How come I can not take a decent picture of myself with a digital camera?

Question

I can take great pictures of myself with a cell phone and I always look great when other people take pictures of me (including when they are using MY camera). But whenever I try to use my own digital camera to take a picture of myself, they all turn out AWFUL. What am I doing wrong? I thought that it was the lighting... but I am not too sure. Can anyone give me tips or am I just digitally handicap?

I should also add that I am able to take great pictures of myself using DISPOSABLE cameras that you buy at Wallgreens/CVS/etc. Maybe it is just my camera?

I do turn the flash off; but I have a shaky hand so the whole picture gets blurry. LOL.

Here is an example of my poor attempt to take a decent photo (ignore the ****** up hair, some beautician fried my hair that day).

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/9995/blurryij2.jpg

And this is the clearest that I ever got with my camera. LOL.

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/513/heartsau4.jpg

Prozio L, I think that may be the reason! I can close my cell phone and I can see how I look before I take the picture. But with this camera, I can't see ****! And everything always turns out orange @.@

Answer 1

From the first photo you uploaded, i can tell that you are out of focus. This can happen when you are too near the camera lens (and your camera lens is not capable of taking shots of subjects which are too near) or as you mention it could be due to camera-shake.

Two things i will suggest.

1. Focus your camera before taking a shot. Most cameras if you press the shutter button half-way will auto-focus automatically for you. Practice this technique before trying to self-take again.

2. Use your camera's multi-burst function, sometimes denoted by an icon which looks like "photos placed one behind the other". This allows you to take a few shots in sequence while holding on to the button, and i find that out of the lot there will usually be at least one "perfect" shot. In lower lighting, and if your camera function allows it, just set a slower shutter speed.

If you are unsure about these technical terms, either research them online or go back to the shop you bought the camera from or ask a friend to show you how to activate the multi-burst mode or how to focus your camera lens.

This is my personal technique to ensure that waiters/waitresses take the perfect photo for my table without using a flash, so try it!

If all else fails get a tripod, even the small ones can come in handy sometimes!

Good luck!

Answer 2

I had that same problem. I look good with other people's cameras and the cheap ones, but not my digital camera. Then, my brother told me to turn the flash off and I now look great. I don't know if you tried that.

Answer 3

Take the initiative and set camera on tripod or something steady like a table, look through it, see where you'll be sitting ,focus in that area, set timer for say 10 seconds and you'll do very well. Don't fault your camera for blurry photos.

Answer 4

You're probably too close. Try using the Portrait setting (persons head) or flower setting.

To minimize shake try using the self timer. Remember to press the button slowly so the auto focus fully engages.

Answer 5

The flash on you camera is brighter than the one on your phone,so that could be a reason!Try setting the timer on your camera and move a little distance back until you get it right!!

Answer 6

Digital cameras give FAR more detail than a disposable or camera phone. You're an attractive blurry girl.

Answer 7

get a canon a740 ... it has swivel screen so u can take your best self portrait and it'll turn out the exact way you'd like it to be.

Answer 8

maybe your just too picky