Hey SGland!
I got inspired by a blog that @lyxzen wrote in which @rambo and @missy asked her to write about "How to take the perfect selfie" and decided to write one but not just for the basic selfie, but how to actually do an entire self shot set...either for SG MR or just an album for your page.
Here are some basic rules first to keep in mind...
1. Have a "storyboard" in your head before starting!
You need to have a least some idea what you want to accomplish before going into a self shot set. Are you going to want to have long shots, close ups etc? There is nothing worse than starting a self shot set and having no idea what you want to do or where to go when you start.
2. Pick out a location that has enough space so you can get a variety of shots.
The goal to a "perfect" self shot set is to make it so it doesn't look like one. If you just set up a camera facing one direction and you just pose in that one spot....clearly it was a self shot set and it will be less successful. You want to be able to get long shots, close ups, portraits, and from all angles. Self shot sets are usually the most successful outdoors because you can really move around.
The location for my self shot set in MR is my favorite location for any of the sets I've chosen...lots of open space.
3. VARIETY!
Don't just stand there and let the camera take pictures of you in a corner. Move around!! Move the camera around!! This goes along with number 2. As long as you have the location that allows for this type of movement, there should be no reason why you can't do variety. Take a few photos one way, and then move the camera and yourself, take some more, etc etc. No one wants to see a girl who is standing in the corner and has clearly just moved a bit from frame to frame....change the camera angle, change your angle, change everything about the shot every few shots....you'll have more to choose from later doing this also.
Heres the same room, same table and chairs but completely different shots to achieve variety
4. Be aware of your surroundings!
Nobody wants a giant TV or dirty laundry in the background. Make sure you clear out your space before shooting! And if you're outdoors, be aware that no creepers are watching! (yes, this has happened to me!)
As you can see...my cat photo bombed these two photos...
Now that we have the basic rules down, lets talk about doing a self shot set in general.
Self shot sets are extremely hard work. If you're thinking about doing one....be ready to spend ALL day shooting it or even two days. It's a constant "Take a few pictures, run back to the camera and switch it up, take a few pictures, run back to the camera..so on and so forth". Be ready to exercise!
I don't use a remote...some girls do. I use a Nikon and my Nikon has a setting in which I can set the self timer to 9 shots back to back. So I take 9 shots, and then move to a new position, angle etc and then do it again. I find the remote to be a hassle because you're less likely to get up and move the camera. With the self timer, I'm forced to run back to the camera and change it...because I'd have to hit the button again anyway. I also find remotes a hassle for post processing, since you have it in your hand. You have to be conscience of where it is in the photo and "hide" it. (maybe not all remotes but the ones I've used). So I just avoid them all together. I find the result to be better.
Heres some shots that were clearly back to back but all work...but you can see what I'm saying about it's clear that it's self shot when you get these results. So with shots like these, you will want to pick a choose the ones you're gonna use or spread them amongst other shots in between.
I find the outdoors to be a much better setting than indoors for self shot stuff because there is more room to "play" around with settings etc. Long shots are something self shot sets lack...if you're outdoors, you can really attempt to get some great ones.
Here are some longshots I've managed to get when shooting outdoors...
Detail shots are also extremely hard to pull off in a self shot set because you honestly don't know exactly where your camera is pointing. You really gotta angle yourself so your camera captures the best parts of you!
Detail shots are the hardest but not impossible. Just takes lots of trial and error! Detail shots include tattoos, your most feminine parts and even portraits...here are some of the different things you can achieve with the right angles..
Make sure your shots are in focus! Sometimes my Nikon likes to focus on the shiny objects in the background...it tends to have camera ADD....so when I think I got some great shots and look through them...I just scream "DAMN IT!" And I have to do it again! It's really all trial and error.
A picture of my feet from my set in MR...they are out of focus...It actually works with the set but it any other set, it wouldn't have worked.Always make sure your images are crisp!
I don't follow the typical rules for photography with my self shot sets as I don't use photoshop, nor do I stick to conventional compositions. I like to play with shapes, angles, and "weirdness". I find those types of shots more interesting than just the basic "Strike a pose" with the camera straight on. The more you mess around with your camera and taking pictures, the more you'll find what YOU like. Don't worry about what everyone else likes.
Here's some composition that isn't typical...they say never to cut people off at the knees...but sometimes I like the look and I like when people aren't always centered. I like lens flares...it just brings a more personal touch to a picture
They say to never cut off the top of a head either..but in this instance it works for me because the focus is supposed to be on the body...it's all about YOUR artistic direction, no need to follow the rules!
Lighting will always be an issue when shooting self shot stuff...especially outside because it changes all day...and that's about how long it takes to shoot one. So unless you're using a flash, be ready to make changes based on the big ball of light in the sky.
As I was shooting this set...the sun began to set so I managed to snap some pretty ...well..what I think are cool... shots before it went dark on me.
Well...that's about all I have....if you're interested in shooting your own set and have questions, I'd be more than happy to answer questions, you can just message me! :) Also, there are so many SGs that have amazing self shot sets including @axys and @milloux
To see my self shot stuff for some ideas here are some links!
Here is an album that was originally shot for SG but I decided not to turn it in - Celtic Wolf Shadows
My self shot set in MR - Soft Focus Sunset
XoXo
Mara - my current set in MR - Desert Fox
