Selfie Control: How To Take Better Selfies

Det. Looker is back with some common-sense advice on how to improve your social media mug shots

For every memorable, amazing selfie shot that is posted to a social media site there are usually at least two cringeworthy, embarrassing ones. It can be tough to objectively evaluate self-portraits, so this month we’ll look at some common sense tips that can help you to take and post better selfie shots.

1. Ask friends to identify your best selfies.
Your friends may be hesitant to say anything negative, but they’ll probably be happy to tell you which selfies are most flattering. Use that info to guide future selfie shoots.

2. Study selfies taken by others.
When you spot a selfie that is exceptionally good or bad, analyze its merits or faults and apply what you learn to your own selfies. Instagram and Facebook are good places to discover G-rated selfies, but for more provocative examples try GuysWithiPhones.com and CameraPhoneGuys.tumblr.com.

3. Think carefully before sharing XXX photos of yourself via social media or hookup apps.
If you do, there’s a good chance they’ll end up all over the web. If you want to have effective control of your online persona, don’t share XXX photos.

4. Modesty is hot. Narcissism is not.
If you post selfies to get attention, try to do so in a way that won’t be perceived as vain or insecure. Some people may praise narcissistic behavior, but twice as many people will quietly roll their eyes and think, “WTF?” If you want to be your own PR agent, be a good one.

5. Use a tripod or stand to create natural looking selfies.
At Mefoto.com you’ll find a versatile stand that also functions as a standard tripod mount.

6. Wait a day before posting new selfies.
After a day you’ll be able to look at your photos with fresher, more objective eyes.

7. Don’t post selfies when drunk or otherwise incapacitated.
Wait until you’re sober to post selfies, since they are rarely urgent or time sensitive…

8. Avoid excessive Photoshopping.
If you’re experienced and capable of restraint, it’s okay to use the Heal Brush to fix a blemish. But don’t re-texture your entire face or alter your bone structure. It’s easy to go overboard.

9. Protect your privacy.
Did you know that most smart phone pics were embedded with meta-data detailing the GPS location where the photo was taken, the date and time it was taken, the direction you were facing, and the device used to take it? There are numerous reasons why you might not want this information disclosed. If your nude selfie ends up on Tumblr, for instance, you don’t want to make it easy for stalkers to figure out where you live, work, or play. Or imagine you’ve told your boyfriend that your hot new selfie was taken at the gym. But then he checks the meta-data and discovers that it was taken at a local sex club, while he was out of town… Luckily, it’s not hard to get rid of meta-data. You’ll find a useful article at CypherAvenue which includes tips on how to disable GPS tagging of photos on iPhones, how to re-save photos without meta-data, and more. There are also meta-data editors available for PC’s and Macs. For a different take on selfie advice, check out the Project Q Atlanta guide to taking sexier selfies. In addition, Kevin Banks has put together a fun visual guide to some common selfie cliches on his blog.