What kind of face can you make in a selfie? Beautiful selfie on your phone - Rules for taking photos. Only use a mirror if it is the only way to get the photo you want.

However, not always, when there is a desire to capture yourself in an interesting place, there is a person nearby who can help. But this is not a reason to abandon the idea, because you can always take a selfie! And we asked the photographer about how to photograph yourself correctly so that the pictures turn out beautiful and interesting Arkady Sobolev.

- Essentially, a selfie is the same self-portrait. There is nothing new, except for the name, in this method of photography,- says Arkady. - Nowadays it is generally accepted that a selfie is just a photo with a face in the frame. But any photo can be made interesting. For example, you can put the camera on a tripod or any suitable surface, set a timer, step away - and also take a selfie.

As Arkady rightly noted, a selfie is an ordinary photograph, therefore the rules for these methods of shooting will be almost the same.

Technique

You should always consider what technique you use to take a selfie - your phone can come to the rescue GoPro camera, a regular point-and-shoot camera or a professional camera. When capturing yourself on your phone, you need to take into account that the front camera is always worse than the rear one, so it needs better shooting conditions.

- The advantage of the front camera is that you can see yourself while shooting. But it also has serious drawbacks. For example, most often the camera located on the front of the phone is wide-angle, which may result in some distortion. For example, if you raise the phone higher than your head, your forehead will automatically become wider and your chin narrower. The opposite effect will occur if you lower the phone down,- Arkady enlightens us. - Considering all these factors, it is better to hold the phone at approximately eye level while taking pictures. You can slightly adjust the angle to hide any imperfections if necessary, but you should always remember that a large angle greatly distorts the proportions of the face.

Light

-The best friend and at the same time enemy of any photographer is light,- says Arkady. - You should always try not to take pictures against the sun to avoid squinting your eyes. Having moved into the shadow, it is better to turn your back to the source of this shadow - then there will be no sudden changes in light. Otherwise, you risk getting a bleached background.

If you take a selfie indoors, you need to take into account that the light most often comes from lamps on the ceiling, and they create hard shadows under the nose, under the eyes - in general, under all protruding parts of the face. Based on this, you need to look for a place where the lighting will be as even as possible. “You need to look for balance in everything and avoid changes in light. It’s better to take pictures either completely in the shade or completely in the light - but not when you can’t open your eyes normally from the sun. Remember that the camera always focuses on the brightest."


Composition

- You should always remember that the main thing in a selfie is actor there must still be a “selfie taker”, so the key to a good photograph is the absence of unnecessary objects and unnecessary people in the frame,- Arkady warns. - You should always keep an eye on what's behind you. And when setting up the composition, pay attention to the fact that nothing sticks out of your head, for example.

When shooting - be it a selfie or a regular photograph - you always need to use your head, come up with original poses, and look for interesting “backdrops”. Because the same type and monotonous photographs quickly get boring. Selfies in which something is happening around a person always attract attention. Include your surroundings. Pictures whose composition is focused on the center of the frame always look best - for example, if you are photographing on railway tracks, then it is better to choose an angle in which the perspective lines (that is, the rails) will converge on your head.

Selfie in the mirror

- The main rule that you need to remember when photographing yourself in the mirror is not to look at yourself in the phone, as for some reason most girls do. Pictures turn out much more interesting if you look into the camera lens through reflection - then contact with the viewer occurs and the photo looks much more advantageous - Arkady repeats several times.

As for the phone itself, it can be moved to the side or played around so that it also becomes an actor in the frame. This is where imagination and hard training will come to the rescue.

And a little about the concept

- As a photographer with 10 years of experience, I have nothing against selfies. The only thing I don't like is the pictures with elongated lips. Is not cool! A million identical “duckfaces”, when each subsequent photo does not tell anything new about a person, is boring. And considering that such photographs are usually taken by girls, I, as a man, can say that no one likes these “ducks”.

A selfie is about showing a person somewhere. This is a kind of check-in with the help of photography, so it’s always interesting to look at original photographs. Don’t be afraid to come up with new concepts and create entire photo projects, as a girl from Russia did, using a selfie to show the everyday life of a mother of a small child. It's cool when photography goes beyond just fun and turns into something more.

