Self-ish

[Rob MacKillop]

self-ish by RobMacKillop, on Flickr​

I look a bit vulnerable on this one, and admit to having often felt this way at times. It is a difficult one to share, as it has definitely caught something of how I feel when overwhelmed by life's pressures - as most of us can be. Thankfully I'm not feeling this way all the time, and much less so these days than in the not too distant past

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Susan says the eyes remind her of Rembrandt's - I'm in good company. And that reminds me that I was looking at a Rembrandt self portrait just a few days ago in the National Gallery of Scotland.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

I've also got his nose

 

[Brian Moore]

You almost have his hair, too, Rob. You need his cap!

 

[Nihat Iyriboz]

A very nice image, Rob. I like the grain and the tones very much on this one.
Susan is right on the eyes. The fame is just around the corner!

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Ha, believe me, I could do without fame!

 

[Julian de'Courcy]

Rob. I agree with the Rembrandt association. A brave shot for oneself. The perspective works well as a whole. The transitions from the clothes to the head is superb. You certainly appear to be joining in and viewing the viewer, which in itself creates a challenge of equal proportion. A superb portrait that does come across as self inquiring .

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Julian. Good commentary.

 

[Pete Askew]

I think Susan's right about the eyes Rob. I like this the more I look at it. It does have a touch of the 'park bench' about it as well - the mouth I think, being partly lost in shadows. Just as well you don't drink!

Sorry, that's a bit rude I know and I was going to delete the jokey comment but actually that is what first struck me. It is an interesting mixture of vulnerability and intensity reminiscent of some of those folks down on their luck one meets occasionally on the streets. And I like that you have posted it. Thanks.

 

[Rob MacKillop]

That's fine, Pete. I'm glad you didn't delete the comment. I doubt if this one means much to anyone, other than it maybe being vaguely interesting. But it really affected me strangely last night, and it took me a while to get to sleep. But I feel absolutely fine now. Some raw emotion evident in this image, and it has been a moving experience learning that photography can do that to me.

 

[Pete Askew]

The camera can certainly both lie and reveal and it is interesting that often only the subject and the photographer knows which is which.

 

[Lesley Jones]

I think Susan's right about the eyes Rob. I like this the more I look at it. It does have a touch of the 'park bench' about it as well - the mouth I think, being partly lost in shadows. Just as well you don't drink!

Sorry, that's a bit rude I know and I was going to delete the jokey comment but actually that is what first struck me. It is an interesting mixture of vulnerability and intensity reminiscent of some of those folks down on their luck one meets occasionally on the streets. And I like that you have posted it. Thanks.

I'm glad Pete said this first, because this was my first reaction having worked with the homeless. There is this vulnerability that makes it very hard to look. I'm glad you posted it too...

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, Lesley. Appreciated.