Users come to Instagram for visual content. If the account owner doesn’t come up with original ideas for photos on Instagram, their pictures risk being scrolled past without attention. Monotonous interiors, offices, streets, cafes – all of this exists in everyday life and seeing them in other people’s photos is not interesting. Originality, style, and unexpectedness work, that is, the ideas for selfies on Instagram that no one else has had.
How to take the perfect selfie for Instagram: secrets
The perfect shot is first born in the mind. Without this, no “fancy” photo equipment will help. The main thing is the idea, and basic and specialized knowledge will help to embody it.
Work on the lighting
Proper lighting is the basis of good photography. Professional photographers always follow the light: they wake up at dawn to catch it and wait for hours for the right angle of the beam. For selfies, basic knowledge of lighting is sufficient. It can be:
- Directing. This is directional lighting that highlights some details and shadows others. The light source is located 1.5-2 meters away from the shooting object. An example of directional lighting is sunlight passing through a door or window, between trees or buildings.
- Filling. This light is even and does not create shadows. Such lighting will help in further processing of the frame: it is easy to highlight the necessary details and shade the secondary ones.
- Contrast. Creates a light strip. The further the light source from the object, the wider the strip, and vice versa.
- Background. The background is illuminated. This is always diffused, soft light. To highlight the shooting object, it must be illuminated more strongly than the background.
- Light accent. A narrow beam of strictly directed light. Harshly highlights one detail, hiding others.
Choose the right angle
The shooting angle is the position of the lens relative to the object being photographed. When taking a selfie, if the camera is positioned above eye level, the focus is on the face. The figure is secondary in such a shot and therefore appears slimmer. Any girl loves this angle, even with a slender build.
Positioning the camera at chin level will make the model appear taller. If you need to reduce the size of the face in relation to the body, this is the angle to use.
When taking a group shot, it is best to position the camera at eye level with the objects. This will avoid optical distortions.
Don’t forget about your facial expression
Sincere emotions are 70% of the success of a photograph. Each person’s face is unique. There is no need to copy someone else by taking a “commonly accepted” pose or making a “trendy” facial expression. The more natural the emotions in the photo and the higher the degree of emotion, the better. Light makeup is mandatory, and shadows around the eyes or redness of the skin should be concealed.
Monitor the quality of the picture
In a good photo, there should be no random details. A grumpy aunt, a peeing dog, a house with laundry hanging on the balcony, and similar objects are mercilessly removed. No white spots, unnecessary body parts or extra clothing details. Blurry and dark photos – in the trash. If the photo is taken in an apartment, make sure that scattered things, hygiene items, or the reflection of a parent in stretched-out sweatpants do not appear in the frame.
Instagram Star Guide
Here are some tips from travel bloggers Ivan Dementievsky, Sergey Sukhov, Anastasia Frolova, and leading photographer of National Geographic Russia Kirill Samursky:
- When taking a portrait shot against the sun, you can use a flash to eliminate unnecessary shadows on the face;
- A drop of water on the camera can provide macro photography as it works as a lens;
- A selfie stick increases the field of view and allows you to take a photo from an original angle;
- When the sun is bright, you can take a photo through sunglasses with a gradient filter by placing your phone on the folded arms of the glasses;
- You can create a matrix effect by attaching a phone in serial shooting mode to a fishing line and spinning it;
- Using a tripod and timer, you can take a selfie from behind.
How to take a selfie that is interesting
If users have subscribed to an account on Instagram, it means they are interested in the owner of the page. Therefore, it is necessary to be creative with a selfie background.
Unusual and beautiful places
Most people in the world would like to travel more. A significant portion of those who want to are held back by a lack of finances, while others are deterred by the discomfort of travel. One of the tasks of an Instagrammer is to provide their followers with impressions of new places. They get to see beautiful, historic places for free and without having to change their familiar surroundings.
You can also take interesting photos without leaving your local area. You just need to look at familiar landscapes creatively. An ordinary landscape can provide many ideas for unusual shots. For example, a time-lapse of a busy street with one stationary object, or using car roofs as reflective surfaces.
Photo with famous people
This is a foolproof option. Media personalities are always of interest to the public, and a photo of the account owner next to them will not go unnoticed. For example, Tom Cruise visited a metro station in the center of Kiev during a recent trip. Surely everyone who was in the right place at the right time took a selfie with him.
Unexpected situations on set
Sometimes even inspiration is not necessary, it’s enough to be attentive and always ready to shoot. People around laugh, argue, fall, chew, drop things, make funny poses and act strange when they think no one is watching. A phone or camera should always be at the ready.
Unusual photos with animals
Here you have to be prepared for the fact that the owner of the selfie will become the background. Because a frame with animals, like with children, cannot be overshadowed by a beautiful pose, a beautiful landscape, or oneself.
Use forbidden techniques
What if you wear a suit or a bow tie on the beach? Or pajamas in class? With sparklers at a fireworks festival? A poker face at a comedy concert? Such a post is sure to go viral.
How to create a top selfie – photo editing and filters
Proper composition and basic photography skills are the foundation of a good photograph. Equally important is the ability to edit photos. Smartphones support basic applications. Non-professional photographers do not necessarily need to use expensive photo equipment. A top selfie can be taken at home, directly on the phone. It is enough to use applications such as Adobe Lightroom, Snapseed, VSCO Cam. They will help reduce glare, create the desired color mood, balance white color, and correct shooting errors.
It is not plagiarism to draw ideas for selfies from celebrity bloggers. At least not at first. The skill of visualizing a frame should develop and progress. Learning from professionals is a good exercise, and then your own ideas for selfies on Instagram won’t take long to wait. The formula for success is as much practice as possible.