Article stats: Views: 512 Votes: 2 Average: 5.00 Added: 2007-05-28 | |
  |   |
Everybody who has a camera, even a tiny cell phone camera can do a self-portrait. Just hold it out far enough, if it has a lens that will focus close enough, and snap. The results may be soft and fuzzy because it really couldn't focus that close. Or it could be blurry because it didn't have enough light to overcome the natural body shake we all have.
The picture could be dim and the lighting, such as it is, could give everything a warm amber glow or a ghoulish green tone. All this and more can be seen on amateur model profiles throughout the Jurgita website.
Really, kids, is this the best you can do?
It is possible to do better, even with the most basic of camera equipment and a couple of simple steps in a photo-editing program, which we'll address in a later article.
The first thing to do is to run through the menu of your camera. I'm assuming that none of you will be using film. There will probably be a setting for picture quality and size. Select the largest size and the best quality.
You won't be able to take a jillion images while you are on this setting, but we want quality rather than quantity.
Next, find the flash controls and run through the options available for flash. If you are going to be shooting yourself in a mirror or by a very light wall, you will need to turn the flash off. But going through these controls will help you to understand your camera better. Check also if your menu allows for ISO changes or exposure controls. Review our other photography articles on the use of these controls.
The lovely thing about digital photography is that you can instantly review what you shoot and use that information to correct for the next shot. I suggest that you not delete your bad shots until you are satisfied with the results of your work. This allows you to review what you've done in the order in which you did it, so you can eliminate repeating your mistakes. You might also find it is easier to see the problems and catch one of those lucky accidental good images amid the dross if you download the whole series of shots to a computer and review the images on the big screen.
Go ahead, take a few shots of something, even yourself in a mirror, while trying the different flash settings and quality sizes.
You may have found how difficult it is to get something good in a mirror while holding the camera. If my own self-portrait doesn't convince you, there may be no hope.
Better to find a way to stabilize your camera using a tripod or something like a chair, stool, table, stack of books to get your camera to a level just above where your eyes will be when you get ready to do your shot.
Find a plain, but not stark white background or simple leafy green shrubbery. Put something to represent yourself about a meter in front of the background. It can be a step ladder, a long broom, a lamp, ...
Comment article