'this is me now'

A friend of mine and I set each other a photo challenge, to take a self portrait of the 'real you'.

Well I dont know if this is the 'real' me but its how I was looking and feeling today, tired, messy haired and in my pj's. I didn't even bother lighting it 'professionally' as i preferred the shadows and contrast of a one light look.

That then got me thinking about previous comments regarding lighting etc. I get rather frustrated sometimes with feedback, all probably meant with good intention but sometimes, a photo isn't always about perfection, about 'textbook' lighting etc. Its about a feeling, a mood, a moment etc. What happened to creativity, breaking the mould and thinking outside the box? Anyway, rant over... =)