Tutorial: “How to take self-portraits”, Part II – Focus without a remote and a tripod

While creating this video I was working with about 20 minutes of pictures and short movies. I knew that making one video out of it is going to be way too long, so I’ve used only part of it to make the one I’m sharing today, and the rest of it I’ll use later.

I say it again, achieving a reasonable good focus when taking self-portraits wouldn’t be such an issue if I had a remote, but I don’t have it and that’s why I want to prove and show you that YOU DON’T HAVE TO own one to take good self-portraits.

I know that many people get discouraged when it comes to self-portraits just because they don’t have a tripod or a remote or because they don’t want to deal with all that stuff all together. And I totally understand that.    

Sometimes the best opportunity comes spontaneously and having a camera with you should be the only thing required to take on that opportunity. No tripod unfolding and folding. No looking for the remote in our already cluttered bags…

Nope.

Nope.

Nope.

btw, if you haven’t seen it HERE is PART I of this tutorial.

Have a wonderful day, my friends.

36 responses to “Tutorial: “How to take self-portraits”, Part II – Focus without a remote and a tripod”

  1. This is a wonderful tutorial Ewa! I was very inspired by they way you made everything sound doable and I loooved the music!

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    1. yes, the music is amazing, I love it myself!
      glad you liked the video!

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  2. Ewa, I have always wanted to do this, but I thought we couldn’t do videos on the free wordpress platform? Can you help me with this? Yours was Fantastic!

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    1. Laurie, I am writing you an email right now with the directions!

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        1. ok, you should have it by now! I hope it will answer your question. shoot me an email if you need more help!
          and you’re welcome, it was my pleasure!

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  3. This is brilliant. I completely agree with ‘don’t aim for perfection’ it will only wear you down and make you feel like you just can’t do it. Have fun and be creative! Like you have found the some of my ‘mistakes’ have in fact turned into the best images I have taken.

    Mollyxxx

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    1. Indeed, many of my “mistakes” ended up as my favorites!

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  4. Yes, this little bike is in full uso.Excelente and interesting tutorial, thank you very much.

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  5. Oh you are just so fabulous Ewa, love, love the music in this, just a perfect choice for not taking one’s self too seriously. I just need to get out there and do this, thank you for the little push! xo

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    1. yes Kim. May of us need that little push… but believe me, it is worth it!

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  6. Great photos, especially with your children

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    1. thank you, Gracie. They are not perfect as they were taken in full sun but it actually doesn’t matter to me at this point.

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  7. Very informative. I recently got a new camera that has a Tripod but could not find the directions on setting the Tripod up. It’s nice to know that selfies can be done without one. I’ve tried before but usually don’t get my focus in the right place so I end up with cut off heads etc…guess practice is what is needed. Thanks for doing the video.

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    1. Ida, at the begining of my project I often ended up with cut off head, or legs… but then I would move my body closer to or further away from the camera and compare the effects. it takes practice, you know.
      try to put your camera verticaly not horizontaly. that normally helps, too.

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  8. I love that photo of you with the little one in the photo at the top here, how you’re down at the child’s level, fully engaged and delighting in being present and sharing the moment. Beautiful.

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    1. thank you. it is a cute picture, indeed. one of the many that were taken while not getting the focus right…

      Like

  9. Thank you for visiting my PDPA post, I can see I need a little time to peruse your tutorials, will be back soon!

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    1. thank you for visiting back! 🙂

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  10. I like your videos very much. A lessons for me. Ha de gott.

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  11. This is absolutely brilliant…I had to laugh, because while I was watching this, I was saying out loud, “Perfect…this is perfect.” And then your comment popped up that said “don’t try for perfection.” lol! So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I felt you did a perfect job creatively in making this video. You have such a gift…thank you for making this video and for sharing it. You gave amazing tips…now if only I could feel natural and comfortable in front of a camera. That’s always my challenge!

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    1. Thank you, Sherri.
      At the begining I did not feel comfortable, as well. I felt awkward, actually, that’s why I started taking pictures during my regular activities, like playing with kids, cooking, going for a walk… that way I got more comfortable with my own image and that allowed me to be more and more creative (and comfortable with the camera).

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  12. I rarely use tripod, but you have to. It does not work otherwise. 🙂 Burt sometimes I would like to have a remote control.

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    1. Sometimes there is no other way than to use tripod, you’re right!
      and I would like to have a remote as well, but it is not on my MUST-HAVE list, though.

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  13. That sounds like a good idea, your self portraits are always so interesting too 🙂

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  14. You did a great job on this, and out of all the people that i know, you have had lots of practice with this from your project last year! Very helpful

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    1. yes, this project have given me some experience and knowledge I am now enjoying sharing with people 🙂

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  15. You are ingenious and determined. And now you have a great collection of images because you allowed your self room to be yourself. Thanks for sharing. xo teri

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    1. thank you!
      and yes, I do cherish all the picture I had taken since last year. It’s been a great journey and an amazing experience!

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  16. You certainly are the expert in this subject. I am always amazed by your ability to get the shots you do when working on selfies.

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  17. Thanks for the tips — and reminders —
    Hugs

    Like

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