Selfie Help Desperately Needed

[Westcoasty]

Hey there, BIC members! Yesterday I put up my first ever post in What Are You Wearing Today Pt2, and my first couple of dozen selfies were dreadful. I tried multiple locations, multiple forms of lighting, and multiple angles, but my face always looked lopsided and it seemed like one eye was much bigger than the other, and the tiny folds from my mouth down to my chin became enormous. I looked like I was both deformed and on the brink of tears in nearly every shot. I finally got one I could live with, but nearly every aspect of my makeup disappeared into a beige wash.

Some of that is learning more about makeup for selfies, I suspect (and maybe different skincare?). My usual fairly natural look doesn't stand out well, it seems. But I must be doing something really wrong if every small flaw on my face turned into something out of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Please give me your best tips for taking selfies. I want to keep doing this, but not if I'm going to feel terrible after about the "truth" of what my cellphone camera is showing me. Thank you for any help you can provide!

[Westcoasty]

@JoSometimes   I don't know, I think if you could see my face IRL you'd understand why I'm not thrilled by what I posted! But thank you - you're very sweet. I'll get there; I'm just the kind of person that likes to be armed with information in advance. 😊

[JoSometimes]

@Westcoasty We are our own worst critics. I have my moments too and I have to remind myself to get out of my own way.

And I’m glad I could be of service. Another app that I like is Snapseed. It’s pretty powerful for a free app and can tweak photos you’ve already taken. If you have an older phone, it might help bridge the gap until you’ve picked up a new one. 

[Westcoasty]

@JoSometimes   I'm the same, for sure - always my own worst critic! But I'm working on it. 😊

I'll check out the Snapspeed app - thanks for the suggestion. I'll take al the help I can get! Heck, if I can master taking good selfies, I might even be able to start using online dating apps. LOL

[sister13]

I thought your pic looked great, but I definitely know it can be stressful and difficult to find a great selfie! I agree with the other comments here and from the other thread. I totally take a million pics and select a few favorites. There are certain windows where my pics looks way better than others. Usually standing facing a window where you get bright but indirect light works, and a few steps back from the window. I do love the portrait filter on the iPhone and I get better pics holding the phone at a slightly higher angle, not looking down. My right side is definitely more photogenic than my left side, it is only occasionally do I get a pic I like face-on or from my left side. And still, sometimes I feel like it looks better in real life than in the pics! Keep trying and I hope you do not discouraged and down on yourself about what the phone camera shows! Hope this helps a 

Little! @Westcoasty 

[Westcoasty]

@sister13   Wow - you always look so gorgeous in your photos I thought you must simply be that gorgeous IRL and photograph like a dream! I'll have to think more about where the best natural lighting is in my suite. I think I was feeling a little panicky yesterday, when my first attempt...and nearly all the subsequent ones...looked so terrible. It was difficult to be self-confident, seeing how terrible I looked in the photos. But really this is about a learning curve, right? Just like learning to apply makeup.

Thanks so much for the recommendations. They are greatly appreciated!

[SportyGirly125]

@Westcoasty I don’t edit my photos and take my pictures in the afternoon near a window. If it’s really cloudy I will get a selfie ring.  Also, it’s okay to take a lot of pictures to see what your best angle is. You can also watch YouTube videos to help guide you on how to take a selfie. 

[Westcoasty]

@SportyGirly125  Thank you for the recommendations. I was thinking I might need to get a selfie ring. I tried being near a window, and in fact I think that's how I finally got my one okay selfie shot.So note to self on that one.

Right now I don't think I have a best angle, though! LOL. Somehow the face I see in the mirror, which is pretty in a mature way and not terribly craggly, looks dreadful in selfies.

I'll look for YouTube videos as well. Thanks!