Superhero Photo Challenge: Bathroom portrait

I'm still a kid in certain ways. I get bored during certain "adult" type conversations and have to take a little break, go to the bathroom or entertain myself with some other activity. The camera is a great tool for this.

This very thing happened last week in Chicago. I was on a boat tour with a friend where we were learning about the architecture of the great buildings of Chicago. It was lovely and even interesting, but by the end, I was bored and tired of sitting and baking in the sun. So I did what all responsible adults do, I took myself to the bathroom and entertained myself with mirror portraits.

Please people, tell me you do this too?

At least give it a try. Bathrooms are one of life's greatest little portrait studios. Let's see what you've got.

Comments

[Tracey Clark]

classic!! love this shot and am giggling to myself about the whole idea. i love it! i have taken plenty in my own bathroom but none in someone else's. I am going to try this next time I'm out and about. it's really brilliant!

[claudia]

Personally, I don't like how I look in the mirror, maybe I should try flipping the image ;)
But I do know what you mean about shots in the bathroom. While on the Worldwide Photowalk, a friend and I stopped into a coffee shop to use the bathroom and I shot this:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/3747152392/in/set-72157621642640215/
will try one today though just for fun!

[Kimberly]

I do this too! Here's my first one with my new camera :) Car mirrors are fun too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimmus122/3576914145/in/set-72157618278396529/

[Trudy]

I love bathroom mirror photographs. You are not the only one! :) I used to joke and call it Bathroom Mirror Studios, a subsidiary of Tru Shots Photography. Below are links of my bathroom mirror shots:

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z306/files12345/bms_1.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z306/files12345/bms_2.jpg

http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z306/files12345/bms_3_from07.jpg

I will have to try it the next time I am traveling...take some in the mirror of wherever I stay. I like how yours shows the frame of the mirror, I'd like to try that too.

[georgia]

i love it!

yes, i have done this. and the shots i have are buried on some cd somewhere, so i won't be able to post. but i have a really fun vintage bathroom with a great big mirror, so it's fun to experiment in there.

i have to say, i have always wanted to do that architecture tour of chicago, being a native of chicago. so i chuckled when i read that became distracted like that. i would probably do the same, as i am always wanting to play with my camera too.

[chris]

There's something about bathroom shots that I find magical. I'm alone and there's no one who can sneak up on me so I can be whoever I want - sexy, sporty, or just plain me. And then that bathroom mirror. It seems to miraculously fade away all those lines that have appeared over the decades!

[Irene]

oh I love this. the composition of the shot and the color tones. such a lovely portrait of you Andrea.

[Marcie]

Love it!! Many times I've used my camera as an excuse to get away from what bores me. Can't say I've ever done a bathroom portrait in those situations..but you've certainly inspired me to give it a try!!!

[Betsybeth]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsybeth/2380084167/in/set-72157601899836880/ I can't believe how long ago I took this - March 08. Wow. I had new shoes and gorgeous new scarf and was off to see an amazing lady sing. I was on such a high and feeling very pretty...

[sharon]

1. I am too fat.

2. I try but they always come out blurry. And setting up the tripod is awkward at best.

3. Your capture is great!

[Grace]

I totally do this. This is one of my favorites: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/123735245_c3c81a48fb.jpg

[debbie]

This one is straight out of the little camera I carry with me "just in case." It may not be the best picture ever, but I love that it captured a happy moment in time with my grandson.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/queendebbee/3777931287/

[beth]

I actually did my self portrait challenge for last week this way...well, the scary version of it !

http://moredoors.blogspot.com/2009/07/warning-self-portrait-wednesdaythe.html

[Julie Alvarez]

I totally do that!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3272510422/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3293619143/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2250837334/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3193840407/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3351238699/

[Shalet]

You should check out this flickr group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/damnhellbathrooms/

Happy weekend!

[karla]

the bathrooms in the new modern wing at the art institute of chicago are stunning...and, i had to take a photo of myself!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/karlasfotos/3593139938/

[Ashley]

Haha..I JUST did this. I was trying to get a photo of my first "top" I sewed for myself.

http://lilblueboo.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-first-top-for-myself.html

[Karyn]

go figure - I took this one at the W during Love Affair Photography Workshop - it was finally night, so I was actually dressed up a bit. =) you HAVE to when surrounded by 64+ photographers all week!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayak57/3779137478/

[Steph Wiese]

I do it, too!! And, as a counselor, I even tell my clients to do it when they need to talk through something or give themself a pep talk. So, you heard it hear from a mental health care professional... start talkin' to that gorgeous gal in the mirror!

