First, I apologize for disappearing for a few days. I stood outside for 3 hours in the blowing snow (don't ask) and got really sick. I'm starting to come out of it and hope to get back in the swing of things soon, at least for another 6 days.

I was going to do this after completing the trial run of 30 self - portraits ([link]), but given that I did complete the 30 days and am now clearing out some of the first shots that don't really count, maybe this is as good a time as any. So here's what I've learned from this exercise.

Let me stipulate from the get - go that I still have a *lot* to learn, and I know that my photos aren't anywhere close to most of yours. But I'm making progress, I think, and I suspect another 30 days--and another, and another--would help even more.

1. Photography is all about lines and lighting. I know every book on photography says this, but I never understood it until I tried taking photos on a daily basis. How you frame a shot and how you light it makes the difference between a good and bad photo. My problem at this point is that I'm not very good a framing a photo first time around, and I rely too heavily on cropping.

2. Somewhat unexpectedly I've discovered that the self - portraits I respond best to have three strong elements in them. I have a vague memory of seeing something to this effect in a book too, which may be why I noticed it, but it increasingly rings true to me. Here's a really literal (and pretty) example of what I mean: [link] As I continue, this one of the things I want to work on in my own photography.

3. I also really respond to self - portraits that tell a story. I like it when photographers tell the story in the description, and I like it when they don't. But I'm drawn to photos that have a strong narrative. I've also discovered that doing artistic photos that have a story to tell is really difficult. Snapshots capture a moment in time; art brings that moment alive and makes the viewer part of the moment, and the difference between those two experiences is hard to traverse.

4. Nude is not pornographic. Again, duh. But worth noting, especially as I look through my gallery. One of the striking things, to me, is the degree to which I de-emphasized full on shots, genitals, etc. I think--hope--I have embraced this all important distinction.

5. I hate sepia.

6. I really, really appreciate all of you who have participated in some way: those who have watched, those who have posted great pieces of art, and most of all, those who have commented and/or put up with my comments. The level of community on here is really amazing, and I am more than grateful.

Okay, now off for some rest, and hopefully posting will resume soon!