Filming so-called “selfies” was invented many years ago. However, this style gained popularity only with the development of smartphones. At first, many people did not understand why such devices needed a front camera - video communication then cost a lot of money. Only later did smartphone owners realize that with a small lens above the screen they could take pictures of themselves. Our tips will help you, if not reach a new level, then at least impress your friends. You'll quickly realize that you can take a cool selfie without much difficulty.
There are several rules for taking a perfect selfie. Finding natural light is one of them. Even professional photographers with equipment that costs several thousand dollars prefer to shoot outdoors, since nothing can replace natural light. In nature, you will be illuminated evenly, the contrast of the photo will be ideal.
However, be careful! If the sun is shining outside, glare may appear. It will be better if the luminary is to your right or left. Under no circumstances should the sun be behind you - then even the regime will not save you.
Appreciate artificial lighting
Of course, you want to take pictures not only on the street, but also indoors. In the case of artificial lighting, you need to spend at least a couple of minutes preparing for shooting. Get a little closer to the light source and evaluate how it affects your skin tone. If you don't like the result, then move on to another lighting source.
The most important thing is to stand facing the lamp. Otherwise, your face will be plunged into darkness, and the smartphone may not be able to brighten it up. You can also position yourself to the right or left of the light source - this will make the photo more daring. You can further enhance the effect by slightly tilting the device. Shots like these are perfect for avatar. But do not overdo it; a person should not tilt his head to the side to view the photo, almost breaking his neck.
It's not just your smartphone that can be tilted
When taking a selfie, you have to rely on the device itself and your head - the rest of the body in the frame is usually not visible. But this does not mean that in every frame you need to fool around and make faces. No, you can achieve variety by simply tilting your head slightly to the left or right. Rotate it more and more until you achieve the perfect angle.
Don't hold your smartphone above head level unless it's a group photo. And it’s not at all necessary to look into the lens - try to glance somewhere to the side. All this allows you to get very interesting shots, sometimes even mysterious.
Don't turn your lips out
At one time it was very popular to purse your lips and literally turn them outward when taking selfies. Popularly, this facial expression is called “duckface.” For some reason, the girls themselves liked such photographs. But now even they understand that such facial expressions are far from normal. A regular smile looks much better.
If you can't smile in front of the camera, then remember some funny moment from your life. As a result, if you don’t laugh, you will definitely smile.
Move the camera away from your face
If you want to take a great selfie, you need to figure out how to fit more space into the frame. To do this, you can get a smartphone with . But if your budget does not allow you to do this or you are simply already attached to your device, then buy yourself . With its help, you can move your smartphone away from your face by about one and a half meters. As a result, the photo will become more understandable - a person will be able to look at the background and determine exactly where you are. This will allow you to stand out from the huge number of monotonous selfies.
In a separate article we wrote,. There is nothing complicated about it. Of course, it is not at all necessary to take a monopod with you absolutely everywhere. Practice shows that good pictures can be taken without it. will come in handy somewhere on vacation when you want to get the perfect photos.
Note: Using a monopod, you can take a photo of yourself with the main camera. And it often shoots much better than the front camera.
Use an alternative to the shutter button
If you don't have a monopod, most of the time you'll be shooting with your phone by pressing the virtual shutter button. This will cause some shaking, which may result in a blurry photo. Most often this happens under artificial lighting, when the shutter speed increases up to 1/15 of a second. It is correct to shoot in such conditions using alternative buttons. In particular, you can press one of the volume buttons. On some smartphones, you can press the power key - this will also take a photo.
There are other alternatives. You can purchase Bluetooth button, which will allow you to press the shutter button remotely. Some devices allow you to give a voice command. For example, smartphones perceive the word “take a photo.” There are also special ones that take the shot almost automatically when your face is located in the right place. And sometimes standard Camera applications also receive similar functionality - this applies not only to South Korean products, but also Chinese smartphones .
Adjust white balance and exposure
Digital cameras work very poorly with light and colors. Artificial lighting can cause certain problems. The smartphone also experiences some difficulties at dusk if there is a lot of snow around. If you notice that your skin has an unnatural color, then try changing the white balance. Now any smartphone can do this.
As for exposure, this word refers to how light or dark the photo turns out. This parameter can also be adjusted. And many people don’t know this, trying to shoot on full automatic.
Edit your photos
Don't think that experienced photographers get a masterpiece immediately after pressing the shutter button. No, they edit their photos in various graphic editors. You can also edit your selfies in third-party applications. To do this, you do not need to turn on the computer; now many similar programs exist on the Android operating system. You can verify this by reading the article. With the help of such applications, you can turn an ordinary selfie into a very unusual picture that will definitely catch the eye of a person scrolling through Instagram.
