We've had an impromtu theme pop up this past week on the Silly Girls United facebook page that involve Sugar Skull-esque makeup and costume and self portraits and it's been so fun to see everyone join in. Hopefully there are more who will.
Here are some tips on how to take a self portrait:
1. Relax. I sometimes feel self concious of myself when I'm taking a self portrait but really, there's no-one else there and no-one has to see the pictures you take that don't go as planned. Loosen up. You can be a huge dork and no-one will know!
2. Natural light is your friend. Stand by a window with the blinds up. Play with the light.
3. Hold the camera out at arms length and press the button. This way you can play with angles and positioning. This is best for shoulders and up shots. I like to hold the camera up over my head and pointed down. When I take shoulders and up pictures I'm often wearing pj's on the bottom ;) Don't be scared to look at the camera, use your reflection in the lens as a mirror even. AND don't be scared to get close.
4. Prop the camera on something and set the timer if you're wearing a wicked outfit. I have a remote clicker I use with my camera.
5. The wonderful thing about digital is that you can look at the pictures once you've taken them. Do that and laugh. Just have fun. Create a character for yourself and act it out whilst snapping pictures. Look at the other pictures posted for tips on posing and framing.
6. Look around you for props. In my pictures I used a sheet of gift wrap and stuck it with magnets to the window frame. You have loads of things in your house you can use. Work with what you have. Wear things ways they aren't meant to be worn. Sometimes I wear tops backwards - nobody sees the back in the pictures. Megan once wrapped blankets around us and pinned them with clothes pegs to make prairie skirts. It felt weird but it looked perfect, you couldn't see the pegs and pins.
7. Editing, I've said it once and I'll say it again. You don't need expensive editing software or a degree in order to process pictures. Use free ones like picnik to make some amazing pictures.
I am really proud of everyone who takes part in these. They often start off feeling uncomfortable but it always ends up so much fun and it gets easier with practise. The creativity, attitudes and friendships are wonderful to witness.The key is to feel comfortable with yourself and to just have fun.
Here's some make-up tips from Stephanie.
Some photography tips from Alecia.
And a pep talk from Chiemi.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Themes: November and December 2010
Let's end the year all festive-like and share the joy of SHEnanigans with all the people you visit this holiday season.
November: Instead of a theme I want to see SHEnanigans worthy of the good old American tradition - HOLIDAY CARDS! Dress up with your group for your annual family portrait. If you want to you can add your family letter too so we can all see how well you've all done this year. My hope is that your pictures will be worthy of Awkward Family Photos. Have fun with this!
For my non-American's who might not be familiar with this tradition you can see some of the best of the worst here. You can also google image search "ugly Christmas sweaters" for some more inspiration. Oh and see this as an example. Haha, oh I love this!
December: I know everyone is likely to be traveling but this will be a really fun theme, just do your best and use it as an oportunity to share the fun. The theme is The 12 Days of Christmas as in...
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
I would normally give you each one of these as your theme but with traveling and such I'm thinking it will be easier to let you each do whatever one you fancy as you'll need to make do with different/a lack of props and such.
I'm giving them to you in advance so you can either do them with your home groups or your away groups - or both. It's all just for fun, as usual.
November: Instead of a theme I want to see SHEnanigans worthy of the good old American tradition - HOLIDAY CARDS! Dress up with your group for your annual family portrait. If you want to you can add your family letter too so we can all see how well you've all done this year. My hope is that your pictures will be worthy of Awkward Family Photos. Have fun with this!
For my non-American's who might not be familiar with this tradition you can see some of the best of the worst here. You can also google image search "ugly Christmas sweaters" for some more inspiration. Oh and see this as an example. Haha, oh I love this!
December: I know everyone is likely to be traveling but this will be a really fun theme, just do your best and use it as an oportunity to share the fun. The theme is The 12 Days of Christmas as in...
Twelve drummers drumming,
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!
I would normally give you each one of these as your theme but with traveling and such I'm thinking it will be easier to let you each do whatever one you fancy as you'll need to make do with different/a lack of props and such.
I'm giving them to you in advance so you can either do them with your home groups or your away groups - or both. It's all just for fun, as usual.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
2011
2010 has been big for Silly SHEnanigans. It's been great to watch this grow and I'm proud of everyone who's joined in so far. I look forward to seeing new faces join in through 2011.
Here's the list of themes I have for 2011. There's a bit of time to make some changes, if you feel super strongly about getting a certain theme put on the calender let me know and I'll do what I can. I love hearing all your opinions and suggestions and appreciate the input.
January - Fairy Tales*
February - Harajuku
March - Seasons*
April - Jailbirds
May - Children's books
June - "When I grow up I want to be a..."
July - Circus/Freak Shows
August - Time travelers/Adventurers
September - 7 Deadly Sins*
October - icons & heroines
November - Decades*
December - Masquerade
* - by assignment/suggestion
Here's the list of themes I have for 2011. There's a bit of time to make some changes, if you feel super strongly about getting a certain theme put on the calender let me know and I'll do what I can. I love hearing all your opinions and suggestions and appreciate the input.
January - Fairy Tales*
February - Harajuku
March - Seasons*
April - Jailbirds
May - Children's books
June - "When I grow up I want to be a..."
July - Circus/Freak Shows
August - Time travelers/Adventurers
September - 7 Deadly Sins*
October - icons & heroines
November - Decades*
December - Masquerade
* - by assignment/suggestion
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