How to Take the Perfect Selfie
Thanks to the convenience of smartphones, the selfie has become the modern equivalent to the classic self-portrait. Why is it though, that some people’s selfies pop with interesting features while others look awful? Is it duckface? It’s duckface, isn’t it?
Well no, at least, not entirely (although let’s face it, no-one looks good making duckface). Once you learn how to take good selfies you’ll be posting vibrant, interesting selfies as well. Just keep the following tips in mind next time you reach for your device camera:
Angles are Your Friends
Facing the camera directly often produces uninteresting (and unflattering) selfies. Instead, angle your face slightly. The right angle highlights your cheekbones and makes your eyes look wider. If your shoulders are parallel to the camera, turn slightly.
Experiment with taking angled selfies from the right and left—most people have a “best side” that produces more flattering photographs, and it’s usually easy to identify.
Crop in Tight
Background images in selfies usually make the photo look busy and distract from the selfie’s main subject—you. there are exceptions to this, of course: if you’re visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza you may want them in the background, but otherwise, crop in tight to focus on your face. Not only does this draw the eye’s attention, getting in tight for the selfie also disguised the fact you’re holding the phone.
The Right Light
The right light makes all the difference in photography. Stand next to the sun streaming through a window and experiment with taking the selfie from different directions to take advantage of the light. Or go outside to take advantage of natural light.
Bold Accessories
Bright, bold accessories draw the eye in selfies. a pair of bold earrings frame the face, while bright lipstick makes your lips the focal point of the picture (an excellent tip for when you want to send a picture to that special someone).
More than Faces
Selfies usually focus on the face, but other parts of your body make intriguing photo subjects. Got a new pair of shoes or a goofy pair of slippers? Take a selfie of they on your feet. Newly-polished fingernails, a wrist with a new bracelet, an ear with a bright earring—all can make unique selfie subjects.
Add Interest
If we could distill how to take good selfies into a single tip, it would be this: be interesting. Selfies don’t need to be passive. Cuddle with your new puppy. Take the shot on the beach, while hiking, or while on vacation. An active selfie grabs people’s attention, so as long as you’re not putting yourself in danger while taking the shot, get active!
Be Expressive
Add some emotion to your face. Are you happy or sad? Angry, embarrassed, confused, or just feeling goofy? Let your facial expression tell a story and you have a much more interesting selfie.
Use the Volume Controls
One of the great challenges of taking a selfie is not losing focus when you take the shot. Touching the shutter button moves the camera slightly, increasing the risk your once-in-a-lifetime selfie will be a blurry mess. Fortunately, both Android and iPhone devices allow you to use the volume controls to take photos when the camera’s open. iPhones even allow you to use your microphone volume control as a shutter.
If that doesn’t work, set the camera to a delayed timer. This gives you a few seconds to get the camera back into focus after you press the shutter button.
Let’s face it you can take a million selfies before you find that perfect one. Free up space on your phone to be able to get that perfect selfie with Picture Keeper Connect. To learn more and start protecting your memories, click here!