Self-portraits for Self-conception

tree alone.jpg

I was walking along the canal towpath when I spotted this fascinating tree branch. It ignited a photography spark, so I took a series of self-portraits to observe some of the nuances that I might not always see when looking in the mirror.

Also, I thought why not create beautiful memories of myself on this tree, huh?

Self-portraits give me a feeling of intimacy with myself and enable me to capture shots that show an authentic side of me while offering the comfort of sharing aspects of me that are like my alter-ego.

This image above, gives off a nonchalant look, which might be misleading sometimes, however, I feel most alive when I'm outdoors in nature, which helps me to trust that things will always work out just the way they were intended.

Everything is green and lush from continuous rainfall, which makes great photography, and the greens and browns of trees have a reassuring and calming effect on me. Oftentimes, I seek solace outdoors for introspection time.

@millycf1976-43.jpg

I like this one's lighthearted and mysterious look of this image. It shows the true spirit of who I am, at heart.

Balance, focus, motivation, and confidence are attributes that I deploy to help me achieve my goals.
These variations of tree pose require all of these skills, which I get from practising yoga.

@millycf1976-38.jpg

This series depicts a fierce warrior-likeness, which I gather is evident in my persona, and something that I'm mindful of, as some find it intimidating.

Another value I get from using self-portraits for self-conception is that you get to see what others see, and the contrasts and subtle differences in my personality are pronounced. This one shows my softer side.

I like doing things that are physically and psychologically stimulating, and the greenery and nature harmonise everything.

So, I think this photo above, depicts my sensual aura through my strong body-mind connection.

This one below, is one of my favourites from the lot.

However, if I could retake this one, I'd capture the photo from a higher angle to get my eyes more open. Still, I couldn't help but think of Leonardo da Vinci's quote ~ "Those who see, those who see when shown, and those who do not see."
From these small beaded eyes, 'I see'.

This was a fun exercise, and the colours of my attire were a complete coincidence, but I think the green was symbolic of growth, renewal, and a new phase, some things that I've been experiencing and new ventures that I'm looking forward to embarking on.

_{All the self-portraits and images were taken using my Olympus camera and photos were edited in Adobe Photo Express and formatted using Canva.}