Enjoy going alone to take photographs but still want to have a subject in your photos?
Maybe you should try taking self portraits. I have been doing it for a bunch and it’s actually pretty fun.
Now I’m going to reveal you some of the best practises to help you shoot amazing self portraits like this one:
The setup
The most essential tool for self-portraits is a tripod—without it, capturing the shots will be a challenge.
For indoor or low-light shoots you’ll also want some kind of lighting but if you only shoot outside and in nature it doesn’t matter that much. I almost never use any artificial lighting in my self portraits because of that.
External monitor or flip screen are really helpful but they are not essential to have. I have neither and I have managed fine.
Some cameras come with a remote controller, but with the settings I'm about to share, you won't need one. Now, let's dive into the details!
The camera settings
The most important setting for self portraits is interval shooting. This feature allows your camera to take multiple photos automatically at a set interval, so you don't have to press shutter each time.
Your settings will depend on the location and setup, but here's what I usually use:
Shooting start time (delay): 10 seconds
Number of photos: 10-20
Interval between shots: 1-2 seconds
The exposure settings really varies depending on the scene but the key tip is to avoid using a too slow shutter speed to make sure you are in focus in the final shot.
When you have set the interval shooting and exposure settings, it’s time to set the focus.
Use manual focus - Set the focus at the exact spot where you'll be standing if you want yourself to be in focus. You can also focus on the background if you'd like.
Test and adjust - Setting the focus can be tricky, so take a few test shots and review them after each interval to make sure the subject is in focus.
Doing it this way, we are making sure you won’t get disappointed when you get back to edit your photos.
Also, some newer cameras have advanced autofocus that can accurately detect subjects, but not all models handle this well. My Sony A7R III, for example is from 2017 and I have found the manual focus to be more accurate than the autofocus in this case.
Post-Processing for Self-Portraits
Editing self-portraits follows the same process as any other photo, but here’s a quick rundown of my workflow.
Import the photos - I bring all images into Lightroom Classic for organization and editing.
Select the best shots - I go through the images and mark my top picks. Once I’m sure, I delete the rest.
Take a second look - If I’m unsure about a photo, I wait until my next editing session to review it with fresh eyes. This helps me make better decisions.
Pro Tip for Editing
When you stare at a photo for too long, it’s easy to miss details or over-edit. Taking a short break can help you see the image more clearly when you return.
I won’t dive into the full editing process here since it’s similar to regular photography. However, I’ll be sharing more editing tutorials soon, so stay tuned! Make sure to also read the previous blog posts for more tutorials and guides if you haven't yet!
Ready to capture stunning self-portraits?
It might seem challenging at first, but trust me—it's easier than you think! I had to figure out everything on my own, but with these tips, you'll be taking amazing self-portraits in no time!
Good luck with your shots! See you next week with another blog post!
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