Reflective Self-Portrait

"a Gaze back"

This image, printed on cyanotype fabric, shows a thoughtful version of myself gazing into a mirror, where a goofier version stares back. I made this by taking two different photos of myself on self-timer and then combined them in Photoshop. I then placed a transparency over the fabric and let it sit in the sun for 15 minutes.

This photo uses informal balance, high key and low key lighting, and framing in the mirror. Originally I wanted this image to only show my face and the reflected face, without placing it in any environment, but I thought this provided better lighting and a more interesting composition.

This photo reflects my character because I am someone who can be both thoughtful and goofy, so showing both aspects of that character in a photo was the best possible way to use reflection to capture my character. If I were to do this over again, I might want to center my reflection in the mirror more.