As for people who consider selfies to be degradation and something abnormal, Arkady says this: “If you want to take a selfie, do it. If you don't want to, don't do it. And if you want to, but don’t do it, then it’s already something in your head.”


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For several years, people had no idea what a “selfie” was. Now, this word is perhaps the most common on the Internet, on blogs and social networks. Every day a huge number of selfies are published online - self-portraits taken from tablets and mobile phones. And the editors of Sekretik magazine found out how to take the right selfies.

Don't stay away, get involved

If you haven't posted your photos online yet, you've probably looked at selfies of your friends or celebrities. Among them, undoubtedly, there are good and interesting photographs, but there are also frankly unsuccessful, caricatured and extremely dangerous ones.

The main idea of ​​a selfie is to take your photo now and in this exact place. It would seem that you don’t have to bother. But if you don’t want your photo to be made fun of or lost without a trace on the Internet, follow certain rules.

Take the right selfie

It seems that everything is very simple: hold your smartphone at arm's length or stand in front of a mirror and press a button. In fact, to take good, high-quality and original photographs you need to work a little.

Equipment

The main attribute is a mobile phone with a good camera. Despite the fact that most people use the front camera of their phone, the pictures taken with the rear camera are better.

A camera, even a DSLR, is not exactly what you need for a selfie. Although as an option it is quite possible.

Background for the photo

Do you want to capture yourself in front of a specific landscape: rose bushes, snowy peaks or alpine meadows? Be natural and everything will work out.

The purpose of the photo is just you - pay attention to what is there in the background. It is better if there are no people behind you who can distract attention from your person.

Angle

Try to choose a position in which you look most advantageous. Listen to the advice of professional photographers:

  • A strong tilt of the head back distorts the oval of the face.
  • A shot with the body rotated three-quarters looks better than a profile and full face.
  • When stretching your arm forward, do not overdo it - in the photo it may turn out to be absurdly long.
  • Positioning the camera too low or high will make the image in the photo disproportionate.

Lighting

Before starting a photo shoot, look around to see if there is enough light. The sun or artificial light source should be directly in front of you, slightly above eye level. If the lamp or the sun is behind your back, facial features and clothing details will be blurred. On the other hand, a shot in a halo of sunlight can be very interesting.

Poses

Many cool and seductive poses, according to girls, look funny and vulgar in the photo. Some selfies, such as the duck face, pretending to be asleep, or pretending to be caught off guard, are no longer trendy.

Staged body positions, fake emotions, forced smiles are no longer interesting to anyone. If you want to hug, make faces, laugh - go for it, just be as natural as possible.

Makeup

If you intend to post selfies on social networks, be more attentive to your appearance. Even if you don't wear makeup at all, a little makeup won't hurt you. Tint your eyelashes, apply gloss to your lips, remove dark circles under your eyes and see how much better you look in the photo.

Makeup is an integral part of your life - don’t overdo it. Remember the golden mean.

  • Smoky eyes are not a good option. Smoky, dense shadows look heavy and massive.
  • Focusing on the lower eyelid will make the eyes appear smaller.
  • Ungroomed eyebrows will make your entire face look sloppy.
  • Selfies and “Spider” eyelashes are not compatible.

Devices

Gadget manufacturers couldn't stay away from the fashion craze. The process of creating a selfie was made very easy by creating monopods. If you don’t know what to give your friend, buy a selfie stick. A shooting stick consists of a housing for attaching a camera or smartphone and a telescopic structure. Within a minute, the small tube turns into a photo device. The higher the cost of a monopod, the more complex the design.

Photo processing

If you decide to post a photo online, check the quality again. Try to edit your photo using photo editors, photo filters and photo effects, but don't get carried away. Don't forget that the main thing in a selfie is naturalness. If the photo is completely unsuccessful, it’s better to retake it, it will take less time and effort.

When it comes to showing off your new look, the position you take in front of the mirror often makes all the difference. You definitely don't want a selfie of you standing at attention - it can make you look old-fashioned in the photo. There are three when taking a selfie in the mirror.

