Self timer photography

girlafraid · Apr 25, 2014

Before I moved over to film about 3 years ago I was pretty much solely a self portrait taker. Mainly through lack of willing models. I actually don't like having my photo taken, I had a style, I rarely showed my face. I got quite ambitious with it though obviously it can be a challenging process.

When I first started shooting film my style changed. I enjoyed documenting my daily life but in the end more and more I missed thinking up my ideas and seeing them through to the finished shot.

I have a Zenit e and a Zenit 11 with working self timers and I have tried a few shots but I've always been very disappointed in the results. I find it almost impossible to get a sharp focus. I've had limited success but only when I focus on something and then step in where it was. If this isnt possible I just can't do it.

I'd love to recapture where I was ideas wise but in film.

Any advice or tips would be very welcome! Sorry for the long winded explanation and I hope this is in the right section.

ToddB · Apr 25, 2014

Maybe put an inanimate object in your place.. Like a chair or a cup. I've had pretty good luck doing that with Rollei at F3.5

girlafraid · Apr 25, 2014

ToddB said:
Maybe put an inanimate object in your place.. Like a chair or a cup. I've had pretty good luck doing that with Rollei at F3.5

Thanks! I have tried that a few times and I have had the most success that way but it's not always easy. I do have two tripods (that I never have with me so I normally end up going the chair and a load of books route!) from when I used to do TTV. I could use one for the camera and one for focus but it still depends on if I stand in the right spot!

AgX · Apr 25, 2014

A light stand or a tripod as focusing substitute would work.

You might also combine such with a measuring tape.

Alex Muir · Apr 25, 2014

I sometimes do this for the same "lack of willing models" reason. I tend to use a long cable release rather than the self timer, but either approach works. If you are going to be in a set position, perhaps seated in a chair, you can set up the focus with a metal tape measure. If using large apertures with limited depth of field, this works quite well. The measurement should be from the camera film plane, which is sometimes shown on the top of the camera as a line and circle, to where your eyes will be. You then set that distance on the lens. If you are less certain about the pose you will be in, you are best using a smaller aperture to gain more depth of field.
Alex

girlafraid · Apr 25, 2014

AgX said:
A light stand or a tripod as focusing substitute would work.

You might also combine such with a measuring tape.

I was thinking this might be a solution.

cliveh · Apr 25, 2014

Why not use a mirror?

mopar_guy · Apr 25, 2014

Using a wide angle lens can help get a different look and you get the benefit of greater apparent depth of field.

John Koehrer · Apr 25, 2014

Simply use a piece of string at the length you decide you want to focus at.
If you want to use different distances. tie a series of knots along the length.
IE: 5, 8 and 10 feet. Set the focus hold the string to your eye and you're done. Don't pull the camera over, that's a bad thing.

frank · Apr 25, 2014

Yes. String with a knot every foot, then use the focus scale on the lens.

MattKing · Apr 25, 2014

As a photographer, I like having a camera visible in my self portraits .

So I just put a camera on a tripod in the same plane as I intend to put my eyes. Then I focus on the camera, start the self timer, and get into the picture.

Other props will work as well.

girlafraid · Apr 26, 2014

Alex Muir said:
I sometimes do this for the same "lack of willing models" reason. I tend to use a long cable release rather than the self timer, but either approach works. If you are going to be in a set position, perhaps seated in a chair, you can set up the focus with a metal tape measure. If using large apertures with limited depth of field, this works quite well. The measurement should be from the camera film plane, which is sometimes shown on the top of the camera as a line and circle, to where your eyes will be. You then set that distance on the lens. If you are less certain about the pose you will be in, you are best using a smaller aperture to gain more depth of field.
Alex

I'm not sure a cable release works with all my Zenits though I do have one and I do like using it.

cliveh said:
Why not use a mirror?

Do you mean take it into a mirror or have the mirror next to the camera when taking self portraits? I must admit I'd never thought of doing the latter until I saw a picture of Bunny Yeager doing it but I figured it was more for pose than focus.

Thank you for all the tips I'll definitely try them out! It's one area of film photograhy I really want to improve.

cliveh · Apr 26, 2014

I meant instead of using time delay take the picture in a mirror. You don't have to be looking through the viewfinder when you click the shutter and it would give you much more control to get what you want.

Alex Muir · Apr 26, 2014

You can get a thing like a cable release that works with rubber bulb at one end. It screws in the same as a cable release, but is much longer. The cable, or tubing, is stored on a reel and you unroll as much as you need. I bought one new in the UK last year for between 5 and 10 GBP. I think it was described as an air release.
The cable release socket is in the centre of the shutter button on the Zenit E.
Alex

ic-racer · Apr 26, 2014

For years I used a spool of string attached to the tripod head. I use a metal clamp to mark the length. I find any object (tree, side of building, etc) and move the tripod to that area and focus, then adjust the clamp on the end of the string to the exact position. Now it is all set. I take my electric release in one hand and the metal clamp on the end of the string in the other. I place the clamp up against my eye and get in position, then I drop the clamp and string and take the shot. This is better than autofocus, because it is quite difficult to position your eye on the autofocus sensor.
I actually have an ongoing project; a self portrait every year since 1984 in 6x6cm format. I guess this year makes 30 years!

