Maybe you’re with friends and family, or maybe you’ve found yourself in unique surroundings that you want yourself to be a part of, or maybe you’re just feeling particularly good – and you think “I should take a selfie.” Selfies or cell-phone camera self-portraits are becoming a ubiquitous part of life as technology has changed the way we capture and share memories. Not every selfie is worthy of social media, but there are some ways to enhance your selfies – starting with the most important part – your smile.
Great Teeth
Yes, the start of the perfect selfie smile is beautiful teeth created by great dental hygiene. Obviously if your teeth are stained or chipped or otherwise not completely aesthetically pleasing that’s going to affect the quality of your smile. Even worse, it may cause you to be too embarrassed to smile, even for a selfie. A dentist can correct any cosmetic issues and make sure your teeth and gums are healthy.
The Right Smile
Be as natural as you can be when smiling. Fake smiles are no good as genuine smiles are always best and smiles that are too big can scrunch up your features in unflattering ways. Use a relaxed smile, with your mouth open slightly and your lower lip matching the curve of your upper teeth to maximize the appeal.
A Little Photography Knowledge
A little knowledge of how to take a photo can help as well. The most important part of any photo is light – while your camera will do its level best to compensate low light won’t do you any favours, and even bright sunlight can create a bleached appearance. When possible aim for a shaded area on a sunny day or if indoors, an area right by a window.
In regards to photographic composition there are few things to remember – the first and most important is the rule of thirds – you want your eye line to be one third down from the top of the frame and a little off to one side – being in the middle of the frame makes it look like a yearbook photo. Otherwise, do things that will spice your selfie up – play with angles, use different locations, dress up, or use the timer and take a selfie from a distance.
However you want to take a selfie, a big beautiful smile of healthy teeth is always the central feature. If you need help getting your smile selfie-ready, contact us at Pickering Square Dental, and we’ll be happy to go through your options.