How to take an amazing selfie every time

When it comes to learning how to take a selfie, less is not necessarily more. “Most people don’t realise that getting pictures you love is a numbers game,” explains Buzan. The more selfies you take, the more options you will have when it comes time to select what to share and post. After all, the slightest difference can make the biggest difference.

How many shots should you aim for? Casco typically takes at least five selfies, if not more. “Most successful influencers I know take at least 20 versions of one selfie to make sure they can edit later,” he says.

Believe it or not, your phone’s camera distorts the way your face looks. Several TikTokkers, including Barnes, have discovered that when you take a selfie with your phone’s front-facing camera, the lens makes your eyes look farther apart and your nose look larger.

You can fix this, Buzan says, by holding your phone as far away from your face as possible – at least arm’s length – and zooming in. Mobile phone accessories like selfie sticks can help you hold the camera even farther away from your face and find a more flattering angle. Keep in mind that you can always crop the photo if it’s too far away.

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Another way to avoid distortion is to make sure your face is in the centre of your camera’s frame while snapping selfies. According to Barnes, a centred, head-on shot is the most universally flattering angle for any face shape. Placing your face too high on the screen will make your jawline appear softer and show the insides of your nostrils, while placing your face too low will make your forehead and nose appear larger, Buzan says.

If you have any breakouts, applying a concealer that matches your skin tone is essential before taking selfies, says Casco. Makeup artists recommend opting for one that’s about a half-shade lighter than your skin tone to hide blemishes. Concealer that is too light can create an uneven, polka-dotted effect on your skin, while concealer that is too dark can make the spots appear darker.

That said, try to avoid makeup products that could make your skin look shiny or cakey in photos. Glittery creams and powders “tend to reflect light off of the skin when the photograph is taken and can look unnatural,” while heavy or powdered foundations “can make the skin look dull,” Dr Collins says.

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Digitally touching up your appearance with FaceTune or other apps is fine in small doses, but beware of going overboard. “I always recommend doing the very minimum, as it’s easy for someone to get used to seeing themselves looking too flawless,” Casco says.

He advises staying away from apps that add makeup, enlarge your eyes or make your skin look perfectly smooth. Instead, opt for tiny adjustments like whitening your eyes or teeth. “By rule, if I’m ever using an app to clean up a selfie, I would do about three per cent on a scale of 100,” Casco says.

When teaching her students how to take a selfie, Buzan encourages them to focus on the position of their heads as much as the position of their phones. For example, rather than facing the camera lens straight on, try slightly pushing your forehead toward the camera and lengthening your neck away from your shoulders like a turtle. Doing so can sharpen your jawline, minimise a double chin and make your shoulders and head look more proportional in selfies. You can also tilt your head to the side at a 45-degree angle and place your hand under your chin to tighten your jawline and avoid the appearance of a double chin, according to Buzan.

Just make sure to keep these movements small and subtle. Poses that feel awkward and uncomfortable will make you look strained rather than natural and relaxed in photos.

The next time you snap a selfie or two, try experimenting a little. You might be surprised by the results! “Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try a new camera angle or facial expression,” Buzan says. “You might find something you really like.” To get a range of options, adjust your facial expression, the position of your head and shoulders and the angle of your phone in between shots.

There are pros and cons to using the front-facing, or ‘selfie mode,’ camera on your iPhone. Although the front camera allows you to see yourself and your position, the back camera snaps higher-quality images, according to Barnes. Using the back camera can also make you feel more natural because you can’t see yourself. Plus, since it’s easier to see the back camera lens than the front, you’re guaranteed to focus your gaze in the correct spot.

The solution? Use the front camera to gauge your pose, angle and lighting, then flip the camera and turn your phone around so that the back camera lens is facing you. To snap the photo, press the ‘volume up’ button or place your phone on a tripod and use a wireless remote. You can also turn on your phone’s self-timer feature for hands-free snapping.

Sure, finding the perfect angle and facial expression can make or break your selfie. But don’t forget the crucial contribution that your shoulders can make. Buzan suggests tilting your shoulders at a slight angle and moving them up, down, front and back in between snaps. “This will add a sense of movement to your selfies and make them look more relaxed,” she says.

Barnes agrees: “Shoulders turned at a three-quarter angle always feels great for me,” she says. Moving your shoulders will also change how you face the camera with your body, so you can take photos from several different angles for multiple options. From earrings to scarves, the right accessories can also be incredibly flattering – and even help you look younger in photos.

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Above all, “don’t overthink it,” Barnes says. She suggests recalling a funny joke or fond memory and then snapping a selfie. The results will reflect the real you: relaxed, happy and confident.

“It may sound cheesy, but Mama was right: the most beautiful glow truly starts from within,” Dr Collins says. “Letting your authentic light shine is absolutely more eye-catching and more gorgeous than any filter.”

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Source: RD.com