Another tip for looking good in photos!

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 05:49:14 GMT

clipped by: meerkat
clipper's remarks: Interesting!

Turn Your Digital Camera Upside Down For Better Portraits

Flipping your digital camera over for better portraits is a technique you won’t find in your digital camera owners manual.

If you are using your compact digital camera and flash for shooting a portrait here’s a suggestion that you might never consider, turn your camera upside down.

Believe it or not by turning your camera upside down impacts how the light from the flash illuminates your subject. Most people have circles under their eyes and when you turn your camera upside down the flash hits the skin at a different angle and helps diminish the circles and makes them look younger.

The first photo was taken in the normal position with the flash on top.

In this second photo I flipped the camera upside down.

Notice in the second photo because the angle of the light from the flash is now hitting her skin at a different angle it helps reduce lines and is a more flattering light.

True, the effect is subtle. However, if you show someone a photo of themselves using this technique they will like the upside down flash version better, guaranteed.

Also, these photos are REALLY closeup! In a normal proportioned photo the effect is even more flattering.

Give it a try!

Tags: photo, photography, digital, tips

5 Steps to Being More Photogenic

Fri, 01 Dec 2006 05:24:15 GMT

clipped by: meerkat
clipper's remarks: So useful for professional portraits, or for random pictures with your friends. Ah, vanity.

Clip Source: www.digitalcamerau.com

Step 1

If you are standing - turn slightly and rest your weight on one foot. It may FEEL goofy, but you WILL look better.

If you are sitting – angle to one side or the other.

Step 2

Lean slightly toward the camera – Leaning slightly toward the camera adds interest, dimension, and a natural look to a photo. Think of having a long neck like a gazelle, and tilt your chin down just a bit to avoid the appearance of a double chin and also to prevent the camera from getting a view right up your nostrils.

Step 3

Models are taught to change state by developing a ‘trigger.’ So when they are about to have their picture taken, even if they are in a crummy mood, they can go from level 1 to level 5 in a heart beat. Firing a trigger is a reminder to do the things that make you look good. Believe it or not, THE most successful trigger we found over the years was called the ‘rear cheek squeeze.’ It’s really cool because it’s inconspicuous. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like; you squeeze the cheeks of your rear end together. Don’t make fun of it until you try it. To see it’s effectiveness try this experiment. Ask someone to sit on a chair and then ask them to squeeze their cheeks together. I have not met ONE person who doesn’t immediately smile and say something like, okay, now what?

Step 4

Learn to ¾ smile – People just don’t like pictures of themselves with huge smiles. Smiling too big exposes gums and causes your eyes to turn into slits.

Step 5

Never look directly at the lens – ALWAYS, look slightly ABOVE the lens.

Tags: tips, photo, howto

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Another tip for looking good in photos!

Turn Your Digital Camera Upside Down For Better Portraits

5 Steps to Being More Photogenic