Tips on Taking Photos - YouLookFab Forum

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Tips on Taking Photos

Deborah

Veteran

I have just got my new Iphone and am planning to use it for photos for WIW etc
Does anyone have any tips of how to get the best photos? I think I am struggling with lighting and maybe a too small full length mirror. Mostly I will need to take my own photos (unless hubby or 8 year old son can be convinced of the importance) Don't suppose there is a timer on the Iphone?? Any advice for this rather inept photographer would be much appreicated.

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16 replies

Latest reply was from Deborah

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Point and shoot. See how you go! Learn through error - try and take photos in daylight.

AJ

Veteran

Getting enough light is key. I like how Lisa puts her mirror outside to take her photos.

Deborah

Veteran

Thanks Angie and AJ... now ladies you make it sound so easy I think moving the mirror is a good idea thanks. I haven't been happy with the photos I have taken so far, but trust practice will make perfect:)

judy

Veteran

Debora, do you have the newest iPhone? I use mine exclusively these days. It not only takes great pictures, but there are really fun apps for doctoring photos (not necessarily good for WIW photos tho!).

I'd suggest moving your mirror...and I've found cleaning it can help too :). You want your light source to fall on you, the subject, not on the mirror.

If there is a self timer on the iPhone, I haven't found it yet, but there is a focus. You can tap on the screen when you've got your subject in view, and this will change the focal point and it also changes the light levels. It's fun to play around with it. Tap something light and see what happens and then tap something darker and see that. A good rule of thumb when taking a photo is to find something not too dark or too light to focus on...something mid range...then parts of the photo will not be in shadows or washed out with too much light, unless you want it to look that way, of course.

There is also a zoom...tap the screen and a little scroll bar pops up that you can slide and zoom in on. Just remember that zoomed photos are grainier and more subject to blurry movement of the phone.

Does that help?

Lynne

Veteran

I am sure your 8yo wont mind helping, and my advice (which came from forum member Steph, @Mrs Eccentric) was to take several pics while you're at it - there is always one better than the others :).

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

There's an app that gives you a self-timer: I believe it's from Gorillacam and is free. Of course, then you have to figure out how to prop up your camera somewhere. You can get one of the Gorillacam mini-tripod things that works pretty well, and they're not too pricey iirc.

Deborah

Veteran

Judy, Lynne and Laura, thank you!

Judy yes it's the newest model Iphone and I might just be a bit lazy about learning how to use it properly... thanks for all the info. I practiced this morning and just might have a suitable pic for my first WIW!

Lynne, my son and hubby took pics for this morning. I think they think Im mad:) But hubby did say I looked really nice:)

Laura, of course... why didn't i think of looking in the app store... thank you this just might solve the issue for me.

Scarlet

Veteran

Judy-thanks I didn't know any of those tricks!

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

This is not an iPhone specific tip.

I find lighting to be the most important part of taking pictures. My favorite time of day to take pictures is 1.5-2 hours before sunset. I find a shady spot, and then just prop my camera on my car top or wherever (I don't use a tripod, I just look for a solid surface then set off my 10 sec timer). I don't have an SLR.

Early a.m. pictures will have the same soft lighting as pre-sunset (so called "magic hour" for shooting in the movie business).

Harsh sunlight is not flattering on me, also variegated lighting is tricky but sometimes I just settle for partial shade.

My other tip is to search out a good background. The best backgrounds for evaluating an outfit are neutral and even, without a lot of visual clutter or distraction. That's just my opinion, at least.

I love pictures taken outside, in nature. You almost can't go wrong.

Deborah

Veteran

CocoLion thank you:) I don't want to be too fussy but if Im going to post pics then i would like them to be clear and the outfits well defined. Will take your advice.

I was actually trying to do a WIW from my Iphone, is that possible? I don't seem to be able to upload the photo from the phone???

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I've replied on your other post. I think you need the iPhone app for YLF - see near the top on the right on this page.

Irene

Veteran

If I'm not lazy, I set my reflex on a tripod, put the remote on and shoot about ten times in different poses, then upload to YLF. With a high ISO on a reflex you don't need much lightening. Now, normally I AM lazy and use my mobile phone/IPOD touch to take the photos, and I do so facing a mirror. Since I don't want to move the mirror around the house and the lighting is pretty poor on the mirror (it's on the other side of the room, as far from the window as could be), I just post-process with some image program -needn't be photoshop. They look pretty clear after doing that, but nothing beats natural light. That's for sure. I'd try convincing your son to take some photos of you on your garden/patio/street. Really, it's the most practical thing and he'll enjoy your kisses and thank you hugs

April

Veteran

My suggestion has to do with the direction of your lighting. Make sure your light source is in front of you, not behind you. If you have a mirror that can be moved, put the mirror in front of sunny window rather than opposite it, so you don't end up in silhouette.

sarah

Veteran

Natural light is best, as others have said. Having said that, I don't have that option, as I'm always having my DH shoot the photos late at night or early in the morning when the kids are asleep and I have time, and I would be too embarrassed to take photos outside, as all the neighbors would wonder what the heck I was doing!

Deborah

Veteran

Thank you! Laura I downloaded the Gorillacam app...it's fantastic.
Thunalata, I had the YLF app !? Now I know what to do with it lol. and I must ask, did you end up wearing the dress the other day? You looked gorgeous in it.
Airin and April some great advice thank you.
Thanks to everyone's kind help I have successfully photographed and posted my first WIW..yay!

Deborah

Veteran

Sarah,hubby took my photo this morning as we were all rushing to leave for work and school...he wanted to know if I had "credited" him in the post And thanks natural light makes a big difference.