How To Take A Self-Portrait (with A Digital Camera)

A Practical Guide (Page 3 of 3)

3. Buying Time with a vanity mirror or a cable release (optional)

In the next page, we will discuss cameras for self-portraits. Once there used to be digital cameras with LCD screens that can flip 180 degrees around to face the subject. That way, you can see what the camera sees while standing in front of the lens. That design, unfortunately, has gone away. So now you have to deal with walking all the way around your setup (tripod, camera, mirror) to preview the results of your photos before you decide on accpeting or canceling each picture.

Don't underestimate the cost of walking around to look at the LCD screen. Here is the reason: Modern digital cameras only have a 10-second self-timer. You need to activate the self-timer, dash in front of the camera, move your dummy out of the frame, adjust and compose yourself, and pose all under ten seconds. Now there are a few digital cameras on the market that have longer delays on their self-timers, but 10 seconds is currently the de facto. So what should you do?

One of the things I do whenever I take self-portraits is to get as far in front of the camera before I activate the self-timer with an outstretched hand. You want as much time as you can get to compose yourself for the correct shot. But now there's a new problem: How do you check the controls on the LCD screen if you are in front of the camera?

I use a small handheld vanity mirror so I can stand in front and look at the LCD readout from the reflection. This also helps in negotiating around tight spaces.

Another additional step to buy time is to use a long cable release. Depending on how far you chose to stand from the camera, if you get on long enough, you may even be able to stand or sit in your intended spot when the picture is taken. In this case, you can then get comfortable, pose, and activate the self-timer while having adequate time to toss the cable release out of view.

A wireless remote control - if there is one available for your camera model - is even better. However, throwing a wireless remote control out of the way may prove to be costly!

4. A Word on Adobe Photoshop and Photo Software

A very wise person once advised that the only thing worth taping on television are the commercials. Commercials are indicators of bygone times. They will evoke the clearest milestones among television viewers. A photograph freezes time. If you chose to retouch, remember to save the retouched photograph as a separate file from the original. You can lock your originals away in a bank deposit box if you feel the truth will be safer there! You may, someday, want to return to have a glance, as every photograph is a record of time past. And that, can be precious.

Well, That's it my darlings, you're done! Ready to show the world a side of you nobody has been able to capture? Well good luck and enjoy the results!

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Click Here for A Practical Guide to Buying A Digital Camera for Self-Portraiture

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