Arts Design

THE INCREDIBLE NEW FINE ART OF SELF-PORTRAITS NOW

As we continue our week celebrating the Beautiful Self, today, we look at the art and design of self.

It’s easy to understand why creative artists are interested in exploring different facets and levels of themselves. And it is fascinating to see the many different ways they are able to express what they find.

Today, we are exploring 3 photographers who have some very cool self-portraits to share with us now. They definitely NOT your typical selfies

LAURA WILLIAMS

The self-portraits that British photographer Laura Williams play with a range of illusions, often using magicians’ tools like smoke and mirrors. In a way, they are toying with self-delusion.

The photos take on surreal qualities. Williams’ recent series, entitled Invisible, creates the illusion that key parts of Williams are missing. She poses, holding a mirror in front of her, so that parts of her body are hidden by reflections… making it seem as though she has blended in with her surroundings.

These self portraits are so intriguing, that they went viral, garnering more than 800,000 views on Flickr alone.

Williams hides herself in other ways as well… behind masks, inside suitcases, under transformative make-up and more.

We see her “self” as she sees her “self” in dreams, fantasies, and alternate realities. It is interesting to note that she is only 18 years old. And we are super-curious about how she will continue to develop her “self” and her art as she continues on her life journey. So stay tuned...

CRISTINA OTERO

Self-taught Spanish photographer Cristina Otero creates self-portraits that have a fantasy fashion aspect to them. She has a magical way with expressive makeup and a deft use of Photoshop.

Otero’s self-portraits tell stories, although these stories are not only autobiographical. She often uses herself to take on the persona of others. In her Tutti Frutti series, she takes on the persona of juicy fruits.

She began having solo exhibitions, around the world, as a teenager.

You can see her work in various gallery exhibitions, as well is in several ad campaigns and on a few book covers.

SARAH STEWART

Sarah Stewart is, exclusively, a self-portrait photographer. And that’s unusual in and of itself. Her self-portraits are also quite unique.

Like others that we’ve featured, Stewart uses props and post-production techniques to elevate her images into new forms, full of new ideas.

“I think my favorite part about self-portrait photography is being alone with just my camera for company,” Stewart explains. “When I’m in the mood to take photos, it acts as a sort of therapy for me, as if the only thing I can be honest to is my camera, if that makes sense.”

Self-portraiture is tricky because it requires the ability to see oneself, both from afar and from within. It also has particular technological challenges.

Typically, Stewart works with a Canon 6D and a 50mm f/1.4 lens – but sometimes she shoots with a 35mm lens too.

Enter your own images and ideas about Beautiful Self in this week’s creative Photo Competition. Open for entries now until 11:59 p.m. PT on 01.25.2014. If you are reading this after that date, check out the current BN Creative Competition, and enter!