My Photography Book

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Looking your best in photos

By Ossu Ungwunmi


Whether you're naturally photogenic or not, there are a few tips that anyone can put into practice if they want to improve the way they look in photos. If you're one of those people who hates seeing pictures of themselves, or you just want to look your absolute best, then read on to learn a few basic principles.

You won't always know in advance that you're going to be photographed. If you do, however, make an effort to dress appropriately. It's normally best to avoid striped clothing and clashing colours - go for simple, classic clothes you feel comfortable in. Under studio lighting or the glare of the camera flash, thin fabrics may become more revealing, so be aware of this.

Take notice of your posture when you're being photographed. If you're hunched or slouched, this can make you look shorter, and accentuate your stomach. Standing tall and straight is usually the best policy, but twisting your body a little can also look good. Relaxing your shoulders will also help you to look more natural.

The most important element of any portrait-style photo is your face. Generally speaking, an authentic-looking smile is the best expression to go for. If you find it hard to pose for a photo without your smile looking forced, try remembering things that made you laugh, or thinking about something that makes you happy. Don't forget that a true smile is all about the eyes - your eyes and eyebrows should be relaxed, and should say something to the person looking at the picture.

The backdrop for your photo and the lighting conditions will also make a huge difference. Always be sure to have at look at the environment you are in and work out the best angle for the shot, and try to avoid standing with light directly hitting your face, or light coming from behind you, which would be overexposed. Having a mirror to hand is always helpful, but in some cases there won't be a mirror available. As long as you keep practising, you will soon become a lot happier about having your photo taken.




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