End of summer self-portraits

The air was still thick and warm at 35 degrees when I made these self-portraits at home in Istria. These days, I don’t need to carry around a heavy camera, but instead shoot a lot with just a phone.

So, does gear matter? The answer is probably both yes and no.

Yes, in the sense that quality really matters once photos are printed on big formats. If the quality is technically bad, then the results will be pixelated. So, unless the intention is to have more of a grungy, lo-fi aesthetic, it’s important to have the tools to shoot images that can be blown up.

And ‘‘no’’ is probably the intersection of skill and creativity. Some photographers do wonders even with small plastic disposable cameras, so super expensive gear is really not a prerequisite. Sometimes the tool itself can push you to think differently and more creatively because there are so many constraints; polaroids are a great example.

Most of my photographs, however, won’t need to be printed on large formats. And there is also something satisfying about creating photos I like with just a Google Pixel that can fit into my pocket.

Nowadays, when everyone is taking selfies, it’s even more important for me to draw a line between a selfie and a self-portrait. How can I make this distinction? And when can I consider my photo a self-portrait instead of a selfie?

When looking at my own work, the distinction is mainly around intent and visual communication; understanding what I’m trying to capture or express, as well as what is being left unsaid.