When I announced I was going to start writing more about photography, my blogging sister Charline asked me for advice on how to take selfies (I prefer to call them "self portraits" but I can't help feel a bit pretentious when I do). She said that she struggled to get her makeup visible on camera, which was actually a problem I had too when I first started. So I thought I'd write about what I do when I'm taking pictures of myself for people who feel about taking selfies the way I feel about learning SEO - scared, confused, and overwhelmed.
The Camera Setup:
First of all, I'd highly recommend using a tripod and a remote if you have one, as it just makes photography a lot easier. Set the camera up right in front of a window, as natural lighting really is your best friend with self-portraits. If you're using a DSLR, use a mid-range or zoom lens as wide angle lenses will distort the face (if your camera doesn't have interchangeable lenses, just zoom in a bit, same thing). Then use a wide aperture setting to get some nice background blur going on - on my DSLR, I turn the dial to AV mode and then lower the number, normally to something like f/2.0.
The Photoshoot:
So now we've set everything up, let's talk about what to do in front of the camera. Don't be afraid to get really close to the camera, especially when capturing makeup. In the picture above, I think my face was a little further than an arm's length away from the lens. Then make sure the camera is focused on your eyes - that's the bit viewers will naturally look at - and look down. Looking down means we'll get to see more of that eyeshadow that you blended out so beautifully, plus it's a very flattering angle.
With any kind of photography, I've always said individual style is more important than technical skill - but I hope this has helped you feel a bit braver with taking selfies. Do you have any tips?