Skip to main content
TechRadar TechRadar the technology experts
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
RSS
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Phones
    • Popular Phone Brands
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
    • Operating Systems
      • Android
      • iOS
    • More from Phones
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • MacBooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
    • PCs
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
    • Popular Computing Brands
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
    • More from Computing
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • TV Insights
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
    • More for your TV
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Apple TV+
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount+
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
    • Watch Brands
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
    • Wellbeing
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
    • More from Fitness
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • Headphones
      • Earbuds & AirPods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
    • More from Audio
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • Camera Types
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
    • Camera Brands
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
    • More from Cameras
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
    • Home Brands
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
    • More from Home
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • By Type
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
    • Popular Brands
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
  • Phones
    • View Phones
      • iPhone
      • Samsung Galaxy
      • Google Pixel
      • Nothing
      • Motorola
      • OnePlus
      • Xiaomi
      • Honor
      • Oppo
      • Huawei
      • Android
      • iOS
      • Network Carriers
      • Phone Accessories
      • Phone Reviews
      • Phone Buying Guides
      • Phone Deals
      • Phone News
  • Computing
    • View Computing
    • Laptops
      • View Laptops
      • Chromebooks
      • MacBooks
      • Windows Laptops
      • Gaming Laptops
      • Desktop PCs
      • Macs
      • Gaming PCs
    • Software
      • View Software
      • Windows
      • macOS
    • Components
      • View Components
      • CPUs
      • GPUs
      • Storage
      • Nvidia
      • Intel
    • Internet
      • View Internet
      • Websites & Apps
      • Wi-Fi & Broadband
      • Social Media
      • Wordle
    • Security
      • View Security
      • Antivirus
      • Cyber Security
    • Tablets
      • View Tablets
      • eReaders
      • iPad
    • VR & AR
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Monitors
      • Keyboards
      • Webcams
      • Mice
      • Dell
      • HP
      • Lenovo
      • Acer
      • Computing Reviews
      • Computing Buying Guides
      • Computing Deals
      • Computing News
  • AI
    • View AI
    • AI Platforms & Assistants
    • OpenAI
    • ChatGPT
    • Gemini
    • Apple Intelligence
    • Claude
  • TVs
    • View TVs
      • TV Reviews
      • TV Buying Guides
      • TV Deals
      • TV News
      • Home Theatre
      • Soundbars
      • Streaming Devices
      • Projectors
      • Blu-ray
  • Streaming
    • View Streaming
    • Entertainment
    • Netflix
    • Prime Video
    • Disney+
    • Apple TV+
    • HBO Max
    • Hulu
    • Paramount+
    • How to Watch
  • Fitness
    • View Fitness
      • Smartwatches
      • Fitness Trackers
      • Exercise Equipment
      • Fitness Headphones
      • Fitness Apps
      • Smart Rings
      • Apple Watch
      • Fitbit
      • Garmin
      • Google Pixel Watch
      • Samsung Galaxy Watch
      • Sleep
      • Oral Health
      • Fitness News
      • Fitness Reviews
      • Fitness Buying Guides
      • Fitness Deals
  • Audio
    • View Audio
    • Headphones
      • View Headphones
      • Earbuds & AirPods
