Tips on Taking a Great Selfie

In August 2013, the word selfie was added to the Oxford Dictionaries. Based on its recent and sudden increase in usage, in November 2013, selfie was announced to be their international Word of the Year 2013.

Yes, taking a selfie requires a little patience and a whole lot of practice. No, you're not too late to join the bandwagon. We are going to give you pointers on how to take a perfect selfie.

If you're not sure as to what angle, lighting, or style will work in your favor, do a quick search on some celebrity selfie faux pas. That way, at least you'll be informed about what not to do. And as far as what you should be doing to get the best selfie, is to read the following tips.

Before you can even think about uploading a selfie on your social networking site, you need to decide which device to use in the first place.

Although there are many devices (cell phone, DSLR, iPad, etc.) you can use to take a selfie, the best out of the lot is a smartphone with a front and back camera. But, it doesn't mean that your other gadgets can't come in handy.

You just have to understand how each of them works. In the end, all that matters is how well you practice and can get the right shots.

A lot of people suggest that while taking a selfie, you should tilt your face ¾ of the way to the camera. Although that may be true for some, it doesn't necessarily work for everyone. When it comes to taking pictures, we all have good and bad sides.

Find yours; it'll only make life easier and so much simpler. One good way to hide your flaws is by bringing in another subject for the selfie. Since the picture will be a closeup, you can angle yourself accordingly (put your best face forward).

Look at the lens, and not the screen while taking a selfie; it's the one thing that lets others know that you've never done this before. Plus, if you wish to take a full body selfie, stand in front of the mirror, hold the phone or camera low, near your waist, and click away.

Apart from this, there are a few general tips you should keep in mind while you're at it.

1. Hold the camera slightly higher to make your face look slimmer.
2. Hold your chin upward, looking toward the camera for the picture.
3. Turn one shoulder slightly in the direction of the camera.
4. For a powerful and engaging shot, look directly at the lens while keeping the camera at eye level.

To capture an epic selfie, you have to pay close attention to the lighting and background. First, we'll discuss the effects of lighting for the selfie. If you're taking a selfie indoors, the best place to be is facing a window or door where natural light is shining right on your face.

This really brightens up the picture. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more emo, grunge, or rustic kind of a selfie, then experiment with different ways of working with the lighting. For an outdoor selfie, face the sun or artificial lights to make it work.

Now, let's understand how a background can make or break a selfie. For an indoor shot, DO NOT stand in front of a messy bed or room, sink, bathroom, kitchen, trash cans, or any such place where it can be embarrassing. An outdoor shot can be much more appealing, if no one photobombs you. Choose a gorgeous backdrop, and click away.

Not every picture you take is going to be perfect. You might have to tweak it here and there. So, how do you achieve that? Download an app that'll retouch your pictures in a jiffy. Plus, these apps have tons and tons of filters that can alter a selfie drastically. Hide the flaws, and enhance the beauty; in the end, it's all about looking and presenting the best from the lot.

For a refreshing twist, try taking a selfie with your pet. It certainly will be interesting to see what kind of expressions the little munchkin will give. One great thing about selfie is that you don't need to wait for the right time or place. You can instantly reach out for your camera, strike a pose, and get a rocking selfie.

I know we've said that you need to look at the lens, find your angle, and stand in a particular way. But, this can't be done for every selfie you take. It'll be so repetitive and boring; for you and anyone who sees the pictures. So, what are you going to do? Mix it up a little bit.

Try a unique approach for every selfie you take. Think of yourself as a fashion model who has to "communicate" with the camera. Once you get into the groove, you'll be much more confident in trying different poses and expressions.

Relax. Enjoy. Click. These are the three basic rules you need to follow. A selfie is not an activity that needs to be followed according to some guidelines or set rules. It's a means for people to express themselves and be creative. As Rachel Renée Russell said, let your inner dork shine through, because in this world, you can't always follow; there are times when you need to lead too.

Last, but certainly not the least, should you make the duckface or not? I'll leave the decision in your trusting hands. The truth is, if you can pull it off, I'll say go for it. But, but, but ... be advised that not many people are fond of it; so tread softly. Basically, taking a selfie should be fun, and the picture should be interesting enough to grab positive attention. So, grab your cell phone, DSLR, point-and-shoot camera, iPad, or even a Polaroid, and just go nuts.