Apply filters
Many of the photographs are good on their own. A well-applied filter can highlight a selfie. In particular, this should help those who are wondering how to take a beautiful selfie. The simplest cameras shoot with various artifacts; they are not able to produce a clear picture. The filter can hide technical flaws.
Nowadays, many pre-installed programs have the function of applying a filter. Camera" And " Gallery" Filters are also available in Instagram and many other clients. Photo editors cannot do without them either.
Summarizing
This concludes our list of tips. The most important rule when taking selfies is to use your imagination. Believe me, your photo most which person occupies, no one will appreciate. Try to come up with something new - go somewhere, take a photo with a landmark in the background, do something unusual... Surprise the viewer! And try not to overuse the front camera - you don’t need to take selfies every day large quantities. This only makes their value decrease.
Today, photography has become a way to present and promote yourself, your creativity or business. We take photographs to capture moments in life or develop our business, but in many situations it is easier and faster to photograph ourselves without outside help. Who knows better than you yourself how to take pictures of you, especially if you use all the tricks of a successful selfie. So, what are these secrets that will help you look beautiful in the photo?
1. Light
The right light is at least 60% of success. When there is good lighting, your face looks best and the quality of the photo is the best. The ideal light is moderately bright and diffused. It’s best to shoot at home with your face facing the window. If the sun is scorching on this day, you can curtain the window with light tulle, which will soften the rays. Outdoor photos work best on a bright but cloudy day. Clouds scatter light in the same way as tulle. In a room, it’s good when the light source is slightly to the side and above eye level, but electric lighting is inferior to natural lighting.
2. Angle
Of course, you need to build on your appearance. You've probably noticed a long time ago when you do your best work. If not, try filming yourself, changing the position of your face a little with each frame. In most cases, the most successful angles are considered to be turning your head 3/4 and shooting from above or slightly above, i.e. The phone should be above eye level. Be sure to catch the light and don't turn against it. Many studies on facial asymmetry have found that left-hand side often looks fresher and younger. Check which side of your face is “working”. Better not film yourself from below. The risk of getting a double chin and a wide face is too great. You can get a very good shot by tilting the phone a little to one side. This way you will direct the viewer's eye in the photo a little differently, which can work into your favor.
3. Makeup
Be sure to mask minor skin imperfections and dark circles under the eyes. Usually the phone camera betrays them treacherously. Beautiful skin best creates a pleasant impression from the photo. Ideally, you can do a full makeover. It is good to highlight the skin with concealer or highlighter. To prevent your face from looking flat, you can highlight your cheekbones. Very impressive shots are obtained if you focus on your lips by choosing bright lipstick. Too lazy to put on makeup? Wear beautiful sunglasses that suit you and highlight your lips.
4. Image
It’s good if you are remembered by some detail. Earrings, necklaces, glasses and other accessories can make a very stylish selfie. Jessica Alba, for example, loves taking photos in hats.
5. Facial expression
It’s better to forget about duckface and smile pleasantly. Even when you're not smiling with your mouth, use the Tyra Banks trick and smile with your eyes. The emotion in the photo makes it very attractive. Take selfies whenever you're in the mood. This way the photos will turn out as natural as possible.
6. Background
Avoid shots with clutter in the background, gloomy passers-by, and simply those who want to ruin your photo. If something like this happens, and there is no way to re-photograph it, treat it with humor and write something funny under the photo. It’s also good if your outstretched arm doesn’t get into the frame. In most cases it looks out of place.
7. Filters and retouching
The higher the quality of the image (see point 1), the more opportunities to process it. Very often, during the processing process, a photo loses quality and an initially weak frame does not improve after retouching. Filters are more efficient. You can highlight the face or add an interesting effect. With photo High Quality you can do everything in combination, successfully retouch and add a filter.
8. More views and likes
If you want to get more likes and views, the time of publication matters. Typically, bursts of activity occur around 7-9 am, when users wake up and check their phones, 11-1 pm, during work breaks, and at 5-6 pm, after the end of the working day. By posting photos at midnight our time, the target audience will be America. Popular hashtags will also attract the attention of fans of relevant topics.
How often do you take selfies? What do you do to look good in photos?
Some people consider selfies to be narcissism, others consider self-indulgence, but sometimes a selfie is the only opportunity to capture yourself against the backdrop of places and attractions. This is well understood by those who like to travel without the company of friends. It is not always possible to ask passers-by to take a photo of you against the backdrop of a majestic cathedral; in many countries and cities this is unsafe, because you can lose your smartphone or camera!