Xmas · Apr 26, 2014

girlafraid said:
Before I moved over to film about 3 years ago I was pretty much solely a self portrait taker. Mainly through lack of willing models. I actually don't like having my photo taken,...

Most people will say yes if you ask to take their photo, or you can take them unawares, Bruce Guilden makes a living startling people.
If they say 'no' nothing lost.

AgX · Apr 26, 2014

ic-racer said:
For years I used a spool of string attached to the tripod head. I use a metal clamp to mark the length. I find any object (tree, side of building, etc) and move the tripod to that area and focus, then adjust the clamp on the end of the string to the exact position.

That was what I meant when speaking of a measuring tape. Either this or a string with a clamp. I guess for a person like me mixing up numbers the clamp method is beneficial...

girlafraid · Apr 26, 2014

cliveh said:
I meant instead of using time delay take the picture in a mirror. You don't have to be looking through the viewfinder when you click the shutter and it would give you much more control to get what you want.

I have done that a few times but I guess I want to be a bit more ambitious set up and pose wise. I used to do all kinds of stuff in digital! Also the last time I took a self portrait into a mirror not looking through the viewfinder I chopped my head off! Oops.

Alex Muir said:
You can get a thing like a cable release that works with rubber bulb at one end. It screws in the same as a cable release, but is much longer. The cable, or tubing, is stored on a reel and you unroll as much as you need. I bought one new in the UK last year for between 5 and 10 GBP. I think it was described as an air release.
The cable release socket is in the centre of the shutter button on the Zenit E.
Alex

Thanks I'll look into that. I just have a short one. Yeap the Zenit e does have a socket! Embarrassing! I'm sure one of them doesn't!

A bit off topic but my favourite self timer was always my polaroid one! The noise!

Xmas said:
Most people will say yes if you ask to take their photo, or you can take them unawares, Bruce Guilden makes a living startling people.
If they say 'no' nothing lost.

That's a good point but I never really did the spontaneous thing. It was more artistic stuff. I guess too I'm very shy so working with myself was always easier for me. I do like to take my boyfriends portrait as I always think they come out better than my selfs as I can focus and stuff better. He doesn't really want me forever pointing my camera at him though and I don't think he's up for really modelling either!

I always saw this as a self timered win. Just messing around and not in focus perfectly but heck I'm in the air!

jerrybro · Apr 26, 2014

I don't generally like out of focus photos, but I like yours. I think the lack of focus works with the lack of a face to clearly identify the person and surroundings. About the focus, why not zone focus? Focus on the far and near positions of where you will be noting the distances, place the lens in the middle and pick an aperture that covers as much as you need.

girlafraid · Apr 26, 2014

jerrybro said:
I don't generally like out of focus photos, but I like yours. I think the lack of focus works with the lack of a face to clearly identify the person and surroundings. About the focus, why not zone focus? Focus on the far and near positions of where you will be noting the distances, place the lens in the middle and pick an aperture that covers as much as you need.

Thanks! I think some people think I do the focusing on purpose but really its just a mistake. I mean I'll blur lights but portraits self or otherwise I think I'd prefer crisp!

Thanks for the advice!

markbarendt · Apr 26, 2014

In movie photography all focussing is done by distance.

Set the lens to x, use a string to put your forehead (or whatever) at x, drop the string.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 26, 2014

the remote for my Nikonallows to remotely focus and click the shutterpretty much exactly like the shutter release on the camera body,but I'm most frustrated with Nikon's decision torelese the shutterduring mirror -upwhen using the self timer.I'd have much preferred to have the mirror up prior to shutter release to cut down on camera shake.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 26, 2014

ToddB said:
Maybe put an inanimate object in your place.. Like a chair or a cup. I've had pretty good luck doing that with Rollei at F3.5

I doubtall distance markingsand focusing ringmechanics are that accurate:confused:I'm happy when infinity focuses at infinity as my pictures of the moon clearly illustrate(often just a fuzzball)

markbarendt · Apr 26, 2014

RalphLambrecht said:
I doubtall distance markingsand focusing ringmechanics are that accurate:confused:I'm happy when infinity focuses at infinity as my pictures of the moon clearly illustrate(often just a fuzzball)

Just like film, lenses made testing. I generally find that once I understand what a particular lens scale is telling me the scale is very accurate.

Just out of curiosity what shutter speed are you using when you're shooting the moon?

Chan Tran · Apr 27, 2014

I assume your Zenit camera is rangefinder but if it's an SLR it's fine. I assume you use a tripod for self portrait. Now set up the tripod and then stand or sit at the location where you want to take the picture and with the camera in hand focus on the tripod head. After that mount the camera on tripod, start the timer and go sit or stand where you were before. Should be accurate enough.

Self timer photography

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