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Arts & CraftsPhotography Tips & Techniques

How to Look Great in Photographs

Instructions

  • Step 1: Choose your clothes When choosing your clothes, leave bright colors, crazy patterns, and horizontal stripes in the closet. Neutral colors look best.
  • Step 2: Check your face Check your face in the mirror: Do you have any blemishes you could cover, or greasy skin that needs powdering? Could your eyes use some drop to clear up redness? Are your eyebrows trim and neat?
  • TIP: If you wear makeup, remember that colors will look more intense in photos, especially on black-and-white film.
  • Step 3: Take pictures outside in morning or before sunset Try to have the pictures taken outside in the morning or before sunset. The light is soft and flattering at these times, whereas high noon or flash photography can illuminate a little too much.
  • Step 4: Make sure camera is eye level Make sure the camera lens is at eye level or just slightly higher. Any lower and you’ll look like you have a double chin.
  • Step 5: Lean back & angle hip forward To appear more natural when standing for a photo, lean slightly back, with your weight on your rear foot, and angle one hip forward.
  • TIP: Keep your posture erect but not overly posed. Think ‘Greek Statue,’ not ‘William Shatner.’
  • Step 6: Turn your head Turn your head two-thirds to one side or the other for a slimming effect on your face.
  • TIP: Avoid wide-angle lenses, which will widen the appearance of your face.
  • Step 7: Look at a light source Look at a light source, like a lamp or light, for a few moments. It reduces the size of your pupils and the possibility of red-eye. However, never look directly at the sun.
  • Step 8: Prevent blinking Just before the picture is taken, close your eyes and have the photographer count to three. Then open your eyes as he begins shooting. This is the best way to prevent blinking from ruining shots.
  • Step 9: Smile The last and most important part of a picture is the smile. Saying kitschy things like ‘cheese’ forces a fake grin that makes you look like a newscaster or a local politician. Instead, think of a funny memory, which will bring out a naturally happy look.
  • FACT: The first commercially available color film was offered in France in 1907.

You Will Need

  • A photographer
  • A camera with flash

Lessons in this Guide

How to Photobomb

How to Avoid Red Eye in Photos

How to Take Photos of Food

How to Take Photos of Christmas Lights

How to Achieve Artistic Lens Flare

How to Choose the Right Lens for Your DSLR Camera

How to Take Great Winter Pictures

How to Take Great Spring Break Photos

How to Spot a Photo That’s Been Retouched

How to Take Great Pictures of Cats

How to Photograph Natural Phenomena Phenomenally

How to Get Pictures from Video

How to Take Self-Portraits

How to Make a Bokeh Lens

How to Photograph Landscapes

How to Take Cute Baby Pictures

How to Make an Aerial Photography Rig with a Disposable Camera

How to Take a Family Portrait

How to Clean a Camera Lens

How to Light a Fashion Shot

How To Take a Group Portrait

How to Make a Pinhole Camera

How to Light a Portrait

How to Take a Child’s Portrait

How to Take Great Photographs

How to Take a Woman’s Portrait

How to Take a Portrait

How to Take Pictures of Wild Animals

How to Make a Tripod with a Piece Of String, a Beanbag, or Your Body

How to Take a Man’s Portrait

How to Take a Fashion Portrait

How to Make a Mini Tripod for Your Camera

How to Take a Nude Portrait

How to Take Pictures in Bright Sunlight

How to Choose Your Virtual Film Speed

How to Choose Your Shutter Speed

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