most of ya'all know i love to do expressive self-portraits. Well, here's a side of me I've never shown publically. i enjoy taking pictures of myself through dirty glass. don't ask me why; i'm just weird. i realize that no one except me make like any of these images, but i take photographs to please myself and to express myself. i guess i just wanna show you guys and see what ya'all think. no way will i ever trash these because i love them. but i'm just curious if any of ya'all see any kind of artist merit in them. Obviously, all the technical rules are out the window! LOL! i like dirt. i don't mind getting dirty...do it every day at work! LOL! i just have this weird fascination with shooting dirty images! LOL! thanks for your feedback. ya'all know i want you to tell it to me straight. i just really striving to grow as an artist. I know you're gonna laugh your as_ses off when you look at these! but really, the way i see it, when you're trying to grow artistically, you're gonna have major flops along the way. that's to be expected! thanks a lot guys!!!!

here's the first dirty image...

and here it is colorized. i took this image through a filthy garage door.

this one was also shot looking into a dirty garage door (please don't ask me the fascination with dirty garage doors! i haven't even begun to analyze that yet!) Directly behind me several hundred feet was another door...again with glass in the middle but not so dirty! my double door shot...

i save the weirdest for last. This one i took through the back window (i *think*)of my dad's huge Suburban. I might have taken this one through one of the passenger windows. can't remember. it was this summer and i took so many. the vehicle was covered in mud and was filthy. this is my favorite of all of them i think. i like the distortions and how my head is missing. well, there's a story behind that too. LOL.

and here it is again...warped fire away guys!!!!!

Well you dirty girl lol They are different I give you that. Anyway Shelia, it doesnt matter what ppl think it you like it. Not really my thing but I can see the interest in them, there kind of cool. LP

Express Yourself how it works best....but....clean up You Act just a wee bit....and do some Dusting! *smile*

I think the first ones look great - it is surely a legitimate filter as any - some photographers go round breathing on their lenses, taking shots through sweet papers, petroleum jelly, stockings or what ever. Some even freeze things in ice to get an effect ;). This achieves an effect in a spontaneous a way. I don't quite understand how you are holding a camera, is it your relectiion you are photographing ?

You are My every Day smile---And nothing "dirty can come from creativity and Imagination.....Sardines my Luv from oedipe and Me

I was going to say, where's the dirty pics? :D
like the first the best overall... maybe with more contrast

reflections must be naturally fascinating to us...
the added dirt, like richard suggest adds a natural filter

could make for a interesting monthly challenge!! :]
"reflections" or even "legitimate filters"

legitimate filters Cyn, so what is an iligitamafe filter lol! Never mind beter not go there! Onslow Only the mad freez things in the already cold country lol

non "plug-in" filters or effects... using some of the ones richard suggested :]

He He LP - not cold here - I believe they describe my end of the country as mild :P Would be great if it was innovative filters which people found or made eg: dirty windows, or breathing on the lens etc. NB: Before anyone tries it the petroleum jelly is put on an old skylight filter or similar not directly on your lens.

I will consider my wrists slapped then Cyn lol Vaseline Richard now thats a good one. Only use Cokin or Hoya myself

Richard, you said you don't quite understand how i'm holding the cam. Which image are you referring to? all of them? LOL! I have to work really hard on holding my cam the proper way. Kemal is always reminding me of that. i've been doing better lately. and you asked is it my reflection i'm photographing? yes. cindy, yes i would love to see both "reflections" and "natural filters" as challenge suggestions. i AM fascinated with reflections. don't know why. I would like to try some of those other natural filters that Richard suggested. sounds like fun...uh...expect the petroleum jelly. no way do i wanna be cleaning my filters for a year and a day after using that sticky stuff! Brian, i refuse to dust!!! but yeah, i think i do need to clean up my act a bit! Thanks so much guys for your input!!! ok, i'll work on the first one and see what happens since ya'all seem to like those the best. do ya'all know any artists who make weird "dirt-enhanced" images? i would like to see their work. Thanks so much again guys for the feedback and for looking at my dirty pictures!!! LOL! :)

I would look around Shelia, but there in no way I am gonna type "dirty pictures" into Google lol

LMAO, Simon!!! Me neither!!! oh that would be bad to do a search like that!!! I was just hoping maybe Michelle or some of ya'all who have studied other photographers might know of someone who takes pics like this. i've never taken a photography class, and the art classes i've taken have never really included too many photographers. Maybe i just need to do a search for abstract photographers and see if i come up with anything!

Cool dirty pics ;-)