Taking good pics: need advice! - YouLookFab Forum

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Taking good pics: need advice!

Beth

Veteran

So here I am, trying to take pictures of outfits. I've dragged the full-length mirror all over the house, trying to hold the camera at the right angle, practicing with the timer, getting the light bright enough, and...errrggghh, it's just not working very well!

The pictures I'm getting are so poorly done or so unflattering (you know how the wrong angle stumpifies everything) that there's no point in posting them. I'd put more out there if I wasn't spending so much time just trying to take them!

I know everybody has their special techniques (tub-balancing, anybody?), but I'll bet you experienced ladies have some secrets you'd be willing to share. Right?

General

18 replies

Latest reply was from Beth

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It might just be the angle of your mirror. Try different angles.
Also- having someone else take pictures. My kids usually take mine, and they do a decent job. Outside light works best for me, but only at certain times of day.

JennyK (NC)

Oh Beth, I so feel your pain! Those who have consistently good pics are holding their secrets close to their chest indeed!

I think I generally have the flattering pose worked out pretty well, and I know the ideal lighting conditions, but I don't always have ideal lighting conditions! I also don't have access to some fabulous nature scene or architecturally interesting background when I'm trying to get a snap of my outfit before I head out to work in the morning.

I am thinking seriously about getting a tripod and remote control clicker for the camera. I think I've found a spot in the house that has good light and a plain background but the only way I can take photos there right now is to have Boy Toy take them, and his eye is not as critical as mine. I think he might protest if I set up some big portrait photography umbrella lighting things in the dining room though. LOL

marianna

Veteran

I use the self-timer on the camera. I balance it on either a fireplace mantel or kitchen counter (best height for me) and then take about 1000000 pictures and pick the best one out of the bunch. Still, this method never produces an outstanding picture... but my camera is worthless, so that might be the culprit.

The last couple of times I've asked my boyfriend to be my photographer and the pictures have come out way better. For some reason when a person is behind the camera the photos just come out better. I'm trying to start my own outfit blog so I want my pictures to look nice, so from now on I think I'll ask my boyfriend to take my pictures. I do want to invest in a higher quality camera eventually, as that will make a big difference too.

The self-timer technique works just fine, but you have to find the right place to balance the camera, and make sure the room has a lot of natural light. I'm also convinced that natural likes makes the biggest difference of all.

JennyK (NC)

Marianna - I also use the self timer to take my pics. I am 100% sure that a big part of the reason I'm unhappy with them is that when you press the shutter button to set the timer, it auto-focuses. But where does it auto focus? It can't auto focus on me because I'm not in the frame. It focuses on the wall or something else nearby and the picture is never really crisp.

marianna

Veteran

Jenny, GREAT point. I never thought of that!

Kristine

Veteran

I use a tripod (that was from a rummage sale or the curb I think) and the self-timer button. The focus part can be hard sometimes, but it usually works if stick my hand out to about the same distance I'll be standing. If you have a door or something you stand in front of, you could try putting a masking tape "x" so the camera has something to focus on.

AJ

Veteran

Ah yes, taking outfit photos eats up a lot of time. The few times I have attempted it by myself were very frustrating. I do have a camera where I can flip the screen so I can get a general idea if I'm centered in the shot and hopefully the camera is auto-focused on me but I find that if I don't hold very still while the timer is counting down, my pics are blurry.
My eleven year old son takes most of my pics. It's faster and more clear pics to choose from. I tease him that by the time he is in high school, he'll be able to get a side job shooting portraits.
I haven't had much success taking my pics outdoors. There's one room that gets great afternoon sun. I also have a small spot light type thing. It's a bulb in a silver colored dome with a clamp at the other end. I use that to shine light my way.
I do like my photos better when the camera is slightly higher than my eye level. I have my son take four or five pics then I review them and repeat if necessary.
I use picnik.com to edit my photos. So depending on how quickly things go, I spend about 20-45 minutes taking, editing and posting one outfit.
ACK! This sounds so narcissistic!! Please be kind. : )

Dawn

(website)

My boyfriend is an amateur photographer so he has been taking all my photos for the past few months. If you can get someone else to take your photos, it really helps but it also helps to take it in good light (we have a flash setup in our hallway) and a background that doesn't distract from your outfit too much.

