How to take a Selfie

Ok, so there are a LOT of things that bloggers do in their day-to-day blogging life that make most “normal” people smirk. Or even laugh out loud.

For starters, we’re usually super-glued to our smart-phones, ears acutely attuned to distinguish a Twitter alert from a Facebook notification. That’s a skill, right?

Put us together in small or large groups and an outsider looking in would wonder how a conversation was actually taking place … because we’re all talking to each other while looking down at said phones.

Bloggers are also extremely fond of taking photos. Of other people and things but also of themselves.

This particular photo genre has been lovingly termed “The Selfie”.

Taking of Selfies is, of course, not limited to bloggers.

It was actually fashion designer Alex Perry, who three years ago, insisted that our photo together actually be a Selfie. He grabbed my camera and said, “this will be better”.

He was right. It was. The angle (from above) is way more flattering.

I’ve been utilising and implementing the Selfie ever since. And last week a Facebook reader asked me to write a post about how to take them … so here I am.

Now, as someone who is creating visual content throughout the day – and often that content is based on items I might be wearing or how I’ve done my hair or makeup – the Selfie has become very much a part of my blogging life.

Which amuses my teenage children no end.

I use one of two devices: my iPhone or my Canon G12 camera.

iPhone tips

1. Yes, it’s easier to reverse the lense on your iPhone camera so that you can see yourself as you’re taking a photo BUT the quality of the photo’s resolution is not so good this way. Practise taking the photo without seeing what you’re taking. You’ll have to “guess” where the camera button is to take the shot but after a few attempts, you’ll get the hang of it.
2. Taking a photo with your phone while looking into a mirror is a popular option. This works equally as well for close-up face shots or long outfit shots. It just depends on your mirror options. I get probably a little too excited when I come across a great well-lit, full-length mirror in a hotel as this kind of prop is lacking for me at home. I have actually put in a request that we find a decent mirror that I can move around the house to catch the light at any time of the day. This was met with much mocking from Mr Styling You. Consider your phone case as part of the photo – it will be a feature so maybe change the case from time to time. Like your handbag
3. If doing an outfit shot and wanting to feature all the outfit, use an app like PicFrame to create a montage that includes a full length shot and two close ups of accessories or details.

Who does it well?

Melbourne blogger Carly Jacobs (aka Smaggle) knows how to work her iPhone camera for selfies and has written a handy dandy post about how to be awesome at Instagram.

Whether it’s in a car or in front of her bathroom mirror, Sydney blogger Danimezza rocks an iPhone selfie.

Camera tips

1. I’ve love that the viewer on my Canon G12 can be flipped and turned so that I can see the Selfie I’m taking. Unlike the iPhone, this doesn’t affect the quality of the photo. I used this a lot when getting photos of me with other bloggers at Blogopolis recently.
2. You can still use a camera such as this if you’re looking to do a mirror Selfie too – I just take off all my strap and case attachments so it’s clutter free.
3. Practice angles – both close up and how you stand for full-length mirror shots – so that you know exactly how to get your best look quickly and easily.
4. Shoot in the best light possible. Have that early morning or late afternoon glow beaming towards your face. Or, shoot with your face facing towards a window. This applies equally for when using your phone too.

Who does it well

Western Australia-based fashion and lifestyle blogger Karen Cheng does the camera selfie SO well. Her photos are clean and well lit. And she uses just a point and shoot.

Sydney blogger Sarah from A Beach Cottage works her DSLR like nobody’s business. Yes, mostly she photographs her amazing interiors and beach vistas but she’s also the queen of a mirror selfie, especially one that shows off her beach cottage.

How about you? Are you a Selfie Master? What tips do you have for young Selfie players?

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Thanks so much to everyone who played along with my Saturday blogging linky last week. Sharing your blogging knowledge with other bloggers and potential bloggers really is how this blogging world best goes round.

Remember if you want to join in, just add your link below. Please fill in the box where it says “name”: STYLING YOU: A blog post. That way your blog gets a plug and if you include the title of your post, you’ll attract readers interested in the topic.

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