Taking photos of yourself...

[Stephanie43]

I find that after going through the photos I’ve taken of myself, sexy and pretty Stephanie never really gets captured in my photos. At least not all the photos. I think I’m much prettier in black and white or some form of a mono tone. Lol.

We’ve all been there I’m sure. You get in your sexiest, prettiest pose, look in the mirror, like what you see and snap the picture. You then realize the picture you just took went through your phone or camera’s ugly filter before getting to your viewing screen.

[Kas]

Tell me about it. Had that exact problem last night. I guess there is always another day...

[docrobbysherry]

Nope. I take better pix of me with a timer than anyone else. And, it's rare when the reflection in my mirror is prettier than my pix!:daydreaming:

Even tho I'm nearsited and don't wear glasses when I dress!:heehee:

[Judy-Somthing]

I've taken quite a few photos over the last forty years and have tried all kinds of lighting and found sun light works the best especially now at 60!

[Tracii G]

Natural light I find works best for me.
Even better if its a bit overcast.

[Rica]

This is a fun subject. I'm a semi-pro photographer and I can say for sure that there are some very pretty people on this place. I say to myself if I could get some of these people in my studio, the photos would be really nice. If you have a studio around your place, you should do a photo shoot. It's so fun. A lot of work though. One of the ones I did had over 2000 shots. Hours and hours. I was pooped. The models were angels though. They do work hard. Anywho, I hope to see good photography from every person. You will be happy I can assert such.

Rica

[lingerieLiz]

Relax about how you look. You will find that most all people don't like their pictures. I've known several beautiful models. They didn't like looking at their pictures. Try doing a side by side inverted (mirrored) image. You will like the picture better. Your used to seeing yourself in the mirror. When you look at a picture you see what others see and it looks strange.

[IleneD]

The subject of self-photography fascinates me. I've taken (literally) hundreds of photographs of myself [dressed up en femme] over the last 15 months or so since I began to seriously and fully dress. I don't know why.

The mere fact I've taken hundreds of photos of myself is mind boggling. I never did selfies before finding my inner CD. I don't have very many photographs of myself over my life and career; and I've done some pretty unusual and exciting things. But since I started dressing up in women's clothing, I have developed a habit of taking dozens and dozens of photographs of myself when I have time and space to dress.

I set up the tripod with the SLR camera. Set the timer. Stage a few photos of myself dressed in something pretty. Change outfits. Re-shoot.
It is so strange of a habit. It smacks of narcissism, which I never thought I had much of. It screams, "Look at me!". I don't recall behaving like that in my past. Yet I'm compelled to shoot photographs of myself as though the camera has a magic eye that sees deep within me. It sees the real inner me. Maybe it's to capture an image of myself I find quite remarkable, and can't believe it.

Why do we take photographs of ourselves?

[Rica]

The subject of self-photography fascinates me. I've taken (literally) hundreds of photographs of myself [dressed up en femme] over the last 15 months or so since I began to seriously and fully dress. I don't know why.

The mere fact I've taken hundreds of photos of myself is mind boggling. I never did selfies before finding my inner CD. I don't have very many photographs of myself over my life and career; and I've done some pretty unusual and exciting things. But since I started dressing up in women's clothing, I have developed a habit of taking dozens and dozens of photographs of myself when I have time and space to dress.

I set up the tripod with the SLR camera. Set the timer. Stage a few photos of myself dressed in something pretty. Change outfits. Re-shoot.
It is so strange of a habit. It smacks of narcissism, which I never thought I had much of. It screams, "Look at me!". I don't recall behaving like that in my past. Yet I'm compelled to shoot photographs of myself as though the camera has a magic eye that sees deep within me. It sees the real inner me. Maybe it's to capture an image of myself I find quite remarkable, and can't believe it.

Why do we take photographs of ourselves?

It's like you are taking a picture of a different person. Maybe a more interesting and fascinating person?

[AllyCDTV]

When I do a photo shoot, it usually results in hundreds of pics, where at least 90% get deleted. Good thing it's all digital and the days of film are long gone. You just have to practice and try new things. You never know when a tilt of the head, a different kind of smile or a change in camera angle will make the difference.

