Taking The Perfect Selfie: 10 Ways To Look Incredible Every Time
We’re living in the golden age of selfies, with more people than ever making use of their smartphones to snap away the perfect shots. If you don’t feel particularly photogenic, it can make taking the perfect selfie very difficult, even nerve-wracking. While practice can go a long way to helping you take a gorgeous selfie, there are also some tricks that can help even the most camera-shy person take great photos.
The key, in most cases, is confidence. The more confident you feel when taking a photo, the better the resulting image will be. This is why often some of the best selfies are taken spontaneously or while out and about. Some people even recommend having a drink or two before taking a selfie to loosen up a little. For most people, all you need is a bit of practice, and you’ll be taking model-worthy selfies in no time.
Get The Lighting Right
Natural or artificial, bright or muted, the debate over the right lighting for a selfie has been around for as long as selfies themselves. Typically, it is best to avoid lighting directly overhead or midday sunlight, as these can cast unattractive shadows on your face.
Many selfie-takers swear by the so-called Golden Hour – the last hour of buttery warm sunlight before sunset. This lighting is well known in the photography world for casting a beautiful glow on any picture and can be perfect for selfies. Artificial lights can also be advantageous, but they will need to be positioned correctly to avoid creating shadows.
Know Which Side Is Your Best Side
The idea of having a best side is not a new one, with photographers and celebrities throughout the ages being aware of the importance of being able to identify your most flattering side.
Normally, you’ll be able to identify your best side by taking photos from each side and assessing which angle you like best. This is best done with the same makeup, lighting and background so that you can get an accurate picture. It can be hard to quantify what makes one side or the other better, but most people will know it when they see it.
Angle Your Phone Down
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in selfies is to angle the camera up and from below. This can create the appearance of the dreaded double chin, even in people with slim faces. Any selfie you take should be from above, which slims out the face and makes the eyes appear larger.
A good way to start is to hold your smartphone at arm’s length, directly in front of your face. Then, move the camera around six inches upwards and to the side. It is best to play around with angles for a little while until you find the sweet spot that suits your face best.
Practice Your Selfie Pose
The selfie pose itself is often the hardest thing to get right. You’ll need to practice it enough that it feels and looks natural. Looking effortless and natural is one of the key elements of taking a truly memorable selfie. It is also a good idea to practice a few different selfie styles, as taking the exact same photo over and over might get a little repetitive for your social media feeds.
Style Your Hair To Minimise Flaws
Styling your hair well can be a major asset in any selfie. Hair can frame the face, giving the appearance of sleeker lines and slimmer cheeks. It is a good idea to try out your favourite styles and take selfies with each so that you know how best to position your hair in photographs.
Thinning hair or hair loss can be tough to work with in selfies and upsetting to deal with in general. It may help to look at hair thickening or restorative treatments to keep your locks looking great. Hair loss is more common than you might think in women, but there are treatments available. You can find out more here from the experts at Chemist4U.
Consider Your Background
The last thing you want in your selfie is a background that is cluttered or messy. This will draw attention away from you and might bring on some teasing from your friends and family. You’ll need to find a neutral, clean background so that the only thing that shines in your selfie is you. An outdoor shot can be ideal, using nature as an effortlessly beautiful and stylish backdrop. You should also be cautious about using an entirely plain background, which can give the selfie an overly clinical feel.
Share The Spotlight
A great way to put yourself at ease when taking photos is by sharing the image with something or someone else. It can often feel a little strange standing by yourself and smiling away at the camera in your hand, so consider grabbing a friend or a pet to join you in your latest selfie adventures. Posing with someone or something can help make your selfie more interesting and give you an added boost of confidence which will make all the difference.
Make Eye Contact
Some of the most compelling selfies are of people gazing directly into the camera lens. If you’re taking a photo using the front-facing camera, it can be easy to accidentally look at your image instead of the lens. This is a habit you’ll need to break if you want to snap the perfect selfie. It may take a bit of practice until you find the perfect spot to fix your gaze, but the results will be well worth it.
Get Some Basic Photo Editing Skills
It’s best not to edit any photos you take too heavily, as it is normally pretty noticeable. The same goes for the excessive use of filters. However, if you snap the perfect selfie and notice that you have a spot forming on your nose that you forgot to cover with concealer, photo editing can be your best friend.
The photo editing tools available now make it simple and easy to remove any blemish from your photo before you post it online. You can also use these tools to clean up the background, removing unwanted photobombers and anything else that will draw away attention from your winning smile.
Try Out Different Makeup Looks
Makeup is an excellent way to help you look and feel more confident when taking a selfie. Selfie practice can be a great excuse to try out different makeup looks at home until you find your new favourite beauty routine.
Whenever you’re not feeling overly photogenic, it could be a good idea to try a makeup look that is a little outside of your normal comfort zone. Trying something new can give you an instant boost of confidence and add a little excitement to practising your selfies.
Conclusion
Love them or hate them; selfies are here to stay. It’s never the easiest thing in the world to take pictures of yourself, particularly if you aren’t feeling very confident. This is why practice and an understanding of angles, lighting and composition can be invaluable to help you take the best possible selfies.
The more confident you feel, the more natural and attractive you’ll look in your selfies. It is a good idea to experiment with your smartphone camera until you find the combination of factors that help you look incredible every time.
