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Question: How can i take a sharp, well-lit self-portrait (examples)!?
hey everyone !. i take self-poraits sometimes, and i seem to have the same problem!. i can't get myself in sharp focus or the light right!.

i am going for some like these!.!.!.

http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/helloromant!.!.!.

http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/helloromant!.!.!.

http://www!.flickr!.com/photos/helloromant!.!.!.


any tips are really appreciated :)Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Heya!

I used to have the exact same problem when i switched from a small digital camera to a Nikon D40 SLR!.

You really cannot hold the camera!. To get a really sharp photograph, you need to use a tri-pod!. An arm is not a tri-pod because not only do you get a unsatisfactory angle with holding it yourself but you will get a blur or shake from the natural unsteadiness of your arm!. But if you can't get hold of a tri-pod then you can always use a wardrobe or somethign with a flat surface that comes to about you're neck

I always prefer to use an artificial light source rather then natural light, mostly because natural light can be unpredictable and a little too harsh!. To get a very harsh lighting on you're face you can always use a white light or a lamp or somthing and shine it from above or wherever you want the shadow!. However if you want a soft lighting on you're face you can use a soft box or an orange/white light to give a sunshine look to you're face!.

Again, the background of the photograph is very important but also the composition and the pose you have matters!. If the camera angle comes from below you make you're self appear strong and dominating but it can be unflattering for a woman!. I think the best photographs are taken from above!. It is alot more flattering for the woman and puts the empahsis on the face rather then anything else!.

BUT HEY!. Whatever looks good ay!?

Have fun xx

Ohhh!.!. Photoshop can be a little dream if you dont get the lighting right!. I suggest getting that or having a play around on that!. If you need photoshop lessons or tips then this youtube channel is brilliant!.!.!.

http://www!.youtube!.com/user/IceflowStudi!.!.!.

but for general photography tips this website is awesome i think!.!.!.

http://www!.photographytips!.com/
Www@QuestionHome@Com

Open all the curtains and try catching natural light on a cloudy day!. That always looks crisper than just a flash in a dim room!.

also, plain backgrounds tend to enhance self-portraits!. Don't stand in front of weird things that will look like they're sprouting out of your head!.

If you're using a digital camera, pushing the shutter button halfway down will give you a locked-focus!. Center the square around your face and push the button the rest of the way down!. That way you're not focusing on what's behind you instead of on your face!. (Put a mirror behind the camera, where you'd stand if you were taking a picture of someone else!. That way you can see where you are located in the shot and you can see your focus square!.)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Rule #1 - Do NOT try to do it holding the camera in your hand! Get a tripod and learn to use the self timer!.

Rule #2 - Do not use the built in flash on your camera!. Learn something about lighting and how to use available light as much as possible!.

Rule # 3 - (well, this on isn't a rule, but Please!) do not make those stupid fish lips!. People are not supposed to look like love-starved guppies!Www@QuestionHome@Com

You need to read a few books on portrait photography!. I could explain how come your having such a hard time, but there really isn't room here and a book would be far better!.

However I can tell you that the big things are depth of field and ligtingWww@QuestionHome@Com