I may be the only person on earth that never knew this, and if so, I have a ton of people to yell at! Like most people, I love the self-portrait. You know the one, where you are doing a big ol’ cheese for no one but yourself and take a photo and retake it until you are satisfied with it, then post it to Facebook, Twitter or in an mms to someone.
Well, I have always struggled with taking self-portraits using my Smartphone. I would think I know where the button is and then end up only capturing my chin, then go the opposite direction and only capture my forehead. (Maybe it should have been a clue to just stop taking pictures of myself, but that would be way too easy!) So I learned something new today and can’t imagine I’m the only one that did not know this piece of valuable information. When you go to take a self-portrait, press and hold, the key word is hold, the button down that captures the picture. It actually doesn’t take the picture until you release your hold! Uh -huh! Go ahead…try it now!
So, you can look at your device, get your finger in the right spot by placing it on the capture button and holding it down, turn your device and release when you are ready Bam! The picture has been captured. Genius, I tell ya! And I thought I knew a ton about the Smartphone.
Friday night, just to name one time, I carried two devices because I can’t leave home without my Smartphone, but also needed my Blackberry to capture self-portraits of me and my girlfriends. My life just got simpler as I continue to stay calm, cool and connected (or so I think on the cool part). Happy photo-taking!
Felicia says:
February 25, 2010 at 6:58 am
I know what you mean! lol My self-portraits NEVER turn out right and it always seems to take the picture as soon as I move the phone. Grrr!! This is a great bit of information to know-thanks so much for sharing!
Robyn's Online World says:
February 25, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Many phones also have a little “mirror” type dot next to the lens on the back. You can look at that to see what your camera shot is before taking the pick. Again, this isn’t on all phones, but many have it. My son was quite pleased when he found out his phone had it.
MrsIntriguing1 says:
February 25, 2010 at 4:17 pm
I hate taking self portraits anyways. I abolutely abhor snapping multiple pictures over and over until I get it right.Maybe with this new insight picture taking won’t be such a tedious process when using your methodical tip. Awesomery!!
Dana says:
February 25, 2010 at 4:18 pm
Thanks so much for the tip. My husband has a smartphone…I do not so, trying to use his is sometimes frustrating. I need one of my own I guess.
Amanda says:
February 25, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Thank you so much I am always having such a hard time taking pictures as well!
Maricris of Zen MamaVentures says:
February 25, 2010 at 9:00 pm
I’m a big fan of Smartphones. I love taking pictures with my Nokia N95. I don’t leave home without it not just because it’s my phone but also because I use the camera a lot. 5MP works great!
My3Sons33 says:
February 25, 2010 at 9:45 pm
I didn’t know that you could hold the button down without taking the pic. And Robyn, thanks for the mirror tip. Just checked – I do have that on my phone!
Heather S says:
February 26, 2010 at 11:45 am
I have a Blackberry and I struggle with this. Thanks for the tips.
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy says:
February 26, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I had no idea and I take pics all of the time with my Smartphone.
Tickled Pink Twice says:
February 26, 2010 at 1:34 pm
My and self portraits are awful. Cell phone photo or not. I’m not too bad on my subjects!
Marianna says:
February 26, 2010 at 1:34 pm
don’t feel bad – you’re not teh only person! I didn’t know that either lol
kyden says:
March 3, 2010 at 11:34 am
thanks for the tip! it worked! and to think that they sell apps that turn your entire screen into a “button” for exactly this purpose.