Tips for Self-Portraits

On today's Tuesday tutorial edition, I want to offer some tips to taking better self-portraits.  These are things I have come to learn after almost a year of documenting my life and style through pictures.  When you are the force in front of - and behind - the camera, it allows for more creative control because you can set the shot up exactly how you want it.  But at other times, being your own photographer can feel limiting and intimidating.  To ensure that you get the most out of your photos, keep these tips in mind!

What You Will Need.

1.  Camera.  I use my Canon T1i Rebel, with the standard kit lens (18-55 mm) for self portraits.  However, a point and shoot works just as well.  

2.  Tri-pod.  No need to spend big bucks on it.

3.  Remote shutter release.  Only if you want to avoid breaking a sweat running back and forth setting timers

4.  Confidence.  Because taking pictures of yourself can be awkward.

Things to Consider.

1.  Background.  Two items make a photo; the subject and the background.  Look at both components as equal parts.  When it comes to personal style photos, your background is an extension of your outfit.  Therefore, it should complement what you are wearing, not compete with it.  

If you are in an earthy outfit, go outside and find an open field with warm sunlight.

If your outfit is a little more edgy, find some cool architecture or a wall with bold color.

Do pick up on similar or contrasting colors and textures.

Don't pose in front of noisy backgrounds. i.e., walls with lots of graffiti, or places with lots of people/cars in the background.  Noisy backgrounds detract from the subject and the eye doesn't know where to look.

No.

Don't pose with your house in the background or in your dark bedroom.  It looks amateur.
 
When all else fails, do find a plain wall to stand in front of, and let the subject speak for itself.

2.  Lighting.  The best times of day to take pictures are in the morning or evening when the sun is either rising or setting.  At these hours, the sun is softest.  If you have to take pictures in the middle of the day, find shade to avoid harsh light and shadows on your face.  However, make sure the shade is not spotty, i.e. under a tree, which can cause spotty light and shadows to appear through leaves onto your subject.

3.  Natural light is amazing, and it is your friend.  Always shoot without a flash to obtain the most natural looking photographs.  Only use a flash whenever it is absolutely necessary.  You can always make post production adjustments.

Focusing.

This is the most difficult aspect of self-portrait taking.  I don't know how many times I have taken a batch of photographs to find that the pictures were blurry.  To ensure that your camera focuses, set up a tall prop where you will be standing and focus the camera on it.  Set the timer, and then quickly move the prop out of the way and stand directly where you placed it.  This is when a remote would come in handy, so you do not have to run back and forth setting up and taking down your prop.

Modeling.

Feel uninhibited in front of the camera and let your personality shine through your photos.  Move around, laugh out loud, smile, smolder.  The point is to convey natural emotion.  Sure, you might look crazy doing it, but no one ever called you normal.  I kid, I kid.  Besides, the best part about taking your own picture is that over time, you learn how to pose.  For instance, it can look funny to pose with arms straight at the side.  (At least in my case).  So, bend an elbow slightly, or put hands on the waist to break up the length.  Over time, you learn what looks good, what doesn't, what you like, what you don't, and you can take all that information and direct others when you are behind the lens.  And that's a beautiful thing.  

It's All in the Numbers.

Take tons of photographs.  Take 100.  Take 200.  Take 400.  The more photos you take, the more chances for capturing that perfect picture.  Because let's face it, we don't look flawless in every photo.  There are eye blinks, bad angles, funny expressions, out of place accessories, the list goes on.  Bottom line is, more photos means more options.  Period.

Composition.

Make the photo interesting through composition.  Don't just stand there!  Zoom in.  Zoom out.  Try different angles.  Get up close to the camera.  Get on the ground.  Play with lines.  Crop the subject.  Some of these actions can be done in post editing, but when you try different things while shooting, you may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.  If not, press erase.

 

And most importantly, when it comes to taking a self-portrait, be you!