Taking pictures - YouLookFab Forum

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Taking pictures

catgirl

Veteran

How do you all do it quickly and efficiently? I have no time, no good place, and no help (since husband is gone before I'm dressed, and 6 year old doesn't count). I would love to post some pictures of outfits for feedback, but just finding the camera is a chore! Do you use a tripod and self-timer? Mirror? Friend?

I love seeing all the photos here, and it seems like having a group of girlfriends in your living room to give you tactful good advice 24/7, which I could use.

So fill me in, ladies!

General

14 replies

Latest reply was from Kari

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I finally found a place where I could set my camera (my chest of drawers) that was a good height, and I use the self-timer. I'd love to have a tripod someday. Sometimes the self-photo in the mirror is the best one can get! I leave the camera out in the right place so all I have to do is set the self-timer, open the blinds, click and pose. Now, downloading, cropping, uploading... that stuff I find tedious and time-consuming.

It's worth walking around and trying some different places in your house/yard/workplace/whatever, and seeing what works best, as far as lighting and position and backdrop.

catgirl

Veteran

Yes, the follow-up is what is hard for me... my family is constantly berating me that I don't upload more photos to Facebook, but the TIME! I will have to scout out my room and other possible places. Outside is not going to work, as we will have snow any minute now!

Louise

Veteran

I have a gorrillapod http://joby.com/gorillapod/original/ which I attatch to the back of my chair. Uploading them to the site is now superfast~ load them onto your computer the cliak on the add photo box under the post find them on your computer and 'bob's your uncle' photos uploaded x

Queen Mum

Veteran

I can take pictures, load to computer, and upload here all in less than 10 minutes. I usually put my cutting board on my stove for a flat surface, snap a few pictures, load and crop, and then they are ready to post whenever I want.
If you are really pressed for time, a quick pic in front of a full length mirror is a great option. Just make sure there is plenty of light in the room and you turn the flash off on the camera.

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

You need to spend a little time up front experimenting on what is going to work best for you: first figure out the timer on your camera, then figure out where to take the best and fastest photo, then figure out how to efficiently upload the photos. I've switched all of those around several times over the last couple of years, especially as I have gotten better at it. But once you get it down it can be done in about 10 minutes, and much less if you are only uploading one photo right to YLF.

stringy

Veteran

Also, if you make sure that your standard setup is one where the image of you fills the frame, there's much less need for cropping before you upload.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Don't rule the 6 year old out, either! My 11 year old takes all of my photos for me.

Beth

Veteran

It definitely takes some scouting to find the perfect location. The right light is a struggle for me as is the best height for the camera. I'm finding right now that the quickest and easiest way is just to stand in front of the mirror and take a picture that way.

By far the biggest improvement in the ease of photos is Angie and Greg's brilliant new photo upload option. It saves a huge amount of time!

Lisa

Veteran

I can rarely get hubby to play photographer. Since I'm shy, I take photos in the mirror by myself and usually miss the head in the shots. Doing so let's me get a closer picture of the outfit anyway. My mirror is not attached to anything so I find the best natural lighting I can and take a snap or two. It's very hard to find time for a photo everyday so I do the one's I can, usually an outfit I am questioning and want feedback on or to show the results of advice already received. I've been late to work once or twice but the feedback is worth it!

lynne

Veteran

I was just about to ask this myself, so thank you ladies for all the advice, and to alaskagirl for asking first.

Dawn

(website)

I get my BF to play photographer! It's not too difficult as he is an avid amateur photographer and loves any opportunity to use his camera. The only struggle I have is getting him to hunker down a tiny bit as he is 8 inches taller than me.

shana

Veteran

I have not had time to take good shots for awhile so I usually take a WIW snap while I am out and about, usually in a store mirror! At home, I have a tripod and since my house is so dark, I like to take my pic on the deck outside with lots of natural light. This is course is extremely weather dependent!

NK

My young son used to take all my photos (and they turned out much better than those taken by my husband) but he got bored of it quickly, so I bought a $15 tripod at Target and figured out the timer feature on my camera.

My house is dark thanks to the shutters and sun shades we have on all the windows, so I always take my pictures outside for the best light.

I know there are wireless remotes you can get for cameras, but I haven't done my research on them yet. (Is that even what they're called??!)

Kari

Veteran

I do it alone with a tripod and self-timer right before I leave the house in the morning (if I have time!) If it's bright enough, I might go outside, but during most of the year I leave the house in the dark.
It's not great, and I really wish that my camera would work with a remote control instead like some others do. However, it's the only possibility that exists for me.