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For over 2 years I have used the most clichéd self-portrait of a photographer ever as my avatar for most sites online; my blog, myspace, facebook (until just recently), bebo, lastfm and a few others. Yeah that one with the camera at my face, taking a photograph of myself in the mirror. The first was used from May 2005 - April 2007, the second from then until today.
It isn’t the most original photograph of a photographer, I know, though I didn’t want to risk taking one of me any other way. Since having that photo a few people have said that it’s a bit crap, and that as a photographer I should show some more ‘imagination’ by either using a photograph that I’m proud of, and also change the picture occasionally - or just use a better picture of me.
There is another photograph I use occasionally, though not sure entirely how much I like it, so it’s use will remain minimal:
To answer this, I want a picture that can be easily recognised through all the masses of avatars, to be static. I am not the photographs I take, or the people I shoot. It will be a photograph of me. Just a decent one, if that’s possible.
Recently, however, my friend Miriam took a a photograph of me from half way up Cave Hill that I quite like, and so this photograph will be me new avatar throughout the web for the next few months. Me, with my camera, and North Belfast and Belfast Lough in the background.
For those wondering why the hell I have just posted four photographs of myself (I’m beginning to doubt myself whether I should hit that ‘publish’ button), I am in the process of putting some thought into my online identities and how to make best use of them. The plan is the get a photo blog going again when I get a spare moment, as well as a redesign of icedcoffeewords.
These identities are important to me and so I want the content to be clearer, to readers and myself. It is a process I’m working through.
Why do you use your current avatar(s)?
8 Comments
I standardised on the blog logo … comes in two sizes 64×64 and 80×80, but I wish I’d kept an original high-res version.
Someday, I’m going to have to recreate it … and two years on, I can still vaguely recall the joy of pasting snippets of text into an ancient version of Paint Shop Pro.
why do photographers hate getting their picture taken? I’ve not met one yet that likes it.
…and as for the avatar, tis a photo you took of me. It’s one of the rare instances where I look like a plank, but i KNOW i look like one…a photographer hasn’t been able to capture that look until now ;)
Thanks jett.
Alan, it leaves so much mystery.
Eddie, I hated my photo bein’ taken when I was young cos i always managed to look like a pratt. Now I dont mind too much. Though I still often look like a pratt. I would love more nice pics like this to be taken though.
Great photography! I really like your choice of layout and overall design. I have recently included your blog in my new site, ILovePhotoBlogs.com, which showcases photoblogs from around the world. So if you have a moment, stop by and check us out. Keep up the great work!
Good to see you getting out from behind the camera, and I think it’s a great idea for people to see the person behind the pictures. It may not be natural, but I understand why you’re doing it, and hopefully it’s good for business as a photographer!
Thanks rick.
Gerard, I’d always thought that the opposite may be true - hopefully it wont.
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