JennyK (NC)

AJ - I'm actually relieved to hear you say that because I have been a bit ashamed of how much time I spend on the whole process! LOL

It takes less time as I do it more.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Beth,
I haven't found the magic secret either, but I've managed to get a system that gets me passable pics at least. I like to set my camera at about chest height and stand 10 or so feet from the camera. I don't have any problem with the auto focus- not sure what I'm doing right
I also try to let as much natural light into the room as possible (open the blinds) and set the flash too for most days.
I figure I don't need catalog perfect pics, just good enough for you all to see my outfits and not think I'm horribly malfigured

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I have evolved from using the mirror to using the self-timer and a tripod, and I don't want to go back. If you have a point-and-shoot, you can pick up a cute Gorillapod and set up a tripod anywhere, wrapped around a pole, etc.

Lena

I would post more if I could take better pictures. I need to find a place with enough natural light and a plain(er) background. Mostly I use a timer. Lighting is actually the biggest challenge for me.

I'm kind of torn about poses. I usually pose very straight: so if there's something off about an item, it would be more noticeable and you guys could see it better? Heh, I don't know if my reasoning makes sense at all.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

My pics are pretty bad, so I prob have no business replying....(-:

I take my pics in the mirror with my phone! My better pics are when there is a flood of natural, but not direct, light. So that's my "big tip" for ya.

I've tried the self-timer on my regular camera, but I just don't have a good spot where I can get far enough away that my whole figure fits in the shot AND I get all natural light so I don't have to use the flash. I think using a flash on a point-and-shoot where you can't bounce it against a wall or ceiling flattens things out. Natural light is def. the best way to go.

AVOID tungsten or fluorescent light. Tungsten makes everything look orange, and fluorescent makes everything look green - mixing the two is even worse!

Kari

Veteran

My pictures are by no means great, but learning to use the self-timer really helped me. I picked one spot in my house that works because it has a somewhat plain background, and I can stand directly in front of a dresser that the camera focuses on, which means that the images are mostly clear. I also figured out which function on my camera produce the most natural-looking light, and I use a simple (free) photo-editing software to slightly correct poor lighting and red eye. My camera has a flip-up viewfinder that I can use to tell whether the camera is "cenetered" around the area I'll be standing in, so I don't have to go back often to re-adjust.

That being said, I know my photos will only be so good - I use a Canon Powershot S3, which has more options than a basic point-and-shoot but isn't a DSLR (I can't afford one.) There are no remote shutters that will work with this camera, so I must use a self-timer. On weekdays I don't have time to take photos during the day - I'm limited to the mornings before work and it's still dark when I leave the house - so artificial light is my only option. So unless my lifestyle, work schedule, and budget significantly change, my photo and lighting quality can only be so good.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Kari - I have the same problem with lighting - I recently began getting up extra early to workout before work, so it's even darker than before. Basically, this means I will get decent pics of my summer outfits only! (-:

April

Veteran

I have found that I look a lot shorter and stumpier when the camera is held up higher, aiming downward. When my son takes photos for me, he will lie on my bed to get more of a "straight on" angle and avoid this.

Also, be sure your lighting source isn't behind you as you photograph, or you'll get a silhouette effect and we won't be able to see the details of your outfit.

stringy

Veteran

So many good tips here! I'd suggest that good lighting means even lighting, i.e. no harsh shadows. Sometimes I get a nice even light that's a little dim or red looking (all my walls are beige, I'm sure this makes me look browner) - I use Picasa to host my pics, and it's got a little tool that lets you play with the white balance a bit. Usually the auto setting there does the trick for me - or well enough for clothes pics, anyway.

But if in doubt, rope someone else in to help you by taking the pic for you. It's the simplest way to make sure all of you is in the pic and that you're in focus.

Beth

Veteran

Wow you guys, great tips! It also feels good to know I'm not the only one who struggles with this. I think getting the light right is my biggest challenge along with finding a background that doesn't compete too much.

The autofocus is an issue I hadn't thought about, but it would explain a lot about my pictures. We're on yet another snow-day today, so it might be a good time to go experiment yet again!