Once upon a time there was the painted self-portrait. In 2016, there is only the selfie.
The use of the word "selfie" has become so common that it's even found in dictionaries. Merriam-Webster defines a selfie as "an image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks". The most common place that selfies can be found is on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or even in text messages or emails. Here are a few tips for taking an amazing selfie that will impress all your friends and make you a social media star:
Angles, angles, angles
The first important step is to find the correct angle. This really will change from person to person depending on your face shape, although most of the time the best angle is going to be up from above. The best way that you can find out is to try it for yourself. The great thing about cell phones is that it's easy to take multiple photos and pick out your favorite.
Find your light
Using natural lighting will also improve the quality of your selfie. Artificial overhead lighting can be unflattering and create harsh lines on your face that aren't there. Stand outside or at a nearby window. Try it during different times of the day and see what works best for you. If you're not able to use natural lighting, editing the picture is a good option.
Don't be afraid to filter
Most social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat include a filter option, which can help resolve lighting issues, smooth out lines in your face, while making your picture more interesting and fun. There are also a variety of photo editor applications that can be downloaded on your phone to ensure that your selfie comes out exactly the way that you want it to.
A bonus tip!
Selfies can be a quick way to capture a moment with your family or friends when other people aren't around to take the picture for you. Taking selfies with a group of people can be much harder if you want to ensure that everyone gets their time to shine in the picture. An easy solution to this is to purchase a selfie stick, which can be found in most major retail stores. A selfie stick allows you to attach your phone to the end of a metal stick that extends farther than your arm. A button at the end of the stick will allow you to take as many pictures as you like while allowing you to fit more people and more scenery into your photo.
Whether you are alone or with a group, taking a selfie is usually the best and quickest option to show yourself off and capture all of your wonderful memories. The idea of taking the perfect selfie can seem intimidating, but if you use these tips you can't go wrong. And never forget the most important rule when taking a selfie – have fun!