Stills

The receding self portraits remind me of one of those nesting Russian dolls.
 

My first thought on seeing this is that you obviously haven't been in Japan long enough to learn how to squat with feet flat on the floor. Lots of opportunity for camera shake with that tippy toe pose... :-)

You've made a really interesting picture but I feel that you need to be a bit more obvious in it. Given the difficulties of making you brighter, I think that the bright area at the bottom of the picture becomes the problem.
 

"you obviously haven't been in Japan long enough to learn how to squat with feet flat on the floor"

After six months in Korea, I was used to squatting flat foot to wait for the bus, wait for the subway, etc etc etc. Back in the States, it took me a while to realize that American's don't squat for anything except weight lifting, and that it's assumed that any squatting person must be trying to look up skirts. Or perhaps that's just the Midwest.
 

I like the subtlety of the reflection -- and your title makes it clear that there is more there than the hydrant (so very modern and clean looking). Plus, once I saw you and your double, it became difficult for me to look at anything else!

I doubt that many Americans can physically squat with feet flat -- the flexibility needed is lost with age. I had a tai chi instructor years ago who had spent many years in China. He was convinced that people who kept that ability would not fall and break hips like so many elderly people do here, so he encouraged the class to practice sitting that way.
 

I also the multiple planes of this image, and like Colin, find the whites of the sidewalk a little too distractingm as well as the upper right corner. Blance of the image seems to be heavy on the right. So, for stated self portrait, what was the reason for including the highlight in the left (your right) eye?
 

Whether one accepts the brightness of the pavement or not depends on whether there is an 'L' to compensate: the hydrant and writing with a receded pillar just about do that. OK, there is a second face but the spot of light in the larger one counts against a small-scale self-portrait like this - but the foot-fetishists might not be fussed!

I wasn't sure whether I liked your central placing given the position of the hydrant but have persuaded myself that the reflection of the tree is strong enough to counter-balance on the left.

Overall, the picture would be better without the photographer (nothing personal!) - I'm not focusing on anything firmly and when I try and settle on the hydrant, I'm pulled off to the left.
 

You look like trying to catch those "eyes". I understand the thing about the bright area. I find that playing with contrasts can help readability but it will be more a matter of taste here. For me it stands quite well this way.
 

Kate just pointed out that this is clearly mistitled. This is not a self-portrait, but rather a portrait of that funny little robot with the big eyes.
 

Some interesting responses. Not sure if Colin's "Given the difficulties of making you brighter" is a compliment or not.

This was more a study of the fire hydrant than another vain attempt at self portraiture. I initially did not want to be included in the shot but a non square on capture may have lead to some 'unsightly' verticals. Kate got closest with my reason for clicking the shutter: the robotic features plus the hydrant being behind glass.