[Tracii G]

The best pics seem to happen out of the blue when you really aren't trying.
Just relax and have fun with it.

[Teresa]

Stephanie,
As Ilene says dump the phone and get a decent camera on a tripod. I was a professional photographer for 30 years so I do know a few things about the right gear . Most compacts and phones take wide angle shots , that is the most unflattering way to take pictures , I always used long lenses for portraits and if possible weddings . A close up should be taken at eye level to reduce the size of nose and chin , a full length should be taken at waist level to give a balanced look to the body . That works for most people I had to know how to flatter them to stay in business .
I usually stand a full length mirror next to my camera , if it looks OK in the mirror the camera should capture it .

I my business I had to work on a very low percentage of reject shots, when using medium format film cameras every shot had to count, I didn't have time to keep reshooting when I had two or three weddings to cover in one day .

[Abbey11]

I use both DSLR and phone and also tried videoing myself and then take screenshots from the video, can get some nice dynamic pics

[Stephanie43]

Abbey11,

I love the video, then take screen shots idea!!

[donnalee]

The pictures in one's mind's eye are always the best.

[Keely]

I use a DSLR on a tripod. I have a remote release.
That setup seems to give me the best results although I have a few phone selfies that aren't too bad.
I agree, outside natural light seems to give the best picture.

[GretchenM]

Lighting is really important which is one of the reasons natural light is more flattering than flash. Cloudy bright is the best as it produces nice soft shadows. Cloudy bright is where the clouds are thin and some sunshine gets through to produce soft shadows under trees and the like. But if you don't have enough natural light set it up with two lights, one being the brighter main light coming from the side and a second from another direction that is dimmer (or further away) that fills in the shadows produced by the brighter light. With digital you can use bright household lights (not fluorescent) and correct the white balance in the computer to remove any color cast. Direct flash is what we mostly use, but one of the problems is that it is so stark. If you are using a DSLR, also try using a very mild softening filter. Of course, that alters the reality of wrinkles and stuff like that, but if you are trying to portray a softer and sometimes more sensuous feeling a little softness really helps.

[Krisi]

I used to do a lot of photography (amateur) so I know a bit about it but it's hard for me to pose naturally for a photo and especially waiting for the self timer. A remote would probably work better and I had one on an older camera. Teresa's point on using a long lens (zoom out) is valid but it can be difficult when taking photos of yourself, especially inside most homes.

Every once in a while I manage to get a good photo where I have a good look on my face and am almost "pretty". The rest are just training photos.

[Stiletto Gurl]

I find the timer on my cell camera very helpful... other than that, selfies I always look horrible in... I cant seem to get the picture taking down correctly either...

[Ressie]

Getting good at posing in a fem way is part of the equation. I'm getting better at it but still have a long way to go. It also helps if I can see myself in a mirror as the timer takes the photo.

Screenshots of videos have also worked out good as far as getting those exact moments that look the best. So many little things can mess up a photo. Wrong facial expression, forget to suck my stomach in etc!

[Alice B]

I have taken many photographs of myself indoors using a tripod, strobe and timer. And ones using a mirror. I have also taken some outside in the sun and even underwater shots. I prefer the indoor shots and like the results because I have better control of the lighting. The outdoor shots are often too harsh because the sun will not listen to me when I yell at it to move.

[alesha]

I’m kind of a serious amateur photographer and I’ve done a few paid gigs. As everyone has said, lighting is the most important. I’ve gotten some decent selfies with my phone but my best shots come from my dslr. That’s not to say you need some fancy expensive equipment to take good shots. Just a couple of quick tips: avoid direct, overhead lighting and avoid using the flash unless absolutely necessary.

Also, look up posing techniques. That helps. Look up Peter Hurley on YouTube. He’s a famous celebrity headshot photographer and there might be clips of him explaining how to pose for headshots - how to move your neck/head to minimize double chins, turn certain ways to minimize prominent noses, etc.

[Beverley Sims]

I can take or pose for quite attractive stills.....

Meet Miss Ugly when I an shot with a movie camera of any sort.

Yes if it walks like a duck.........

Well you get the idea.

Videos are a great way of brushing up on your deportment.

Over the years I have improved a lot.

I do not appear to have a walking impediment any more.

