8 Guidelines for Taking Self Portraits (+ 16 Inspiring Shots)

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There's only two days left to enter this week's Giveaway Tuesday, and we'd like to see your best self portrait. Submit now (details here), or if you're in need of guidance, check out the tips below, plus a collection of inspiring shots via Flickr.

1. Relax and Be Yourself.

The worst self-portraits are the overly self-conscious ones. Imagine you're taking a picture for your best friend, or your mom - whomever you can be yourself around.  

2. Use a Timer and/or a Tripod.

We covered timer apps for iPhone/Android, and your standard digital camera should come equipped with a timer as well. Set up a tripod if you have one (if you don't, a rock or table should suffice), and try setting the timer on burst mode. This will give you a variety of shots to choose from.

3. Play Around with Focus.

Select focus can put you in the spotlight, or make you recede into the background. Either way, it's an interesting and potentially beautiful way to emphasize or de-emphasize your chosen subject matter.

4. Play Around with Light.

There are many ways to play around with light. One idea: try using a flashlight in a dark room to focus on one element (your face, your hands, etc.). Experiment with capturing the shot with or without the camera's built in flash.

5. Watch Yourself as You Shoot.

Want to see what kind of faces you're making? Try placing a mirror behind the camera as you pose. Set it on burst-mode and play around. Or take it a step further - use your mirror as a prop to create multiple reflections, as shown below.

6. Distract Yourself.

Set the camera on burst mode and go about your daily tasks, or do something you enjoy. Make pancakes, water the plants, ride by the tripod on your bicycle. Don't pose - try to forget the camera is there.

7. Shoot Candid

Some people are good at staring into the camera, and relaxing. Try capturing yourself open and unguarded as you gaze into the shutter.

8. Go Outside the Box.

Shy? Not to worry. A self portrait doesn't necessarily have to be of your face. Adventurous? Then ham it up. Here are a couple ideas:

• Capture your shadow in an interesting way.

• Take a photo of your feet, or just your hands. 

• Play with costumes, or strike a crazy pose. 

• Ham it up with lots of emotion.

• Set up an interesting background.

• Get creative with Photoshop.

• Let the landscape do the talking - set your timer and become one with nature.

• Play with perspective - take the shot from up high or down low.

• Get an action shot - jump, run, toss props in the air.

Photo credits, in order of appearance: Scarleth White, orange tuesday, laszlo-photo, madamepsychosis, andres.thor, ethan, lauren.rushing, dlemieux, Meredith_Farmer, brownhorse, Hamed Saber, blythe_d, toniwbusch, dlemieux, J. Star, serendipity