Self-Portrait Secrets

Posted by on

 Here is a complete guide on how I created self-portraits using a Nikon Z5!
Nikon Z5 Back View

Step 1: Set Up Your Camera

Before anything else, make sure your Nikon Z5 is ready:

  • Self Timer: Open the Menu and scroll down to the Custom Settings (the pencil icon). Once here you will click on C Timers/AE Lock ---> c2: Self Timer. Once you get to this point, you will select the self-timer delay, number of shots, and interval between shots. 
    • In this case I put the delay at 10 seconds, set it to 3 shots, and .05 seconds intervals.
    • You then have to go to the I button on the camera, click the Release mode and hit the 10s icon


  • Tripod: Use a tripod to keep the camera steady. 
  • Camera Settings: This part depends on your lighting and what you are going for in the shot.
    • However, for me, my ISO was at 100, Aperture was at 4.0, and Shutter Speed was at 1/250

Step 2: Setting Up The Shot

Compose your lighting and finalize what you want the shot to be:
  • Lighting: Decide if you want to photograph inside or outside, using artificial lighting (continuous lighting or flash) or natural (the sun).
    • For my photographs, I chose to be outside on my front porch using the sun as it was setting as my natural lighting

My front porch
  • Framing: Figure out how you want the self-portrait by asking yourself:
    • Do you want just your face to be shown? 
    • Or do you want a full body? 
    • What poses will you do? 
    • Will you use props?

Step 3: Posing and Photograph

Try different poses and take as many photos as you can:
  • Posing: Try different poses and facial expressions in order to figure out what you'd like the final image to look. It takes practice to try and look natural so just do what feels the most normal to you! Experiment with your poses and try something you don't think you'd like as you never know what photograph in the end you'll prefer. Try props or different outfits to express what you want in your image.
  • Photograph: Click the shutter button as many times as you please. Change your settings to try different apertures or shutter speeds and move the camera around to get different angles.



In all, self-portraits can be intimating if you aren't familiar with creating them. But with this easy guide, it can help you walk through the process of creating self-portraits with a Nikon Z5. The more you create them, the easier it will become. 

Comments

Post a Comment