How to Take a Selfie
Follow these basic steps to take your first selfie on an iPhone. Later, we will cover the powerful in-camera settings and a few common-sense tips to improve your self-portrait skills.
How to Use the iPhone Camera Settings for Better Selfies
The default iPhone Camera app might seem barebones at first. But it hides many features you can use to optimize your selfie. So, here are the best ones you can combine to take perfect selfies:
Use the six Portrait lighting modes for more inspiring selfies.Adjust the Depth-of-Field (the focal length slider) to blur the background and focus on your face.Take advantage of the 3 or 10-second timer delay to pose and take an automatic selfie.
Move the Exposure slider manually (in both Photo and Portrait mode) to adjust the amount of light on the face.Choose the Square photo (in Photo mode) for selfies you want to upload to social media.Activate the Flash (in both Photo and Portrait mode) to highlight your face for low-light selfies.
How to Take a Good Selfie
You can remind yourself about the basic rules of selfies with an acronym like LCP (Lighting, Composition. and Posing). Tips to take good selfies can fill a few books, but here are the essentials to follow.
Clean the iPhone Camera Lens
Dirt and stains on the camera lens glass can stop all the light from coming through or create dust specks in your selfies. Use a lint-free soft cloth to clean the glass before you take a photo.
Choose the Right Background
The ideal background will keep the focus on your face by cutting away distractions. Choose a location that isn’t cluttered and a background color that complements the dress you are wearing for the selfie.
Shoot in Natural Light
The ideal natural light for selfies is soft and diffused. For flattering results, take photos during the golden hours in the morning and evening, so the light is softer. You can also stand near a window to diffuse harsh light and allow it to bounce from the surrounding walls.
Face the Source of Light
Always face the source of light, as harsh light behind the face can create unwanted shadows. For best results, the light source should be near eye level to expose all angles of your face and avoid shadow circles under your eyes or chin.
Use the Grid for Better Compositions
Select Settings > Camera > Composition > Grid to enable the Rule of Thirds Grid on the iPhone camera. You can better position your face by placing the important features in your selfie at the intersection of the four lines to draw the viewer’s attention.
Experiment With the Back Camera
The right focal length can make a huge difference to your selfie. Also, some iPhone Pro models have more powerful rear cameras. Though it’s difficult to focus yourself within a frame with the rear camera, you can use the timer to experiment with still selfies or action poses.
Use Earphones or Earbuds to Reduce Camera Shake
Tapping the screen for the Shutter or using the side button can introduce camera shake. Instead, place the iPhone on a level surface in selfie mode and press either the plus or minus volume button on the earphones for a snap.
