How to Take a Good Portrait of Yourself
Photographers take pictures of landscapes, friends, pets and inanimate objects on a regular basis, but these photos never show who's on the other side of the lens. Whether you're a professional shutterbug or the self-ordained family photographer, taking a self-portrait can sometimes be the most challenging photo assignment. Taking a good self-portrait depends on arranging the mechanics of the shot and then forcing yourself to step in front of the camera and get the shot that defines you.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Set up a tripod or use an adjustable c-clamp to clip the camera onto a stable mount. You will want to adjust the tripod height to the appropriate level, considering the angle of your self-portrait. Position the clamp or tripod low for a shot looking up at you or high for a shot looking downward.
-
2
Connect an A/V cable to the A/V jack in your camera and connect the other end to your television set, matching the color of the plugs to the outlet. The cords should be red, yellow and white. This will allow you to transfer the image your camera is seeing to your television, allowing you to direct your shoot with a live image. You may need an RF modulator video component adapter to plug the A/V jack into a coaxial jack if your television is outdated. Be aware that there may be cropping discrepancies between what the camera sees and what the television shows. A low-tech alternative is to place a large mirror behind the tripod so you can see a reflection of the viewfinder of your camera.
-
-
3
Place a dummy in the location where you will be sitting or standing for your self-portrait. This is essential to focusing the camera properly. Focus the camera on your dummy as you desire using auto-focus and then switch the camera to manual focus as you get the image you like. This will set the focus in place and make sure that your photo focuses on you instead of the wall behind you.
-
4
Use a camera remote control to take your shots or set the timer on the camera to pose in time for the shot.
-
5
Show emotion in your photos. Shout, jump, cry or growl to depict the emotion you'd like your self-portrait to reflect.
-
6
Use props that portray your hobbies, interests and passions. Pose with a pet if you love animals or splatter your face with paint if you're an artist. The key to a true self-portrait is expressing yourself in a single, perfect shot that doesn't just highlight your stunning bone structure, but also your unique inner self.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Take multiple shots until you are pleased with the final product.
Use digital computer programs to manipulate the photos to further personalize your self-portrait.
Try various angles to give the portrait an interesting point of view.
References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Photodisc/Getty Images
