(flickr: Scarlet Begonias.) Scarlet — real name unknown Shelbie, she tumble — is far better at self-portraits than I can hope to be. Perhaps it’s because I got this idea that despite my awkwardness I see them as a way of building confidence. Not sure if it works.

But her’s? They’re damn good as you can see. The tonal range and eyes and all. The light too, light in self-portraits are… Well, not my nemesis since that’s pineapple, but it’s hard and often gets just a little bit wrong in the place where it shouldn’t.