The speech impediment can still be rough though. :-)

[Tahoegurl]

I think that the picture part for me is like a review of my work...are the makeup right, clothes right...shoes etc. And a part is like at me , and a part is that picture of a different person. I do appreciate the critique from others to maybe fine tune some things. I really try to avoid getting to cerebral about all this. I love to dress, l like how I look when dressed, and it is just who I am...so I take pictures in boy mode and I take pictures in girl mode.

[Sandra_Dodds]

Why do we take photographs of ourselves?

For me it provides an opportunity to look back and admire my outfits when there is no opportunity to dress. I can log into my Flickr account and see myself dressed, feeling feminine.

As others have said, it's all about the lighting, having a good camera and being able to use a remote control. I don't do selfies when dressed because of the risk of accidentally leaving images on my phone and them being found.

[BrendaPDX]

I am an amateur at best, but I like diffuse sunlight or dappled shade, or lighting from a northern window, and use the flash as a last resort. I don't or try not to force a smile, only looks weird. I have a compact digital camera (Fuji XP) that has an interval timer so I don't have to keep running back to the camera, it also works with my phone for remote shutter release. Oh, it's waterproof, so no worries about rain. I take lots of pictures knowing I am going to dump most of them. I store the photos on a secure thumb drive that is password protected. Good luck, have fun and share some of your pictures. Brenda

[Bailee]

I've heard a lot of people say they look terrible in pictures, but they've only ever seen themselves in bad pictures. I have a theory that anyone can look good in a photo, if it's well set up. My favorite lighting set up is when the main light source is natural through a window, with diffused strobe lighting dialed back, off the camera to fill in shadows (but not overpower the main natural source). Play with the lighting set up a little. Shadows are interesting and add depth and richness, flat lighting is boring and unflattering. Using the strobe on the camera as the main light source is not what it's designed for, and always looks washed out and horrible. Try a wide lens aperture to blur and soften the background, and provide separation. Put some thought into the background, not too cluttered or distracting, but not a blank wall either.
You might get a good picture by accident, but a great picture takes a little planning. Good luck and have fun!

[sometimes_miss]

I've taken quite a few photos over the last forty years and have tried all kinds of lighting and found sun light works the best especially now at 60!
For me, moonlight works best; the new moon, in particular. Yesiree, the darker it is, the better I might look.

The old phrase that the camera adds ten pounds seems to always hold up...except in my case, where it adds 60 pounds.

[Shawn Michelle]

I just got bold enough to take pictures of myself last week. I was an amature photographer many moons ago, but now the best camera I have is a 10-year-old Sony digital. I only took about eight decent pics using the timer. I can tell I need lots of work and practice on my makeup (and my body - got a gut I'm working on, sorta). The two biggest dislikes for me are my smile (I don't have one) and the bags under my eyes. The pics only seem to make them worse. As time permits, I'll get more pics taken in different outfits.

[Beverley Sims]

One day you will be able to get someone else to take photos of yourself and all you need to do then is strike poses.

This way you can get some nice photos and lots of revealing ones to brush up your deportment and style.

[Kayliedaskope]

Getting a camera with a remote shutter helps, too. Then you can take as long as you need or want to pose, click the button, and snap the picture. Otherwise, running from behind the camera and posing nicely in those five to ten seconds can be challenging.

[Jessica Heart]

I agree with you completely! I think I look sooo sexy, I love trying on wigs and shoes, but once i take 15 pictures and then look... oh I feel ugly again. I havent ever tried makeup yet, so that's my next step. :) (although i did put on lipstick a few times and loved just doing that)

[Jaymees22]

I have taken many pictures of myself over the past 5 years. I use a digital camera and a tripod with the timer it takes 3 shots at a time, then I either delete them immediately or put the SD card in the computer and sort them out. Once they are on the computer I crop and adjust things so even I look okay. If you really need to improve things there are free apps to make you look even better.

[JaneinFL]

Capturing from video is the best! So many possibilities.