Therefore, you need to learn a few simple rules selfie, so you can take beautiful selfie photos yourself anywhere at any time.
1. Camera position - don't shoot from below!
Never shoot from below, this will help avoid the appearance of a double chin in the photo, but will visually enlarge your eyes. The best selfies are taken if you hold your smartphone slightly above the bridge of your nose.
2. Good angle
The best angle for beautiful selfies is determined by trial and error, but in most cases a slight turn of the head works. Almost every star has a working side - the one with which they look beautiful in the photo. Through experimentation you will find your best side.
3. Don’t take photos of your reflection in the mirror with flash.
Such photos almost always turn out unsuccessful, because the glare from the flash spoils the frame in every possible way.
How to take selfies correctly using filters and Photoshop
4. Use proven Instagram filters
“Celebrity” makeup artist Patrick Ta said that many celebrities use a special filter on Instagram, which almost everyone avoids, since it is not in the main list of filters, but in the settings. Patrick and the celebrities use the red filter, which is found in the photo settings under Color. In his opinion, he makes the photos warmer and then the selfies seem even more beautiful.
5. Photoshop
Don't be shy about editing your photos! On Instagram, many accounts publish photos from professional DSLR cameras, and of course they use Photoshop. Working on yourself isn't just about going to the gym and proper makeup, we must use all means.
6. Clean camera lens
Many girls forget that they constantly touch the camera lens and leave marks on it. The lens gets dirty very quickly, and this affects the quality of the pictures. Sometimes, to get a beautiful selfie, you first need to wipe the camera.
7. Correct background
Does not support selfies at home, this is allowed, because everyone is interested in knowing what environment they live in. It is best for ordinary girls to take selfies against the background beautiful places and interesting events. Never forget what is behind you, take into account all the details. At first it will seem difficult, but then you will automatically notice all the good and bad details, thereby developing attentiveness and good taste.
Correct lighting
Good lighting is half the success. Take photos in bright daylight, outside or near a window. Daylight hides skin imperfections, and hair and eyes look shiny and vibrant. Choose a place where the sun shines on your face and is above eye level. Under no circumstances should you position yourself so that the sun is behind you, otherwise you will end up with a dark and ugly photo.
To make your face appear smoother and brighter, take a self-portrait in soft morning or evening lighting. Too harsh daylight can be diffused with a thin light curtain or a sheet of white transparent paper.
To take a good selfie when shooting at night, try to find a bright source of artificial white light that is in front and above, or use the built-in flash on your gadget. For soft dispersion, buy a special flash attachment.
Favorable angle
The best angle to take a beautiful selfie is when you hold the camera above eye level and turn your face 20-30 degrees to the side. Girls are advised to raise the camera higher, then the look in the photo will be open, the eyes will appear larger, and the contours of the face will be clear and toned. In addition, this angle captures the chest.
To emphasize the hollow on her chest, the girl should bring her elbows together under her bust. A three-quarter angle also suits guys. If you raise your arm, a voluminous biceps will appear in the frame.
When photographing full-length, the face and shoulders should be frontal, and the lower part of the body should be turned semi-sideways towards the lens. This makes the figure look more graceful. For girls, the waist and hips will be beautifully emphasized, and for guys, the shoulders and muscles will be emphasized.
There are also “harmful” angles for shooting. A photo taken from below adds double chin and a couple of extra pounds. If you turn sideways to the light source, the second half of your face will remain in shadow. When shooting strictly from the front, there is a risk of getting a potato nose, folds on the neck or a powerful chin.
Which direction you turn your face also plays a role, because the left and right sides of the face are asymmetrical. Each fashion model has its own “working side” from which it is always photographed. Therefore, you will have to practice to learn how to beautifully photograph yourself from the best side.
Thoughtful background
No matter how strong the urge to snap yourself right now is, look around. If you are on the street or in a crowded place, make sure that people passing by and unnecessary, not very photogenic objects do not get into the frame. Having started a photo shoot at home, tidy up the room and choose an attractive place in your interior. Don’t be lazy to specially prepare a background for shooting; props can include bright pillows, garlands, flowers, paintings, and decorative ornaments.
Special vinyl backdrops for photo shoots are now gaining popularity. Buy a few of these “backgrounds” and you can forget about a bad background in your selfie.
If your imagination is poor, then a win-win option is to take a beautiful selfie - a photo in nature. Green grass, blue sky, flowering trees or fallen leaves always look good in photographs. Use nature colors for your photos.
Take photos of yourself when you are engaged in active recreation and extreme sports in nature, climb into hard-to-reach places and virgin corners of the earth, such backgrounds are always relevant.
