Portraits and self-portraits

This photo by Annie Leibovitz gives you a sense of playfulness and shyness. i like this photo because it seems as if she doesn't want to see whats going on but is curies. The background is very simple so it doesn't take any focus off the subject. And The subject uses her own body not props this makes her look a lot more natural then anything.

This self portrait is one of my favorites, it's the one that spook with more emotion to me. It has a sense of hopelessness, endlessness, and fear. I think this photo came out good because of the background and props used. The sky is clear but yet a little cloudy and the railroad tracks balance out with the guy on the left. With his back turned you cant see his face but his body language, his head dangling down, is enough. i would like to use a detailed background in my self portrait/portrait.