This One; Or This?
Think of it as an optometrist visit. Which image seems best for a bio page: this one, or this one. Again. This one, or this one. And NEITHER is not a choice. This is all the photographer had to work with (camera on tripod, shutter on timer, run, sit (avoid wet ground and sharp rocks) and look natural. Repeat twenty times.
Please leave a number to record your choice. This ship has not quite sailed. And remember, if you eventually own this book, the face that looms out from the last page will be your fault. Choose wisely.
Reminds me (as all things do, ultimately) of something else: Woody Allen's address to the graduates:
"Today, we are at a crossroads. One road leads to hopelessness and despair. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we choose wisely."
Comments
1 definitely 1, no, make it 2, no, toss a coin. I guess I go with my first choice. I'm sticking with # 1. I'm not looking again until I have 2 cups of coffee.
Posted by: Liska | March 24, 2006 8:03 AM
Me? I'd vote for #1. The smile looks just a tiny bit too, um, not-right in #2. Of course, with Photoshop, couldn't you make the image look like Brad Pitt or something? Mr. Bean?
Posted by: pablo | March 24, 2006 8:03 AM
Okay, I like *both*: I'd be happy to see either mug staring back at me on about/author page.
If I had to pick quickly, though, I'd go for pic 1. I like the casual pose. It looks less like a stiff, formal portrait: more natural.
I had to chuckle at your description of taking a self-portrait: boy, I know what *that* is like. At least you used a tripod & timer. For my last self-pic, I held the camera out at arms-length: not something most folks want to try at home. ;-)
Posted by: Lorianne | March 24, 2006 8:11 AM
#3 - that color one on the right...
Posted by: Carl | March 24, 2006 8:17 AM
#1
Posted by: MARK | March 24, 2006 8:29 AM
#1 for sure... more natural
Posted by: Murph | March 24, 2006 8:51 AM
no. 1. Definitely.
Posted by: lauragayle | March 24, 2006 8:53 AM
No. 1 -- more natural.
Posted by: Georgia | March 24, 2006 8:57 AM
Definitely 2.
Posted by: Reno | March 24, 2006 9:11 AM
I agree with Carl, let's see what that looks like in B&W. Of the two, though, #1.
Posted by: Jane | March 24, 2006 9:43 AM
I'd go with #1
Posted by: David St Lawrence | March 24, 2006 10:02 AM
#1 seems to have better resolution, but #2 is more up-close and personal. A closer look at #2 scares me into thinking that you are trying to mind-control me through evil hypnotic eye contact (must buy this book...must buy...) I think #1 is the better pic regardless of the distance issue.
Posted by: Jim | March 24, 2006 10:03 AM
i definately like #1 better.
Posted by: Amy F. | March 24, 2006 10:18 AM
#1. I saw you for a brief moment last night at the Lee Smith talk and it looks more like you.
Posted by: Leslie | March 24, 2006 10:26 AM
The more casual #1, definitely.
Posted by: Gin | March 24, 2006 10:27 AM
#1
Posted by: cassie-b | March 24, 2006 10:53 AM
Can we have a third choice?
Posted by: Doug Thompson | March 24, 2006 11:02 AM
I too think #3 is the best choice. But if that's impossible, then I'll go with number 1.
Posted by: RD | March 24, 2006 11:47 AM
no.1 is the better of the two. no.2 looks erm... a bit dodgy, fred :)
can you do anything about those black-hole eyes?
Posted by: circumsolar | March 24, 2006 12:01 PM
I like #2 the best...the eyes are more "soulful" than in #1. When there is a little smile on the mouth, the eyes also need to have that same little smile.
Posted by: Sandra | March 24, 2006 1:43 PM
I'm with Lori. The picture from the web page is superior. Neither is a choice!
Posted by: Arthur | March 24, 2006 1:48 PM
OK, at second glance it wasn't Lori, it was Carl. I'd still like to know what Lori really thinks!
Posted by: Arthur | March 24, 2006 1:51 PM
2
Posted by: Lin B | March 24, 2006 2:14 PM
I like #1 better. The trees in the background are one of the main reasons for the book, right? I really enjoy your thoughts and insights.
Posted by: JoeW | March 24, 2006 3:48 PM
#1.
Blog on!
Posted by: Bene D | March 24, 2006 9:39 PM
#1 is more true to your character.
Posted by: Sean Pecor | March 24, 2006 9:55 PM
Definitely no. 1...more casual, I like that there are more trees showing...gee whiz, did we all pass the eye test? That's a mug shot that I can't wait to see on the back cover of OUR book...It does belong to all of us, doesn't it?
Posted by: Anne D. | March 24, 2006 10:11 PM
I liike both pics...but I will cast my vote for #1.
Posted by: DuneFan | March 24, 2006 10:16 PM
#1; the smile is better, and the pose more casual.
Posted by: Kathy Barron | March 24, 2006 10:25 PM
# 1
Posted by: kenju | March 24, 2006 11:20 PM
I like #1. You look relaxed. Love your blog.
Posted by: Laura | March 24, 2006 11:46 PM
I like the one in the purple shirt on your sidebar the best.
Posted by: colleen | March 25, 2006 10:45 AM
Between 1 & 2, I'd go with 1 because just by showing your relaxed pose it shows more of your personality. And the background is more distinctive, too, because there's more of it.
But if there's a choice of the color sidebar purple shirt one thrown it, definitely the color one. :)
Posted by: Deb | March 25, 2006 7:55 PM
#1
Posted by: kingfisha | March 25, 2006 9:32 PM