Extend your leg. This pose is considered a win-win option when all other poses have failed. This pose makes the body look slimmer and also gives a good look to the outfit. And don't forget to put your sock out!

Place your feet apart. A full-length selfie a priori cannot be unsuccessful, especially if you want to demonstrate the entire image. Just remember to spread your legs slightly to the sides, thereby creating a smooth curve that is flattering.

Cross your legs and bend your knee. The classic leg-crossing pose, where you stand with your legs crossed one over the other, with your feet sometimes touching. We offer a slightly different variation. Cross your legs with one knee slightly bent, with the toe of your bent leg pointing toward the floor. This pose is especially flattering on midi and maxi skirts. And a bent knee, pointed forward towards the mirror, makes your legs look longer and slimmer.

Select phone location

One of the best places to place your phone is slightly to the side, right next to your face. But if you want to look slimmer, hold your phone close to the mirror and place it under your chin. There are pros and cons to this position. Thanks to this arrangement, the body looks smaller, but the head seems unnaturally large.

Maintain proportions

Here are some wise tips on how to keep your head from appearing big and your legs from appearing fat.

Focus on the waist. Add a belt, tie a shirt around your waist, or wear a jacket that reaches your hips.

Be mindful of your hairstyle. Loose hair sometimes weighs down the look when it comes to a photo in a mini Instagram frame. So for such photos it is better to pull your hair up. A high hairstyle lengthens the body and does not obscure the details of the image.

Avoid distractions

You don't want anything to distract attention from you. The key to solving the problem is cleanliness.

Make sure the background is clear. Don't forget to remove unnecessary items and sort out the pile of clothes in the background. It will be very awkward if all visitors to your page see the mess in your room.

Wipe the mirror. If you take a selfie in front of a dirty mirror, the result will be disastrous - strange stains and streaks on your face and clothes are inevitable, so make sure the mirror is clean before taking a photo.

Don't think about facial expressions

It's awkward to smile at yourself in the mirror - no best idea for this type of photo (and people passing by won’t look at you strangely). Sometimes the most The best way take the perfect selfie - forget about your facial expression, grin slightly and look at the phone camera, and not at the reflection in the mirror. In this case .

Use application tools

Photos in the bathroom or dimly lit bedroom don't always turn out well, but there is a trick that will make your photo look less amateurish. So add more light. It's not about completely editing a photo, but Instagram and other apps have a set of tools that can help make a photo brighter and lighter. Experiment with shades until your photo is perfect.

Translation from English.

Selfie is a popular hobby, whose fans include not only ordinary people, but a lot of celebrities. Today, at the peak of its popularity, self-portrait photography is turning into a special art, so many people strive to learn how to take a proper selfie.

How to take selfies correctly and beautifully?

The main rule of selfies is that the camera for taking pictures must be with the main character in the frame. The first selfies were taken with phone cameras using an outstretched arm or in front of a mirror. But the more people became interested in self-portrait photos, the more tricks appeared to help them get a successful selfie.

Currently, selfies have a classification, here are some of the popular varieties:

  • selfie - selfie with your loved one;
  • grufi – with friends;
  • bifi - selfie in a swimsuit;
  • belfie - a photo taken from the back;
  • elevator look – photo in the elevator mirror;
  • hot dog selfie – photo of tanned legs.

How to take a selfie correctly to get a beautiful and successful photo:

  1. One of the most important conditions- a good camera. To prevent your photos from falling into the low-quality category, you need to choose a gadget with an excellent camera or use a SLR camera.
  2. For a good photo you need the right light. It is best to take pictures in natural light, but not in the sun. In a room with insufficient lighting, it is advisable to turn on the overhead light, otherwise the flash will illuminate your face too much.
  3. It is necessary to pay attention to the background and details that fall into the frame. the space is filled with photographs that capture things that are not intended for prying eyes. There is no need to add to this collection.
  4. If possible, you need to use technical devices - a selfie stick, a timer. It is advisable to set the camera to continuous shooting, then it will be easier to choose the most successful one from the many frames.

How to use a selfie stick correctly?

A selfie stick or monopod is a type of tripod that allows you to move the phone a certain distance when taking photographs, which makes the person’s face less distorted and makes it possible to capture a larger panorama.

