Self Portrait at the Beach

[Cheryl Slechta]

This is a composite - I was doing shadow self portraits at St. Augustine Beach last week and I also did several images of a starfish on the beach. I was looking at some of Vivian Maier's self portraits in a book yesterday and one that interested me was her shadow with some dead leaves right in the center of her body. So, I decided to move my starfish (greatly downsized) onto my shadow and this is what I came up with. I used a tilt shift blur first in CC, then Topaz B&W Infrared and finally Nik Wet Plate to add a little more texture. It kind of reminds me of a Dune landscape.
Thanks for looking

[Dennis Bishop]

In terms of composition, you picked a great location for your shadow. All the elements are nicely arranged to keep the viewer's eyes in the image. I like the texture, too. And the tonal range. The starfish is a great touch and very nicely done. I'd not have guessed it was composited from another shot. It's a creative image that was beautifully crafted.

[Steve Adkins]

Perfect heart.

[Nancy Bell]

The symbolism of the starfish and the heart immediately caught my eye! Very well placed and highlighted. I very much like the perspective with your shadow reaching up from the bottom of the image and those lines in the sand reaching down from the upper right & surrounding your shadow. Very creative and well done in B&W!

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Love it Cheryl!

[Kerry Perkins]

Very well thought out and executed! I love the Dune reference, and the sand looks like the surface of the moon. Cool!

[Paul Lagasi]

Lovely work, great self portrait. Merry Christmas Cheryl, I'll be back in Florida sometime in January. Maybe we can have a coffee again.

[Cheryl Slechta]

Thanks, folks. As the Little Prince says: "It is only with the heart that one can "sea" rightly" Paul, I'd love to meet you for coffee - Micanopy or anywhere you happen to be. Are you still looking for the rail?

[Paul Lagasi]

Oh yes, I really need a good photo of a rail.

[Hazel Grant]

ditto all of above (except comments about rail....I don't have one.)

[Diane Miller]

Very cool!!

[Anita Bower]

The starfish for a heart is perfect! I like the lines in the sand angling in from above leading to you. Nice textures in the sand. I've mixed feelings about the rocks/sand at the top and upper right of the image--they are a bit distracting to me. A most creative image. Great work!