[Isabella Ross]

This is an interesting thread because it poses the question, "Why do we takes photos of ourselves?" Part of my profession requires some photography proficiency, and I've been a photographer going back to medium format cameras. Ten years ago, when I first fully accepted myself, I was eager to see if I could take some photos of myself. I've always been crazy about the pinup girls in the 50s and 60s, and I've purchased so much lingerie and clothing from that era so that I could try emulate some of those great photos. Of course, the subjects in those photos were beautiful GGs, and I am clearly not...but every once in a while, I get a half decent result. I post my photos here on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pinknfrilly/

Like others on this thread, I sometimes wonder what my motivation is is. When I'm a boy, I avoid being in photos like they're plague. But in gurl mode, I love it. Some of it is probably narcissism...I'll concede that. But some of it is more than that. Somehow, it's a way to validate who I am...and be better. It lets me see what works and what doesn't when I'm doing my best to be a good girl. And posting on a public place like flickr, where there is a good TG community, allows you to get feedback from others...and learn from others.

As for tips, this is the best I can do if you are interested in something better than a snapshot:

-Don't expect good results from a smartphone. Use a DSLR, tripod and remote.
-Learn some basic photography composition like the rule of thirds...easy to do on the internet
-Shoot with the longest lens you can.
-Lighting is everything. Without some kind of backlight, for instance, images just look flat. Cheap lighting kits can be found for next to nothing.
-Choose your setting carefully. And declutter a setting...nobody wants to see your laundry on the floor, etc.
-Take at least 25 photos for every one that might end up worthwhile.
-Shoot outside in the morning or early evening for best results.

[Kayliedaskope]

Most people, I've discovered, will go to take a photo and then just stop and wait, waiting for that perfect pose or the "perfect moment." Me, I'm like, hold my finger down on the shutter button and rapid-fire through about forty pictures. I figure that with all those pictures, one or two are going to look great.

[Teri Ray]

Oh my, I thought I was the only 99%er in this group. I too find 99% of all the pictures I take of myself when dressed are not good. The other four percent are just OK. Did I also mention that my photography skills are as good as my math? Like Ilene mentioned, I don't know why I take these pictures. Maybe because of all the effort we put into the transformation, pictures are the only way to get a record of the accomplishment. I also agree with others who have mentioned how important lighting is when making photos. It is my experience that taking pictures in the dark has proven to give consistent but unsatisfactory results.

[Shely]

Taking pictures is one of my passions too. I have posted most of them in a private flikr account and go there once in a while to see myself in full regalia. I don't know why, it sounds strange even to me, but i do it. I guess it gives me something positive to do while all dressed up. I have gone out a couple of times, but only to the park for some outdoor picture taking.

[Krisi]

Isabella (post #34) makes some good points. I cringe when I see someone post a "photo" that they took with a phone while looking in the mirror. There are books (remember those) on how to take good photographs. Buy one and read it.

Most of us have difficulty following her suggestions when shooting photos in our homes. A long lens (zoom out) is hard to do in our homes unless we have big homes with big rooms or an open floor plan. "Declutter" is also difficult because we usually have furniture, pictures on the wall, etc.

Outdoors is great, but only if you actually go outdoors and have a place to go. Shooting photos of yourself attracts attention so you pretty much have to look for a deserted area. At least with digital photography, you can take dozens of photos at no cost and delete any that don't flatter you.

[msniki48]

Stephanie,

The older i get, the more pictures it takes to find the girl in me...lol CLick away...there is always a pretty one to share.

hugs niki

[Jin]

I like to set the camera on Interval Shoot, pose for a few, then just walk around doing some activity and ignore the camera. The most fun is to have a helper!

[Krisi]

I would like for my wife to take photos of me because it's pretty difficult to get good ones if you're doing it all yourself.

The problem is, she does not like to take photos (she's really bad at it, can't even hold the camera straight and knows nothing about composition or backgrounds). She is getting better about taking photos since she got a smart phone but they aren't any better.

[NancySue]

I always take pictures, especially when I have something new or a new ensemble. I use my iPad, reverse the camera and set the 10 second timer. I too, delete 99% of them. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words. I watch how women pose. I didn’t realize how difficult it was, but fun.

[leannejacobs]

Your stance or pose in a picture makes all the difference, I recently viewed a post elsewhere detailing do's and dont's, it's amazing the difference in my pics I've taken since, sooo much better.