've been trying some self portraits and I find the head shots I like of myself are the ones with only half of my face in the shot..lol..
ReplyDeletemichele sent me!
If the women like it, Carmi, your wife in particular, and if you like it, then it's cool.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...
ReplyDeleteYou don't look too bad!
ReplyDeleteNow, someone has to be objective. All others seem to be besotted by your photo!
Don't come and beat me up..
*running away*
Do you think Michele will save me??
I much prefer this new photo to your previous one. Something about all those teeth *shudder*. The new one has a sense of calm and mystique that I quite like.
ReplyDelete*wolf whistle* Very nice, Carmi!
ReplyDeleteI personally like the little grin ... or is that a smirk?
*big grin*
I LOATHE pictures of myself. I might get one good one out of twenty, er, thirty, er, fifty ... oh nevermind, I sound pathetic.
Write From Karen
You look like a character on a CSI show! LOL I'd watch it :)
ReplyDeleteI,too, HATE to be in front of the camera....though in one of the mosiacs from spring break, I tried to include myself. Not sure why...but it feels so much more confortable behind the 'glass'...
ReplyDeleteI like the Tom-Hanks-ish look of your avatar! LOL