      • Wireless Headphones
    • Speakers
      • View Speakers
      • Wireless Speakers
      • Sonos
    • Hi-Fi
      • View Hi-Fi
      • Turntables
      • Portable Players
      • DACs
    • Audio Streaming
      • View Audio Streaming
      • Spotify
      • Apple Music
      • Audio News
      • Audio Reviews
      • Audio Buying Guides
      • Audio Deals
  • VPN
    • View VPN
    • VPN Services
    • VPN Security
    • ExpressVPN
    • NordVPN
  • Cameras
    • View Cameras
      • Mirrorless
      • DSLRs
      • Compact
      • Action
      • Video
      • Drones
      • 360 Cameras
      • Dash Cams
      • Canon
      • DJI
      • Fujifilm
      • Nikon
      • GoPro
      • Insta360
      • Camera Accessories
      • Camera Lenses
      • Camera Reviews
      • Camera Buying Guides
      • Camera Deals
      • Camera News
      • Photography
  • Home
    • View Home
    • Smart Home
      • View Smart Home
      • Home Security
      • Smart Speakers
      • Smart Lights
      • Smart Scales
      • Smart Thermostats
      • Amazon Echo
    • Small Appliances
      • View Small Appliances
      • Air Fryers
      • Air Quality
      • Coffee Machines
      • Hair Care
      • Vacuums
      • Robot Vacuums
      • Dyson
      • Philips Hue
      • Ring
      • Shark
      • Ninja
      • Home Reviews
      • Home Buying Guides
      • Home Deals
      • Home News
  • EVs
  • Browse
    • View Browse
      • News
      • Best
      • Reviews
      • Deals
      • Versus
      • How To
      • Opinion
      • Coupons
      • Samsung
      • Sony
      • Microsoft
      • Apple
Tech Radar Pro Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Apple event
  • Best VPN
  • Back to school
  • ChatGPT
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best web hosting
  • Best laptop
Don't miss these
Tim holding a Leica
Photography I'm a photographer and went screen-free for a week – here's how it changed my photography experience
an image of a woman holding the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Google Pixel Phones Hate your smartphone photos? Google’s Pixel 10 could have your back – here’s how
Portrait of a cat, Olympus EM-5 Mark II sample images
Mirrorless Cameras I ditched my pricey full-frame camera and downsized for a year – here are 5 lessons learned
The OM System OM-1 camera on a wooden table
Mirrorless Cameras Photography and hiking are my idea of a dream weekend – this is the perfect camera system I take into the great outdoors
The Canon EOS R10 camera sitting on a wooden bench
Cameras The best camera for beginners 2025, all rigorously tested
Nikon Z6 III camera in the hand, front on
Cameras The best camera for photography 2025
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 camera in the hand (left), Sony ZV-E1 shooting a selfie with its screen flipped out (right)
Video Cameras The best cameras for vlogging 2025 following in-depth testing
An image of the Panasonic Lumix ZS99 / TZ99
Cameras The best point and shoot camera 2025, all tested thoroughly
The Canon EOS R10 camera sitting on a wooden bench
Mirrorless Cameras The best beginner mirrorless camera for 2025
Apple iPhone 16 Camera Control
iPhone If you give it a chance, there's a lot to love about the iPhone's Camera Control button
PolarPro LightLeak Lens, 28mm, attached to a Nikon mirrorless camera
Camera Lenses Fabulous flare, light leak and dreamy soft edges – I tested PolarPro's unique lenses, and they’re so bad they’re good
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra camera
Samsung Galaxy Phones 9 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra camera features you should be using (but probably aren't)
A camera next to two infrared photos of a train station and tree
Cameras I turned my Fujifilm X-T3 into an infrared wonder – and it's the best photography decision I've made in years
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Review
Phones The iPhone’s Camera Control button is too fiddly, but this iOS 26 fix could make it more popular
Nikon D7500
DSLRs Best beginner DSLR cameras for 2025, based on in-depth testing
  1. Cameras
  2. DSLRs

