Taking A Great Self Portrait With Your Camera

All portrait images courtesy of Krystle on morgueFile.com. Krystle is one of morgueFile's top photographers and I would like to offer a personal thank you to her for her generosity in sharing her work.

• Digital camera


• Tripod (recommended)


• Computer with image editing software


• Printer (optional)


• Suitable backdrop


• Yourself!

There are a few different self portrait photography techniques you can use, but first you'll want to look your best. A model would be perfectly styled before going near the camera, and for great results so should you be.

Besides, the better you look in the original photograph, the less time you will need to spend fiddling around with editing software, and the more natural your resulting picture. (Plus, it is not advisable to digitally enhance photographs needed for official purposes such as a passport.)

Start with freshly washed and styled hair. If you wear make-up, take your time over it. If you don't, consider whether a little eye liner or a touch of lipstick would brighten your face. Whether male or female, you might want a touch of face powder to get rid of shiny skin!

Unless you want to show off a specific outfit or costume, wear whatever you feel good in. Colors can really make a difference to your looks so trust your instincts on what looks good on you. The right shade will flatter you, the wrong one will leave you looking drained.

For official photos you should find a plain background - this may need to be white, cream or pale grey.

Informal shots can have a more natural background but, remember, this is all about you. Avoid distracting backgrounds. Choose a plain wall or a screen draped in a subtle fabric for head shots.

If you want to pose in the garden, keep the background simple - leaves are fine, or flowers, but avoid too many colours or people will look at the background, not you.

Here are 5 top tips on How to Compose Photos with Good Backgrounds brought to you by DUMMIES.com.

If you are posing indoors, a full length curtain can be used as a quick background solution. Bright colors can work well as backgrounds. However, the best color backdrop is one that suits your skin tone. Do you look good in blue and cool colours? Or do you suit warmer tones? Some people come alive against shades of red (warm skin tones), others look better against soft shades of pink or blue (cool skin tones).

Check out this link on DIYPhotography net if you want to make your own Muslin Photography Background. Or you can buy ready-made backdrops from Amazon.

Take some tips here from the experts.

Photographer Riccardo Cellere recommends:

• lean in towards the camera to reduce double chin


• angle your body and bend your arms to look slimmer


• keep your shoulders back

Check out his video to see this in action.

For advice from the other side of the camera, model Josie Maran shares her secrets, including some great advice on a natural smile.

So you're looking good and all set up. Before you begin, check you have adequate lighting. Good natural light can be beautiful, as in this image from 'krystle' on morgueFile, but avoid strong sunlight that casts unflattering shadows. For some good advice, follow the advice of Photography.ca in their article on What is good light in photography.

Professionals use a range of lights and reflectors. You can rig up a reflector on the cheap if you don't want to invest in equipment. eHow show you how in How to Make a Homemade Photography Reflector.



[Image credit: user 'krystle' on morgueFile]

Digital cameras these days often have a whole range of features and modes. Here are my tips for selecting the best features for taking a good photo of yourself.

Red eye reduction - Most cameras will let you select red eye reduction mode. This will cause your camera to flash twice, which gives your pupils time to contract so that 'red eye' is prevented.

Portrait mode - Your camera might have a variety of modes you can choose depending on the picture you are taking, for example: scenery, people (close-ups), night shots. Select the mode which is designed for close-up photos of people.

Beauty mode - Some cameras have a 'beauty mode' which is designed for enhancing close-up pictures of faces. It does this by evening out and brightening skin tone. These days, this kind of thing is often done in any case using computer editing, so if you prefer not to spend a lot of time at the computer you might like the results your camera will give in this mode.

Image stabilization - this feature is useful if you are not using a tripod, as it reduces the camera shake that can result from hand-held shots.

This only works if you have very long arms and a steady hand. It's not recommended - the results can be very unflattering - but will do in a pinch. All you do is hold the camera as far from you as you can, smile and press the shutter.

You may have seen pro Riccardo Cellere use this technique in the above video. Even though his shot is quirky and fun, it doesn't make either of them look their best - and he's a professional!

If you do want to try it, keep the camera higher than you so that you are looking up - it gives a nicer shot than straight on. Tilt your head or angle the camera to one side so that you get a cute semi-profile rather than the 'convict mug-shot' look of staring into the lens. In fact, try a few shots where you are not even looking at the camera, for a more natural style.

Pitfalls:


• Short-range shots don't flatter features - particularly noses


• It's hard to keep your hand steady enough, though you may be able to find something to brace it against


• You will have to use guesswork to know if you are in the shot

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Use the camera's timer option. Almost every camera these days has one. Check your manual or look at the on-screen menu to figure out how to set it. The camera may give you a fixed time between your pressing the shutter and the photograph being taken. This could be just a couple of seconds, or may be 10 seconds. Or your camera may give you a choice.

Of course, you won't be holding the camera this time when the picture is taken, so you either need somewhere steady like a shelf or table (at the right height to take a flattering photo of you in your chosen pose) OR the better option is to use a tripod.

Take some trial shots using a placeholder such as a potted plant or other object that you can position as a 'stand-in' for yourself while you are behind the camera. This will allow your camera to correctly focus on your position.

If you have a remote shutter release for your camera, you can pose and click without having to run backwards and forwards. The camera will also be able to focus on you correctly since you'll already be in place.

Mount your camera on a tripod and check that you will be in frame when the photo is taken (using your placeholder object or background).

If your hands are going to be in the shot, you'll need to figure out how to conceal the remote unit. They tend to be small so you may be able to cover it with your hand or disguise it in a piece of fabric.

[Image credit: user 'krystle' on morgueFile]

It's now so easy to find unique photo card designs that let you add your own photo. These trendy invitations from The Spotted Olive are the perfect example. Change the default pic for a photo of yourself and customize the words. In no time at all you have totally personalized invitations to your celebration that will impress all your friends. Use them for a bachelorette, your graduation, or a birthday party... or just because.

Just click an item to visit the store of the designer -- all designs copyright of the respective Zazzle stores linked to below.

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