Self-portraits for non-emo, non-MySpace whores

By Jamie Wiebe

3:28 p.m. Feb. 10 2008

If you’ve had the same Facebook picture since you started college — you and your lovely prom date, perhaps, or a striking photo of you from your bar mitzvah — it may be time to think about selecting a new photo.

“But there are no good photos of me!” you may insist. Either you simply aren’t photogenic, or most pictures tagged of you contain some alcoholic beverage — neither of which portray your classy side.

Do not fear. You too can take a profile picture with the elegance and grace of a Vogue photoshoot using only your digital camera and a well-lit location.

Tricks of the trade

Before taking your photo, take a deep breath and relax: You are your own worst critic. Do your hair and makeup if you feel it’s necessary, but there’s no need to go beyond the usual routine. Prepare for a lengthy session. After all, professional photographers take hundreds of pictures to find “the one,” and you are not a professional.
Make sure you know how to use your digital camera’s self-timer feature, as it will come in handy in your quest — especially if you don’t have a patient friend available. If you can’t figure it out yourself, use Google to find instructions specific to your camera. Most camera models have manuals available on the Internet.
The difference between a good and a bad photo relies almost entirely on composition and lighting. The “rule of thirds” is a cornerstone to taking a visually pleasing photograph, but there are many other things you can do to alter the mood and personality of your own picture.

Idea #1: Natural light

Use natural lighting to play up your assets. To highlight your best features, stand by a window and have a friend take the photo or use the self-timer on your camera, said Robb Hill, a Chicago-area photographer who teaches mini-classes at Norris.

“Most people use the flash, and it kinds of blows everything out,” Hill said. Shadows and light coming from windows add drama to a stale photo, so experiment with taking pictures at different times of the day.

To do:

Utilize the natural light from windows to add intrigue to your photo.
Photo by nicholas_t on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Not to do:

Too much flash washes out contrast.
Photo by Jacob Bøtter on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Idea #2: Mirrors

Don’t be afraid to play with mirrors or glass, but keep in mind that simply turning on flash does not make for a good self-portrait. Most profile pictures on MySpace have the subject looking wistfully into a mirror (in various stages of undress) with a camera held awkwardly next to their face. This is the wrong route. However, it is possible to use mirrors and glass without looking like you’re about to write some epic poetry about your piercing loneliness.

A reflective or glass object can create an alluring focus point and help your photo stand out. Play around with compact discs, windows and makeup mirrors for an original shot. Stay away from the temptation of the bathroom mirror, and especially the temptation of your cell phone. If you need a quick fix, this technique may work; however, for any remotely professional arena (and yes, this includes Facebook), the shot will only look crass and sloppy.

To do:

Shooting yourself through a glass ball makes for a more dramatic, and interesting, photo.
Photo by huxleyesque on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Not to do:

Don’t fall into the trap of the cellphone camera.
Photo by stallio on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Idea #3: Go armless

One common problem plaguing self-portraits is the inevitable and awkward “arm in the picture pose.” Amateur photographers hold the camera above their heads at about 45 degrees — also called the “MySpace angle” — to take the picture, causing a length of their arm to remain in the shot. There are classier choices.

“You can always tell the arm is there,” Hill said. He recommends finding a friend to take the picture, but if you are friendless (or too embarrassed to admit to your quest for a caliente Facebook photo), find a table or flat surface. The surface should be at neck-height, otherwise the photo will be oddly cropped.

To do:

By setting your camera on a level surface, you can take a snazzy self-photo.
Photo by Ben Cummings on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Not to do:

Taking a picture without a steady surface looks as if the camera is the only thing keeping you from falling.
Photo by bossco on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Idea #4: Colorful personality

Personality doesn’t need to fall by the wayside in a self-portrait. Instead of taking the photo up against the standard white background, go to SPAC, your dorm room with your super-trendy Jim Belushi “COLLEGE” poster or even the Deuce to give your viewers insight into your personality and interests.

“Take the photo in a place that represents who you are,” Hill said.

To do:

A self-portrait with your favorite objects is more likely to grasp the viewer.
Photo by matthewpiatt on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Not to do:

A simple white wall can mute your personality.
Photo by ozzzie on Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons.

Don’t expect studio-quality work with a digital camera, but using these tips can help you create an interesting and dramatic self-portrait with enough photographic merit to make you stand out from the crowd.