day 23: self-portrait challenge

Library Silhouette.

I have long wanted to take a photo playing with the light streaming through the windows at Multnomah County Library's central location.
I hiked in with my tripod and went straight to my favorite photography row. Perfect. A window right behind the stack. I grabbed a fantastic, large, beautiful photography book, set my exposure and went for it.
I really had to push the ISO on my digital camera, which adds to the digital noise. This bums me out a little bit. I think I need to upgrade my digital camera! (Shooting now with a Nikon D40, which is a sturdy camera that I could learn the art with...but now I'm ready to upgrade.)

I like the reflection off the books. I like the light coming in from the window. I think this photo would be better in black and white because the wood color distracts from the subject standing in the stacks. It also takes your eye toward the wood, when I'd really rather your eye be drawn to the light and the silhouette.
Let's try putting this in black and white...

I really like this better, for this particular image. Now the background colors do not distract from the light on the books or the subject. YES, color is beautiful and really works in some images. But it doesn't work best for all images.

You know, I love taking photos of people more than anything else. I studied emotion up the wazoo in school and I think I enjoy photos of people because it fascinates me how the human face shows micro-musculature expression -AND- how the light plays on this in choosing exposure. Also, all of us can always tell when an expression isn't a true one. The tiniest facial muscles used (or not used) will make all the difference when capturing sincerity. That is elusive and hard to capture and I love this about what I do, as well.

What do you do?
I'm a photographer, I said.

How can you not love the love you surround yourself with.
LOVE and JOY.
I shoot on. Let's see what's we gots.