...photograph yourself? (No cock pics!)

[shiny5437]

After being single for a bit, and lacking opportunities to meet new women, I'm thinking about giving internet dating a bash.

However, I'm going to need a picture to go with my profile and unfortunately I'm bit of a minger! Does anyone have any tips about how to take a decent pic? I'm thinking of a head-shoulders sort of thing.

There was a thread like this earlier this year but the responses were pretty much that you have to take a lot of practice ones. Any other tips out there re lighting, angles, etc?

What are people looking for in these sorts of pics?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks folks!

 

[human_male]

Have someone snap some candid pics of you at a social event where you're laughing, smiling, hanging out kind of thing, not posing for the camera.

 

[CristinaRobo]

So I had to Google it....per the Urban Dictionary

"Minger" - A male or female who fell out of the ugly tree at birth and hit every branch on the way down.

"Minger" - Someone who was not just touched by the ugly stick at birth but was battered severely with it. Anyone who does not look better to you after several strong alcoholic drinks probably fits this category. Anyone scoring 7+ on www.amiaminger.com.

"Minger" - Not simply someone who is just coyote ugly, the phrase usually implies she is ugly, unkempt, over-weight and has hygiene problems such as a fishy cunt or skid marks on her underwear and her arse really stinks if you go to mount her doggy-style. She is also sexually promiscuous - a person who spreads sexually transmitted diseases. Her victims are always extremely horrified when they wake up the next morning. A somewhat crude term, the phrase is only usually used by people who are common, of low intellect or mingers themselves.Word comes from northern England and from Scotland.

"Minger" - Someone with a face like a bulldog licking piss off a thistle.

"Minger" - A typical Welsh word used to describe an ugly person. Usually the alternative to "hangin'" or "cowface". As in "Oh my god, you fucking MINGER!"


OK....I'm guessing that if any of the above applies, the subtleties of your photographic attempts may be the least of your problems.

 

[bobinks2]

Keep in mind that most camera flashes are designed to take pictures of groups of people. You're usually about 12ft (4 meters) from your subjects when taking photos of a group of friends. Flashes are designed for about that distance. If you're taking head shots, the camera will likely be about half that distance. As a result, you'll have twice as much light as you need. This will cause your photos to wash out (there will be large white, glare spots in the middle of your photo.) To avoid this, tape waxed paper (the kind you use in the kitchen) over your flash. That will cut the amount of light hitting you.

Be aware of what is behind you in the photo. Photos are two dimensional. A tree behind you will look like it is growing out of your head.

If you're taking a photo of you in front of a window or mirror, be aware of the light from the flash bouncing back into your photo. Think of the light from the flash as a billiard ball hitting the window or mirror. You want the light to bounce off at an angle, not back at the camera.

Take photos outside during the first or last hour of light.

Don't get carried away fixing your photo in photo editing software. You can get really good results by learning to 'set the white point'. I have a really old version of Photoshop. In my version, you select Images>Curves and then click on the white eye dropper, then you move the 'eye dropper' around to the white parts of the photo and click your mouse button. Try several spots and see which one works best.

Good Luck

 

[Eilan]

Have someone snap some candid pics of you at a social event where you're laughing, smiling, hanging out kind of thing, not posing for the camera.

I think this is a great idea!

 

[shiny5437]

Thanks for the advice folks! I'll definitely remember the camera flash tip. I'm gonna need all the help I can get.

Plus I love the idea that somebody in the USA is going to start scattering the word minger into her conversations!

Btw that's minger to sound like 'ringer' not 'binger'.

 

[vidiman]

Good advice below - think about how you want to come across

If relaxed and 'real' then the getting someone else to shoot 'candidly' seems a great idea. Like said below flash can wash out a shot and make it very unappealing.

Warm , soft light is most flattering. Try to light the eyes and avoid 'panda' eyes where the eye area is in heavy shadow.

 

[Eilan]

Good advice below - think about how you want to come across

If relaxed and 'real' then the getting someone else to shoot 'candidly' seems a great idea. Like said below flash can wash out a shot and make it very unappealing.

Warm , soft light is most flattering. Try to light the eyes and avoid 'panda' eyes where the eye area is in heavy shadow.

This advice coupled with that av = hilarity

Oh, and
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/stampe/Forumpics/Necro_zpsb13166af.jpg

 

[Hypoxia]

Only a 5.5 year zombie thread. Feh. We just had one revived from 2002. But I digress. The kewl togger uses a Holga or Diana camera with light leaks and outdated film. Or a classic Instamatic with a flashcube. None of this plebian fonecam shit, hey?

 

[Eilan]

Only a 5.5 year zombie thread. Feh. We just had one revived from 2002. But I digress. The kewl togger uses a Holga or Diana camera with light leaks and outdated film. Or a classic Instamatic with a flashcube. None of this plebian fonecam shit, hey?

My grandma had one of these!

 

[midwestyankee]

My grandma had one of these!

Hey! I still do.

 

[PrincepsCyberius]

If those less expensive options don't work, you could always try a professional photographer. If you do, shop around. They should have a plethora of work samples available in their studios or online. Pick one who seems able to get a person looking natural and friendly.

 

[NightL]

My grandma had one of these!

I had a couple of those grandma people as well

Oh wait, I should type the rest in bold purple as it seems I am missing something here...

 

[FGB]

Um, Get the hair cut first!

Turn the flash off. Use natural light. Use a timer or let some on else take the picture.

My main trouble is that the only thing that would help me is a sack!

But, not everyone see the same thing.

 

[Que]

Have someone snap some candid pics of you at a social event where you're laughing, smiling, hanging out kind of thing, not posing for the camera.

Well as long as we are commenting on the zombie thread, this I wanted to echo.

I hate the process of having my picture taken and rarely like the results if someone asks me to smile. If I am already laughing inside about something, sometimes I will take a seflie then with good results.

An actual, authentic smile usually involves some semi-involuntary muscles. Absent a lot of mirror time practicing, most people cannot pull one off. My idea is to have a friend run a video-clip on a smart phone when you are having fun doing something. Look at the clip, find a natural smile, and screen print that frame.

 

[ArabianNights]

I wonder if he got a date???

 

[shiny5437]

Blimey, this was a blast from the past. And I think this thread predated the selfie phenomenon.

2 tips I would suggest:

1. Background is very important. Be somewhere interesting.

2. If you are going to use the iphone to take pics, the volume control on the headphones also operates the camera. Gets away from the selfie look.

 

[ArabianNights]

Blimey, this was a blast from the past. And I think this thread predated the selfie phenomenon.

2 tips I would suggest:

1. Background is very important. Be somewhere interesting.

2. If you are going to use the iphone to take pics, the volume control on the headphones also operates the camera. Gets away from the selfie look.

But did you get a date??????