Taking selfies is so second nature at this point that everyone thinks they’re pros at it. However, there’s an art to it that not everyone has mastered. If you’re aware that your selfie game needs a little work, it’s never too late to learn. Ready to take perfect shots of your beautiful self? Here are 10 easy but effective tips that will take your selfies from meh to wow:
Find your light
Photo by Fausto Sandoval on UnsplashDon’t ever underestimate the power of good lighting. Seriously, that’s a big mistake we all make when taking photos. Always remember that natural light works best, so whenever you’re trying to get a good selfie, stand near a window or go outside if possible. If you can’t have natural light, harsh overhead lights will do nothing for you. Go for a ring light instead and adjust the brightness in a way that suits your complexion without creating harsh shadows.
Know your angles
Photo by Rafael Cisneros Méndez on UnsplashListen, unless you’re blessed with a perfectly symmetrical face, some angles will be better than others. That’s why it’s important to find the right angle for your face. To do that, hold the camera slightly above eye level. This can enhance your features and avoid the dreaded double chin. Then, tilt your head to the right, snap a few photos, tilt your head to the left, and repeat. Try different expressions as well. After that, you can assess all the photos and determine what angle you feel brings out your beauty the most. When you’re assessing the selfies remember to be kind to yourself! You’ll feel the urge to be hypercritical and focus on perceived flaws, but reign that in; compliment yourself instead.
Always check the background
Photo by kevin turcios on UnsplashIs there anything worse than taking an amazing selfie only to notice that your background is a complete mess? It’s not aesthetic at all and it takes time to make it look decent through photo editing or Photoshop. To save yourself the pain, find a simple, clean background every time you want to take selfies. That will keep the focus on your face and look more aesthetically pleasing overall.
Use a good camera
Photo by Taan Huyn on UnsplashWe’re not saying you should have a dedicated selfie camera. Your smartphone already has everything you need. However, it’s important to accept that the smartphone selfie camera is not always the best. Sure, it does make taking selfies easier, but the back camera is actually a lot better. Trust that the quality difference will be worth the little extra effort of taking selfies without seeing the screen.
Keep it steady, keep it steady!
Photo by Steve Gale on UnsplashBlurry selfies are a no-go. Keep your hand steady or use a tripod or a selfie stick for more stability. If you’re prone to shaky hands, try using the timer function on your smartphone camera. That will remove the need to hit the button, which reduces movement. Also, when your arm gets tired, just take a break instead of pushing through. A tired arm will just make your hands shakier!
Mind the way you frame your selfies
Photo by June Aye on UnsplashWhen you’re focusing on your beautiful face, it’s easy to lose sight of the way you’re framing your shot. The golden rule is to avoid cutting off important parts of your face or head. The best way to ensure this is to keep your eyes one-third of the way down from the top of the frame. That’s generally the most flattering to everyone, but don’t hesitate to try different things to find what you like.
Learn the art of subtle editing
Using filters is fine and good, but they usually mess with the quality of the image. The best thing you can do is learn how to edit your own photos. Apps like Lightroom or Snapseed offer all the features you could possibly need. The most important ones are brightness, contrast, and saturation, so learn how to play with those to find the settings that work for you. Remember to keep it natural! Over-editing will ruin a perfectly good selfie and no one wants to look like a product of AI.
Play with little props
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels
Adding personality to your selfies is all about playing with your facial expressions, but you can also use props. Accessories are the most common props for selfies, so think of sunglasses, fun earrings, cool rings for when you do hand poses, necklaces, etc. Just make sure whatever prop you choose doesn’t overshadow you! Influencers can be a great source of inspiration for this.
Use your flash carefully
Photo by Darya Sannikova on Pexels
Usually, people avoid using their flash. It can create harsh shadows and also make your eyes look red. However, if you’re out and about and you need that extra light, you have to do what you have to do. Keeping the flash as far as possible from your face will help, so take the selfie from above at arm's length while minding your angles. Also, consider getting and external selfie light, that will be much flattering than the flash.
Let your confidence shine through and have fun!
Photo by Brittani Burns on UnsplashThe most important tip of all is to be confident and have fun when you’re taking selfies. It’s really not a big deal and don’t hesitate to take more photos than you think you’ll need. Experiment with your poses, smile widely, and let your personality show. The more you practice taking selfies, the better you’ll get. Once you find what works for you, every selfie will be a hit.
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