How to take selfies with a DSLR

How Tos
By PhotoPlus published 5 October 2015

Ditch your smartphone to take amazing selfie shots

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Shoot and edit a self-portrait

Shoot and edit a self-portrait

The 'selfie' has become a worldwide phenomenon in the past couple of years thanks to the ubiquity of camera phones and social media – and everyone's getting in on the act, from pop stars to presidents.

Just take a shot with a forward-facing camera that automatically focuses from arm's length, add a couple of garish-looking filters, and you've got yourself a fun instant photo that you can share with friends and family!

But selfies can be much more than shaky snaps taken with your smartphone – they can be carefully composed and professional-looking self-portraits taken with your DSLR.

Stylish selfies

Since the earliest days of photography, self-portraits have been considered serious pieces of work, and a way for photographers to improve their skills and experiment with creative techniques, and this project we'll show you how you can compose, shoot and edit your own stylish selfie.

Shooting a selfie with your DSLR is an excellent way to hone your outdoor flash skills. All you need is your camera, a kit lens, a flashgun and a tripod. Because you'll be in front of the camera, a remote shutter release – ideally a wireless one – will make focusing and shooting a great deal easier; if you don't have a remote, you can use the 10-sec self-timer mode on your camera.

Once you've got your portrait, we'll show you how to edit it in Elements, shifting the colours and adding a vignette to recreate the look of popular Instagram-style filters.

Page 1 of 11
Page 1 of 11
Set up your camera

Set up your camera

Choose an outdoor location such as a park or garden that provides a colourful backdrop. Position a chair in front of the backdrop with the sun behind, so it acts as a backlight.

Place your camera on a tripod at a height slightly higher than your eye level when you're sitting in the chair, and tilt the camera down: this is a more flattering angle for portraits.

Page 2 of 11
Page 2 of 11
Camera settings

Camera settings

Set your camera to Manual mode for full control over the aperture and shutter speed, and set your shutter speed to the maximum flash sync speed; this is usually 1/200 sec or 1/250 sec.

Set a mid-range aperture of around f/8, and take a test shot to expose for the background – if it looks a bit dark set a wider aperture. Keep your ISO at 100 for top-quality shots.

Page 3 of 11
Page 3 of 11
Fill flash

Fill flash

It may seem odd to use flash on a bright sunny day, but it isn't used to illuminate the whole scene – it simply reduces the contrast in your face by filling in shadows for a flawless finish without overexposing the bright background, and it also creates nice catch lights in the eyes.

The sunlight behind acts as a rim light, lifting the subject out of their background and adding an attractive glow to the edges of their hair and body.

Page 4 of 11
Page 4 of 11
Flash settings

Flash settings

Attach your flashgun to the hot shoe of your camera, set it to Manual mode if that option is available, and dial in the lowest flash power; you can then fire off some test shots, and increase the flash power if required.

Our flashgun has a diffuser built in, so we can reduce the harshness of the flash to create a softer and more flattering look.

Page 5 of 11
Page 5 of 11
Composition

Composition

Switch to Live View mode, and work out a rough composition based on where your head and shoulders will be when you're sitting down.

Ideally you want to be positioned slightly to the left or right of the frame, and angle your head and shoulders so you're looking into the frame.

Having a friend step in for you will make things easier; alternatively you can take a few test shots and adjust the composition as required.

Page 6 of 11
Page 6 of 11
Shoot hands-free

Shoot hands-free

The easiest way to shoot a self-portrait is with a remote shutter release: half-press the button to pre-focus, and then fully press it to take a shot.

You can also use the 10-sec self-timer mode on your DSLR, but if you do this you'll need to focus manually on where you'll be sitting – again, use a stand-in, or a bag or other object.

Page 7 of 11
Page 7 of 11
Cloning and colour

Cloning and colour

Click Open to open the image in Elements. Take the Clone Stamp tool, and clone out the edges of the chair, Alt-clicking to sample background detail. Add a Solid Colour fill layer via the Adjustment Layer menu.

In the Colour Picker, enter #f4e0bd in the hex field and click OK. Change this layer's blending mode to Multiply.

Page 8 of 11
Page 8 of 11
Adjust colour and contrast

Adjust colour and contrast

Add a Levels adjustment layer. Select Red from the Channel menu, and set the shadows Output Levels slider (the lower-left slider) to 30 to add a red tint to the shadows.

Next select the Green channel and set the same slider to 10 to add green, then select the Blue channel and set the slider to 60 to add blue. Select the RGB channel and set Shadows to 25, Midtones to 1.18 and Highlights to 245.

Add a Brightness/Contrast layer, and set Brightness to 33 and Contrast to 48.

Page 9 of 11
Page 9 of 11
Blur the background

Blur the background

Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+E to create a merged layer. Go to Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur and set Radius to 12 pixels.

Take the Elliptical Marquee tool, hold down Shift and Alt, and draw a circle out over the face. With the selection active, Alt-click the Layer Mask button to mask the blur from the face, then blend in the edges of the mask with a soft black brush.

Add a new layer and rename it 'vignette'. Select the Elliptical Marquee tool.

