From birdman to the bad-luck cat, the internet is full of Photoshopped images. The stock photography industry has produced its fair share of cringe-inducing photos in the past few years as well. What does this mean for selfie-lovers? It’s time for your selfie game to level up! However, you choose to look at it, taking a good selfie isn’t as easy as it seems. How do you take a flattering pic? Without a camera timer or a friend who won’t mind being your selfie stand, it can be tricky. That’s why we’re here: to help you take better selfies with just the right amount of self-love and zero photo editing.
How To Take A Selfie Without A Mirror
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Gather Your Gear
Step one is to gather everything you need. You’re going to want a mirrorless camera, a smartphone, a selfie stick, and a selfie-friendly outfit. If you’re shooting with a DSLR, we recommend investing in the Sony RX100 IV. This camera has an excellent sensor and all the necessary accessories to take great photos. The Sony RX100 V is also worth looking into if you’re looking for something that shoots video as well.
The next step is to pick out your smartphone. There are several models on the market for this step, but we recommend the iPhone XS Max or Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Both phones have amazing cameras that can take gorgeous selfies all on their own!
You’ll also want to pick out your selfie stick or tripod. We prefer tripods because they allow you to get much lower than any phone can while still taking great pictures with their built-in stabilizers. However, if you’re looking for something really affordable, we recommend the Selfie Stick by Boonie. It’s small and compact enough that it’ll fit in your pocket without bulging out of it!
Finally, make sure your outfit is selfie-friendly! If you’re not sure what that means, just ask yourself: does my skin look photoshopped? If so, it’s probably not conducive for selfies because there will be too much of an unnatural skin tone difference between your face and body. Wear clothes that don’t make you look like a human lollipop!
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Choose Your Camera and Settings
The Sony RX100 IV is our go-to camera for taking self-portraits because it has an amazing sensor (equivalent to the Sony a7R III) that produces great photos and video. However, if you’re looking for something easier to use, the Canon G7 X II or Nikon D3500 are both great choices. Both cameras have a sharp lens, can shoot in RAW format, and have on-screen displays so you can see what your pictures will look like before you take them!
If you’re shooting with your phone, we recommend shooting in RAW. This will allow you to go back and edit your photos if necessary. However, if you want to keep things simple, we recommend shooting in JPEG because it’s more versatile than RAW and gives the best results when it comes to brightness and color balance. If taking photos with your smartphone is too much of a hassle, consider using a photo booth instead!
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Set Your Camera’s Focus Mode
The Sony RX100 IV has an autofocus mode called “Eco Mode” that’s perfect for selfies because it keeps the shutter open as long as possible without focusing on anything specific. In this mode, the camera focuses on the closest object that’s within range while keeping the shutter open as long as possible without focusing on anything specific. This allows for a more natural blur when taking selfies because there’s less focus on your face.
It’s also important to choose the right aperture setting when taking selfies. The aperture is the opening in the lens that lets light into the camera, while the shutter speed is how long it stays open. The smaller the number, the less light gets in, and therefore you’ll need a brighter or slower shutter speed to avoid overexposing your photos. If you’re unsure about what aperture you should use for your selfie, just remember this rule of thumb: f/1.4 is ideal because it gives you good depth of field (meaning you can keep both eyes in focus) but still creates a blurry background with a nice bokeh effect!
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Take Your Selfie and Be Patient
Now it’s time to take your selfie! If you’re using your phone, just tap on “Take Photo” on Instagram or Snapchat. If using an actual camera, we recommend using a tripod so that your hands are free to do other things while shooting (like holding up an umbrella or balancing yourself on something). When taking pictures with a smartphone, make sure to bring up Instagram’s front-facing camera so that you can see what your photo will look like before pressing “Take Photo.” This way you can adjust any settings if necessary and know exactly where to stand if needed!
If using an actual camera, we recommend using a tripod so that your hands are free to do other things while shooting (like holding up an umbrella or balancing yourself on something).
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Edit Your Photo
Once your photo is taken, it’s time to edit! Open up your Instagram app on your phone and tap “Edit.” Select “Photos” from the left-side menu and then select the photo you want to edit. You can change the picture’s caption, add filters and even choose a new profile picture if you want. You can’t do this once you’ve shared a photo on Facebook, but you can always come back here and do it after sharing! If you’re using an actual camera, just find the photo in your camera roll (the place where all of your photos are stored) and then edit away!
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Share Your Photo
Choose whether or not to share on Instagram or Snapchat once you’re done editing your photo on social media. Choose wisely because if you don’t use both platforms for sharing photos, only one will show up in your feed! Once you’ve selected which platform to share with, it’s time to upload!
What Are Some Tips For Taking A Good Selfie?
1. Practice!
If you want to take great selfies, you need to practice. Practice makes perfect, so we suggest taking photos in front of a mirror and practicing without your phone/camera in front of you. This way, if you mess up on the first selfie, you can still look at yourself and practice angles, lighting and facial expressions.
2. Use Selfie Sticks or Tripods
If taking selfies is too daunting for you or if your hands are occupied while trying to hold up an umbrella or balance on a rock, then consider using one of these tools: Selfie sticks: These are basically just sticks that have a camera attached to them (so they’re not really stuck). They are especially helpful for people who want to take professional-looking photos without having their hands held up. If using self-timer mode on Snapchat or Instagram, these selfie sticks can also be used as tripods!
Selfie stick (left) and tripod (right)
3. Use a Selfie Stick with Your Phone
If using an actual camera and not just your phone’s front-facing camera, then consider using a selfie stick. This way your arms are free for other things such as holding an umbrella or balancing on rocks!
4. Experiment with Angles and Focal Lengths
Consider experimenting with different angles when taking photos of yourself so that your photo looks more interesting when it appears in your feed! Try shooting from different heights to see what works best for your face. For example, shooting from above can make your nose look smaller, shooting from below can make your nose look bigger, and shooting from straight on can make your eyes look bigger or smaller.
5. Experiment with different Lighting
Consider experimenting with different lighting in order to get the best photo possible! Try using the flash on your phone to get rid of shadows or using a bright light source like a lamp or window to make your face look extra-smiley.
6. Experiment with Facial Expressions
If you’re not sure what facial expression to use, smile! Smiling will make your photo more interesting and less boring. If you’re not sure what kind of smile to use, use one of these:
Smiling (left) and laughing (right)
7. Use Your Phone’s Selfie Mode
If you can’t hold up an umbrella or balance on a rock, then consider using your phone’s selfie mode . Some smartphones have this feature built-in, but if not, try downloading an app like Camera+ and experiment with different angles and facial expressions.
8. Experiment with Different Lighting
Consider experimenting with different lighting in order to get the best photo possible! Try using the flash on your phone to get rid of shadows or using a bright light source like a lamp or window to make your face look extra-smiley.
Final Word:
Experiment, Experiment, Experiment! The key to taking great selfies is experimenting. When you’re taking a photo of yourself or your friends, consider experimenting with different angles and facial expressions. And above all else, don’t be afraid to experiment!
