8 tips for taking the perfect selfie

Taking photographs stopped being something exclusive to photographers a long time ago. With the emergence and popularization of the digital camera, this scenario changed completely and after the appearance of cell phones with cameras, the easy access to photography became even more accentuated.

Allied to the ease of taking and viewing images instantly, the Internet intensified the culture of photography. Social networks like Instagram and Pinterest value even more an image that knows how to represent more than a thousand words. Today, many fashion and beauty icons appear first on social networks and only later on the covers of magazines.

Fitness muses like Carol Buffara, Gabriela Pugliesi and Bella Falconi are just a few examples of women who end up using Instagram to promote a lifestyle and who are very successful. There are also specialists in the field of fashion and beauty, such as Thassia Naves, Camila Coutinho and Camila Coelho. If you want to do like them and do well in selfies, see the tips below.

1. Lighting is everything!

You can use the best camera in the world, but if the lighting isn’t great, it’s no use. Photography is not going to be good, after all, image and light have everything to do with it. “Photography = photo (light) + graphy (writing). In other words, writing with light”, said photographer Luciana Cristhovam.

Whenever you can, opt for natural light, which is always more advantageous. But if you’re indoors, look for the brightest spot possible before taking your selfie.

2. Know how to take advantage of what you have around you

Couldn’t make it to the beach or the city park on the weekend to take those amazing photos? No problem, if you are a photography lover, know that you can use what is around you to compose the image.

Luciana says that the objects and elements of the surroundings can not only compose the scenery, but also help in the quality of the image. “Light-colored or nearly transparent curtains are good light diffusers and give great results.” She explains that light-colored furniture, such as sideboards, also work as lighting aids.

3. Choose the background well

A weekend in the countryside or on the beach next to the one you love deserves to be registered. Enjoy the landscape and take some pictures of yourself, after all, the beauty of nature helps to create a scenario that can enhance your photo and generate many likes.

The photographer explained that the beach is also a great place for selfies, as it provides an amazing view and good light. She gives the tip: “On the beach, take pictures with your back to the sea so you can show the beautiful blue it has”.

4. Caprice in the pose

It doesn’t matter the day, time or place, the important thing is to be happy and look natural, the result will be a beautiful photo that will catch the attention of your followers. If what you want is to show some special attribute, like a flat stomach or a new haircut, bet precisely on images that are able to show what you want. That way, everyone will notice and you even get some extra praise!

If you are finding yourself overweight and you don’t want to show it, there is a way out. Luciana revealed that to appear thinner you don’t need to do hundreds of sit-ups, just a simple movement. “There’s a neat trick for that: position the camera above your face and you’ll appear not only with a face, but with a thinner nose as well.”

Lifting your chin a little and tilting your face slightly are also tips that can make a difference in the selfie.

5. Pay attention to the make

Makeup may already be part of your everyday life, but will people see exactly what you see? Be careful not to overdo the blush, use foundation and concealer shades different from your skin tone, and don’t forget to clean up any smudges. No matter how small the mistake when putting on makeup, when posting the image on the Internet, several people (especially the closest ones) will see you.

Many celebrities have already made this mistake, so since you have the power to choose the image you will post, preview the photo before posting. That way you select the best one and no one knows about the make error.

6. Watch out for the flash

Selfies can be taken any way or any place. But photos taken in front of the mirror have already become classics. If you’re going to take a picture like this, don’t forget to take your camera’s flash off. After all, no one wants that light bursting in the image, right?

7. Invest in a cell phone with a good camera

If you love taking pictures and want them to come out perfect, it may be time to invest in a phone with a good camera. A phone with an 8 megapixel camera usually generates great images, but for those looking for an even better resolution, the market already has options with 13, 20 and even 41 MP. Just decide which one best fits your style and your pocketbook.

8. Use and abuse of photography apps

In addition to social networks that already offer filters, such as Instagram itself, it is easy to find photography apps for both Android and iOS.

Aviary and Afterlight

Aviary is one of those magical apps where you can edit the photo, cropping, applying filters, frames, changing the brightness, saturation, focus, even creating memes. It’s free and available on both platforms.

Afterlight follows the same multifunctional style as Aviary and is well known for its easy-to-use interface and application quality. The downside is that it is only available in the Apple store.

Bokehful and Instabokeh

Want to give your photo a different effect? Apps with bokeh effect are very useful. They act as if a professional camera had been used to distort and blur certain points in the image. This type of effect can be applied by Bokehful, on the AppleStore, or by Instabokeh, on the PlayStore.

Over and Phonto

Both are applications that have the function of inserting text in photographs. With a large number of typography, color options, positioning change and various options, apps can give your selfie a new purpose. Over can be found on Apple’s platform and Phonto on Google’s.

Celebrity selfies

Check out some portraits taken by the famous and published through their official Instagram accounts and get inspired to take their selfies.