Page 10 of 11
Page 10 of 11
Add a vignette

Add a vignette

Click and drag to draw an ellipse that fills the frame. Go to Select > Inverse, then go to Select > Feather and set Radius to 200 pixels.

Go to Edit > Fill Selection, choose Black and click OK. Press Ctrl+D to deselect, the set the layer's blending mode to Overlay and reduce its opacity to 40%.

Page 11 of 11
Page 11 of 11
PhotoPlus
See more Camera How Tos
Read more
Tim holding a Leica
I'm a photographer and went screen-free for a week – here's how it changed my photography experience
 
 
an image of a woman holding the Google Pixel 10 Pro
Hate your smartphone photos? Google’s Pixel 10 could have your back – here’s how
 
 
Portrait of a cat, Olympus EM-5 Mark II sample images
I ditched my pricey full-frame camera and downsized for a year – here are 5 lessons learned
 
 
The OM System OM-1 camera on a wooden table
Photography and hiking are my idea of a dream weekend – this is the perfect camera system I take into the great outdoors
 
 
The Canon EOS R10 camera sitting on a wooden bench
The best camera for beginners 2025, all rigorously tested
 
 
Nikon Z6 III camera in the hand, front on
The best camera for photography 2025
 
 
Latest in DSLRs
Nikon Df DSLR camera on a wooden surface by large window, with dusk light
Forget Fujifilm, I've retested 2013's Nikon Df DSLR and it's the ultimate retro camera for these 6 reasons
 
 
Monochrome image of a distant wind farm alongside a Canon DSLR camera in the hand with black background
You don't really need a new camera – a $200,000 photo prize was just won with this old Canon DSLR
 
 
Photographer holding the Nikon D800 DSLR camera up to their eye while leaning on a tree trunk surrounded by bluebells
I used my DSLR for the first time in years since switching to mirrorless – here are four things I learned
 
 
Two cameras sitting next to each other on a wooden table
If DSLR cameras are dead, why are they still so popular? Here are 5 reasons
 
 
Prouct photo of the Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome with a 16-50mm f/2.8 attached
Pentax K-3 Mark III Monochrome review: one love
 
 
Canon EOS 4000D with 18-55mm lens attached on red background beside a lowest ever price text
This Canon beginner DSLR is so cheap right now it might even tempt you away from mirrorless
 
 
Latest in How Tos
Defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts by roaring at the crowd after winning a tennis match earlier this year.
How to watch Sinner vs Alcaraz online: live stream US Open 2025 final for FREE
 
 
asprit Bumrah of India celebrates after dismissing Azam Khan of Pakistan during the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between India and Pakistan at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on June 09, 2024 in New York, New York.
How to watch Asia Cup 2025 online: cricket live streams, fixture list, TV guide
 
 
Mariah Carey performs live on stage ahead of the
How to watch MTV Video Music Awards 2025 online: stream Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter from anywhere today
 
 
Cowboys vs Eagles
How to watch NFL 2025: free live streams and TV channels, Week 2
 
 
ChatGPT on mobile
I finally got ChatGPT to stop asking 'Want me to…' at the end of every response – here’s how to do it
 
 
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates with the winners trophy after defeating Jessica Pegula of the United States to win the Women's Singles Final on Day Thirteen of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.
How to watch US Open 2025: live stream tennis online for FREE, order of play, what TV channel, Day 15, Sinner vs Alcaraz men's final
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    The Amazon Fire TV soundbar is a surprisingly good upgrade to your TV speakers – and it's now down to $99
  2. 2
    AMD drops hint that it's planning a big GPU surprise for Nvidia soon, though I'm not fully convinced it's the rumored RX 9080 XT
  3. 3
    The end of range anxiety? Mercedes' solid-state battery tech just drove 749 miles without a stop
  4. 4
    Wow, what a surprise: 94% of ITDMs say they struggle with cloud costs, and I bet that AI will make things even worse
  5. 5
    'No asterisk generation' : AMD promises its MI450 AI GPU will be faster than ANYTHING Nvidia has, yes, that includes even Rubin Ultra

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...