With friends and pets
For a photo with a friend, stand close to each other and press your foreheads. Keep the camera strictly in the middle, at eye level or higher. Two friends can take a photo on different distances from the lens. One holds the camera in front of him, the other takes a couple of steps back. You can use the same angles to take a photo with your pet or zoo animal.
Do you want to take a selfie with a large group? Then the main rule is that the photographer should be in the middle so as not to cut off those who are standing on the far edge. It is better to take such a photo from the front or from above. By experimenting with angles, you can also inadvertently cut off a couple of friends.
Accessories
What will help make your portraits even better?
- Filters. Before posting photos on Instagram, experiment with filters. They will adjust the color balance or simply add originality to your self-portraits
- Monopod. The “selfie stick” will help you capture even more of the background and your full-length figure. A monopod is also indispensable for group shots.
- Velcro cover. You can stick a smartphone in this case on the wall and enjoy posing at full height
- Timer. Useful if you need to have time to take a place in the frame
- Applications. Using virtual applications, you can beautifully design a photo: crop it, add brightness, apply a photo effect, make a frame, an inscription, insert a sticker picture and much more.
And most importantly - smile! Sincere photos with a bit of humor always become popular.
The concept of “selfie” has only recently entered the dictionary, but the concept of a self-portrait is not new. Artists created their self-portraits centuries before modern smartphones appeared, however, modern photographs do not at all pretend to be a work of art. But how do you still take the perfect photo? Meet a few practical advice for a great selfie!
Keep your chin down and your camera up
Love her or hate her, Kim Kardashian sure knows how to take a selfie. There is even a wax figure of Kim in the process of taking such a photo, it is on display at Madame Tussauds. In an interview, Kim admitted that she always tries to keep her chin lower and raise the camera higher. If you hold the camera too low, it looks like you have a double chin. If you lift your chin, your nostrils are visible, which doesn’t add much to the selfie. But remember that this angle works for Kim Kardashian because she has a fairly thin face. Your ideal angle depends on your face shape. Try different angles to find the best one. 
Focus not only on the face
Remember that you are more than just your face. You can share other body parts too. Did you buy new shoes? Show off your legs! Walked twenty thousand steps? Show us the fitness tracker on your wrist! You can tell a story with your photo, even if your face isn't in it. If you're relaxing on the beach, sand-covered feet in a hammock create best story than a face in water. When you look at the camera, you are distracted from what is happening around you, so showing off your appearance is not The best way show what is happening to you. A selfie is not just a face, a selfie is you. Try to notice small details too! 
Create the right frame
If you want to convey your feelings through facial expressions, try to shoot with your smartphone closer. Get rid of distracting backgrounds and focus on your eyes. But don't get too close, as the camera focuses on the closest object and that will be your nose. Zoom in close enough to be in the frame, but not too close to ruin the quality of the photo. A smartphone doesn't work like a good camera, so you need to frame your shot correctly. If you're self-conscious about your body, you can focus on your face and posture to look good. 
Divide and conquer
If you place your face in the center of the frame, the photo looks like a passport photo. If this is not your goal, use the basic rule of thirds in photography. Divide the frame into three equal parts vertically and horizontally. Position your face to the left or right of the frame so that your eyes are a third below the screen and not in the very center. This composition allows you to show both your face and what surrounds you. The rule of thirds creates more attractive photos because it allows the eye to move across the photo and back to the subject. 
Photo while taking photo
Sometimes the act of taking a selfie can tell a story. Have someone take your photo while you take your photo. Celebrities often publish photos of themselves with smartphones. 
Crop your photo correctly
The background should be interesting, but not compromising. Always think about your surroundings. Nobody will be interested in you if you have a dumpster behind you. It is better to trim such fragments. 
Should you stick out your lips?
The so-called “duckface” is only suitable for real ducks. The rest of us better pose naturally! 
Add sound
Instead of struggling with trying to press the right button and maintain a pose, simply use the buttons to adjust the volume, this also allows you to take a photo. 
Be careful with filters
There are plenty of filters and apps, but don't go overboard. If there are too many filters on a photo, it looks unnatural. Don't try to hide your natural look! 
Good lighting
The right light is the key to good photography. Poor lighting can ruin your selfie. Always try to take photos in natural light, as fluorescent lights do not flatter your skin tone. However, direct rays of the sun are also not suitable. You need uniform light, not directed directly at you. 
Should I use a selfie stick?
Selfie stick is great way take a photo of both your face and the nature around you. Use this device carefully without disturbing others, especially if you are in some tourist place.
