Playing with new Presets

One of the best things a photographer can do is learn from others and what better way to learn than by getting their presets and studying them. This is a way to understand how they got their beautiful photograph and what they did in their post shoot edits. I just got a big bundle of presets I thought I would use over the years, but I do know that I won't just hit the preset button and be done editing. No! This is only a starting point for me.
One of my favorite styles of photographs is the faded, moody look that reminds me of Washington's forests and beaches, and Brandon Woelfel's blue neon tint. His photographs are beautiful in the urban and arcade type of way. I got his preset first and nearly died when I realized I didn't have any photographs like his to test it out. So I set out to shoot.
The problem with being a photographer in your friend circle isn't taking shots of your friends; it's being the only one who knows how to take really good photos. I wanted to get really beautiful self portraits but I always am alone when I feel the urge. This causes a lot of struggle and stress to get the perfect shot. My little sister doesn't want me to photograph her, or really anyone other than herself to get a picture of her. She would be the PERFECT model, but no.
Here are two of my only good shots from my attempt at some self portraits in low light.

They didn't turn out exactly how I wanted, but it is a start. I have to have really ugly shots before I can be awesome. Some day I will be a famous photographer working all around the country and soon the world.