Step-by-step rules for using a monopod:

  1. Charge the monopod and insert the battery into the remote control.
  2. Turn on the Bluetooth function on your smartphone, “find” the monopod and connect to it.
  3. In your phone settings, enable the function of taking photos using a remote control that has a shutter button.
  4. Turn on your camera and take your photo.

Some monopod models do not include a remote control; in this case, control is done using the buttons on the handle. If the selfie stick does not work with a smartphone, you should install special software that is included with the monopod.

Correct poses for selfies

Correct poses are also important for a successful selfie. To always show yourself in the most favorable light, it is advisable to find your best angle in advance. To do this, you need to take many pictures from a variety of points and choose the most successful ones. It is not recommended to photograph yourself from below, because... This angle increases the double chin and makes the face less attractive. The most flattering angle is considered to be when the camera is above eye level.

Today, there is probably not a single person left who does not have his own selfie in his archive. After all, this version of a self-portrait is becoming more and more popular every day.

Who doesn’t know yet: a selfie (English “selfie” from “self”) - oneself, oneself or “oneself”, as they call it in our manner) is a picture in which a person captures himself using a frontal ( rear camera) tablet or smartphone.

  • Trick 1: Posture

You may notice that some people turn out very well in any photograph. As a rule, those who manage to choose for themselves are so lucky perfect pose and worked it out carefully. It’s worth looking for one for yourself, after practicing a little in front of the mirror. You can take several pictures at once in different poses, carefully studying each of them and noting errors. As a result, the same the best option will reveal itself.


  • Trick 2: head tilt

Is it possible and how to take a beautiful selfie by tilting your head? Girls often ask about this. Yes, and how! The correct tilt of the head will help emphasize the beauty and elegance of the face. Just tilt your head slightly to the side and your face will instantly change. In this position, the cheekbones become clearer, the contours become graceful, and the eyes become large and expressive. This simple but effective trick is usually offered to their models by famous professional photographers. The main thing is not to overdo it with the tilt, otherwise the image will turn out somewhat comical.


  • Trick 3: Raise the device above your head

This way you can capture your surroundings. To make the photo original and unusual, you should take off not only your face, but also some of your clothes and surroundings. This is especially true for pictures taken outdoors. For example, take a selfie against the backdrop of a colorful landscape or a unique cultural monument. A self-portrait interspersed with the living world is perceived much more welcomingly than single faces. Thanks to the expanded borders, the photo turns out to be more saturated with details. It is important to make sure that there are no unnecessary objects, people or animals in the background of the photo.


  • Trick 4: take care of high-quality lighting in advance

The right light is the key to any good photo, including selfies. With high-quality lighting, the picture turns out brighter and more beautiful. In such a photo, the hair always looks healthy and shiny, and the skin is well-groomed and smooth. Since most users do not have the opportunity to set up professional artificial light, it is worth looking for a quality replacement. First of all, it is the bright afternoon sun. If you take a selfie at home, you should go to the window and face it. The device at this moment, on the contrary, will be turned away from the light source. But you should not use the flash during the day. Otherwise, the face will turn out to be too pale and white, or completely overexposed.


  • Trick 5: Selfie-Perfect Makeup

It is important for representatives of the fair sex to remember that the usual makeup in the photo may look duller and faded. Therefore, before taking a photo, it is worth emphasizing your main advantages with the help of cosmetics. For example, create a spectacular “smoky eyes” using the power of eye shadow of different shades, and also apply a high-quality highlighter to give the face freshness and radiance. In a selfie, such makeup will not look too flashy and unnatural, but, on the contrary, will emphasize the attractiveness of the face and make it a little brighter. Still, stick to maximum naturalness and naturalness.


  • Trick 6: beautiful photo = filters + suitable applications

Today, users are offered a huge number of programs that will help make selfies spectacular. If they are not installed on your smartphone or tablet, then such add-ons can be easily downloaded. The programs and filters discussed will allow you to hide numerous imperfections in your appearance - whiten your teeth, remove skin imperfections, and more. The main thing is not to overdo it with improving your photos. Let naturalness be their main decoration.