http://stephwiese.squarespace.com/blog/2008/12/10/sometimes-there-are-two-of-me.html

[Lu]

You bet I do it!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldb/3778376867/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldb/3779178670/

[Janina]

Wow!!! Love some of those shots. I have done a few but no idea where they ae but will do some this week with my new beautiful sexy camera

[Y]

My favorite bathroom shot taken by me, probably EVER.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joyunexpectedcom/3766889125/

[Julia]

It's pretty normal behavior I think for a photographer :)
Some of my bathroom shots - my sisters & I in Amsterdam: http://jewels.esmilde.com/2008/07/netherlands-nuesday-36.html
My daughter: http://jewels.esmilde.com/2008/08/flash-back-friday-82.html
My cat: http://jewels.esmilde.com/2008/10/leo-drama.html

[Liz]

i already do this! my bathroom has the most even light--and happens to be very, very small :). last december, in the midst of snowpocalypse 2008, i had to walk to hardware store for some pipe-winterizing materials. good occasion for a portrait!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/3110346499/in/set-72157594587515983/

and then there was the picture that was intended to be the "before". turns out it's the "current". ;)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lilybeth29/3561000644/in/set-72157608993525565/

[spencercasa]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23196640@N03/3308906881/

what better place to take pics when i was pregnant! i had weekly photo sessions in the bathroom when i was pregnant. and many times, non-pregnant, do photo sessions in the bathroom. great place to experiment with lighting and facial expressions! ;)

[amy t schubert]

Bathroom self-portraits are my favorite when we're visiting place ... Ex: I took a couple today when I was wedding-venue shopping w/ my sis-in-law for her wedding ...

[Kathleen O./ko2008]

After the beach, post-shower, in my own bathroom...it's my favorite place in the house for self-portraits because of the light...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3779133441/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ko2008/3779138067/in/photostream/

[tricia]

Is it just me or would this be a really fun flickr group:)

[Hannah]

Guilty! :-) I did an entire photo shoot in the bathroom. Having a mirrored medicine cabinet on the wall is awesome for getting interesting side angles. I love your shot!

[kimberlee]

I do this all the time. But we are out of town. When I get a chance I'll try and remember to post some here.

[Emma]

Yep. Me too :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emmaginations/3450440195/

[cindy]

i'm hiding - http://www.flickr.com/photos/71443419@N00/3638436115/in/set-72157615762917231/

[sophie]

I took one for my 365 to finish of July - and I was just thinking "man, I should find some other place to take a self-portrait! Inspired by this post, maybe I'll use somebody else's bathroom next time :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/limesally/3780393574/

[Kathi]

I was just blog hopping when I came across your site!! Lovely! I think your site is wonderful!! This particular post caught my eye because when my husband goes on travel for work and I get stuck in the hotel room by myself, I do this exact thing to keep myself entertained!! Bathroom portraits are the best way to pass time!! thanks for making me feel... less self conscious about it!!

[Anne]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alizw/3786173641/

I woke up on my birthday to this note. Friends are nice.

[Jamie]

love this entry...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35380031@N03/3787654426/

[Demetra]

One of my favorite things to do!!!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluebabyphoto/3787382905/

[claudia]

okay, I did it - reluctantly. http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurohunt/3787844532/
perhaps I'm not as creative in bathroom settings ;)

[spread your wings]

i do this every once in a while - keep hoping to get a good one.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/autumnsun/3790998480/in/set-72157621949237170/

[Jennie]

:)

Did one of these last week!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jclutter/3751022738/

[Tipping Point Photo]

I totally cracked up when I saw this post because I just took a photo last weekend in the most ornate bathroom I will likely ever visit.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3790565212/

Clearly, I feel out of place here. :o)

I also had a conversation with Sarah-ji in the Shutter Suite about how bathrooms typically have the best lighting of any room in the house, and we both agreed that was true. So, Andrea, you are not crazy! Thanks for the post, and I am sorry that I did not get a chance to talk to you at all in Chicago, but look forward to more posts, and possibly Mondo Beyondo! You're awesome.

[rosa]

this was a first for me and now i'm hooked. bathroom mirrors of the world get ready. thanks for the awesome challenge!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37496029@N06/3794536698/

[Lori Potts]

Here are my versions.

http://misspotsandpans.blogspot.com/

[Rae]

Here's mine!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71939356@N00/3814508806/

[Marta]

Another great spot is the mirrors on the ceiling of elevators. The best light and angle. Unfortunately I don't have one handy to post.

[Anna-Marie Still]

My favorite "in the bathroom mirror" self portrait is one I took when my baby was just 3 weeks old

http://annamariestill.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/05/happy-mothers-d.html