5 Common Mistakes People Make When Taking Selfies

With so many smartphones and digital cameras in circulation, it's hardly surprising that millions of people take and post selfies every day. Where once people would probably have thought you were extremely vain to post a photo of yourself online, it's now perfectly normal to put selfies on social networks, blogs and websites and almost a requirement for a good dating profile. Unfortunately, good selfies are still surprisingly hard to find. Learn how to get your selfies right with this quick guide to the biggest mistakes other people make.

No natural light

Flash photography certainly has its place, but the glare of a flash bulb rarely makes a flattering selfie. While the point of a selfie is that you don't stage the image too much, it's still worth trying to take the picture in natural light. Good light is softer on your face, and eliminates unflattering dark shadows.

Boring situation

It's only worth taking a selfie if the situation calls for it. Too many people publish unremarkable selfies, which leave their followers wondering why they bothered. Stand in front of a famous landmark, put on an interesting outfit, take an action shot or do something unusual. A good rule of thumb is to try to take a selfie that is unlike any other picture you have seen before.

Do background check

While you are the prime focus of your selfie, other people will still notice what's going on behind you. If you're at home, make sure you're not taking a picture of your amazing new outfit, while showing the dirty underwear lying on your bedroom floor. Pay attention to posters or images on the wall behind you because they can quickly become more prominent than you. Pets are also particularly good at 'photobombing' (creeping into a picture without your knowledge), so think about locking them out of the room.

Using mirrors

The most common type of selfie shows somebody taking a picture in the mirror. It's easy to see why people do this because it helps them get an immediate idea of what the photo is going to look like. The problem is that everyone can see the camera or smartphone that they're using, and this really spoils the image. There's also something a bit seedy about a mirror selfie, given that they very often take place in the bathroom. And if you don't do the background check mentioned above, your picture may include towels thrown over your shower pole, toothpaste and makeup on your counter, and a not so great shot of your toilet. Take photos away from a mirror, remembering that you can take several attempts to find the right image.

Too many selfies

Selfies often make a great conversation point, but nobody wants to keep seeing the same friend, same pose in one photo after another. If you keep taking and posting similar selfies, your friends or profile viewers will soon lose interest. When it comes to a great selfie, the golden rule is that 'less is more'. Use selfies sparingly, vary your location or activity, and only publish those images that will make people smile, tell something positive about you, and make the viewer want to get to know you, leave a comment, or send you mail.