How to create an interesting self-portrait
Published: 02.01.2022
Quite often, photographers do not have their own photos after important events in life. Sometimes it's frustrating that everyone is in a group photo except the photographer, so you have to remember the event only by looking at portraits of friends. To leave a memory of yourself or to express yourself, take self-portraits. No one knows better than you how you want to present yourself in a photo, how to choose the best angle, and get an image that fully satisfies you. With the advent of selfie cameras in smartphones, millions of self-portraits have flooded the internet. But not all of them seem interesting and look good. Let's consider what needs to be taken into account to create a truly interesting and high-quality self-portrait.
What are the ways to create self-portraits?
A self-portrait can be made in three popular ways:
- Take a selfie using the built-in camera of your smartphone. This is the simplest and most popular way. Almost all modern smartphones have a built-in camera that is easy and convenient to use. The advantage of taking a selfie with the front camera is that you can see your image, control the angle and facial expressions. The downside is that the built-in camera can only capture a limited image. To capture not only your face, but as much space as possible in the frame, use a selfie stick or take a reflection in a mirror. Another drawback of built-in cameras is the insufficient quality of the photos. No matter how hard you try to take a successful self-portrait on a smartphone, its quality will still be lower than shooting with a mirrorless camera.
- Shooting with a DSLR camera and a tripod. If you buy a tripod, you will definitely not regret it. With a tripod, you can take photos with a long exposure, stabilize the camera to get a clearer image, and when creating a self-portrait, it is impossible to do without it. It is also useful to have a remote shutter release for the camera. Almost all cameras have a delayed timer function, but it is difficult to run to the shooting location and get into the right position in 10-30 seconds. With a remote control, it will be much more comfortable to take self-portraits.
- Creating a self-portrait with the help of a friend is the most optimal option. You can adjust all the settings and then simply ask your friend to press the shutter button. However, there isn't always someone nearby to help take the photo, so it's better to rely on yourself when creating a self-portrait and learn all the necessary techniques in advance.
What should be considered when creating a self-portrait
To create an interesting and high-quality self-portrait, we recommend paying attention to the following points:
- Choose a lens with a focal length of at least 75mm, and for a full-length portrait, use a wide-angle lens so you can capture more space in the frame.
- Pay attention not only to your posture and facial expression, but also to what is in the background. Often, when we travel alone or visit interesting places, we want to capture ourselves against a beautiful backdrop of landmarks. Make sure that the background fits in the frame and complements your portrait well. If you are taking photos at home, remove any unnecessary items from the background, it's best to choose a plain light-colored wall, so nothing will distract attention from your self-portrait.
- Choose the lighting carefully. Good lighting can greatly enhance your portrait, while bad lighting can ruin even the most interesting shot. When taking photos at home, choose a spot near a window where natural sunlight comes in. When shooting outdoors, opt for early morning or evening hours when the sun is less harsh, resulting in softer and warmer light.
- Make sure that the focus is set correctly. When taking photos in automatic mode, there is a risk that the camera will focus not on you, but on the wall or surrounding objects. It is difficult to control the focus when taking selfies, as you are not near the camera at the last moment. Try to focus on the exact spot where you will be positioned. You can place an object at that spot and experiment with the focus settings.
- Do not overdo it with filters when creating self-portraits. Modern built-in cameras immediately allow you to apply a filter to a photo, smooth out all skin imperfections, and improve yourself beyond recognition. However, such self-portraits look absolutely unrealistic and are more likely to repel than attract attention. Be honest, show yourself in a self-portrait as you are. Of course, you can remove a pimple or another skin defect from the picture, but do not apply too many filters, otherwise the skin will look like a mask, and your selfie will resemble a wax figure.
Take pictures of yourself as often as possible, experiment with facial expressions and angles. Over time, you will know your best side and understand which angle works best for you. When using a selfie camera, hold the phone slightly above eye level to accentuate your gaze and avoid showing a double chin in the photo. When taking a selfie in front of a mirror, make sure the camera is not blocking your face, move it slightly to the side. Invite your friends or pets into the frame, as such selfies will look even more interesting. Try different angles and positions, and you will definitely end up with good self-portraits that you won't be ashamed to show to others.
Cool photos deserve unusual framing. Print your cool photos in a Polaroid style. Fans of instant photography from the 90s may experience familiar feelings when holding a Polaroid-style photo in their hands. Those unfamiliar with traditional Polaroids may enjoy square images with space for captions.
