6 Easy Smartphone Photography Hacks To Slay Your Selfies At Home Even In Poor Lighting

Having stellar selfies is something we all strive to have in this era of social media. But staying in to keep safe during this period means fewer outings, and and such, a lack of photo ops. Taking pictures with half your face covered with a mask is no fun either, so a lot of us have let our Instagram feeds go stagnant for months.

Still, you can make the most of the situation and snap away in your abode. We’ve got some super simple smartphone photography hacks to help you slay your selfies at home - even at night when the lighting ain’t lit.

Read on to learn these easy smartphone photography hacks for night selfies!

#1: Set an edgy neon backdrop with your TV screen

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It’s possible to get neon street-style portraits without stepping out of the house. You’re gonna need to pause Netflix for this one, ‘cause your TV screen will be helping to set the scene. Google a photo of your choice, set it to full screen, and get ready to werk it.

Avoid standing right in front of the television monitor for a frontal shot, as that will only cause the photo to be backlit. Instead, shoot your side profile while leaning as close to the screen as  possible. The end result is an edgy semi-reflective one, which might even add a colourful glow to your face if you get the angle right!

Pro tip: Can’t go wrong with an urban cityscape as your background. We chose one of Tokyo’s city lights for multi-coloured vibrancy.

#2: Use your washing machine for futuristic high-fashion shots

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You don’t have to spend hours sprucing up your home just for that one perfect selfie. Make use of the gems hidden in plain sight - such as your washing machine. Simply place your phone inside and peer in for your Vogue-worthy shots.

The circular shape of the drum, coupled with all the silver metal, will provide a unique futuristic vibe befitting of a high fashion magazine.

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Pro tip: Don’t let all your hair dangle down as you’ll end up resembling a horror movie character. Try leaning your head on your shoulder to trap your locks in place if they keep getting out of control.

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#3: Make your own coloured pop art filters using tape and markers

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Who needs to fiddle with photo editing software when you can make your own filters in any hue you fancy? Colour a strip of clear tape with a marker, stick it over your smartphone camera, and voila - an instant tint.

Pro tip: Stitch photos of various colours in a collage for a fun pop art vibe a la Andy Warhol. 

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#4: Create a vignette using a flashlight and toilet roll

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Don’t fight the darkness; Embrace it. Turn off all the lights, enlist the help of a family member to shine a torch at a wall through an empty toilet paper roll, and you’ll get a “spotlight” of sorts surrounded by a dark vignette. If you’re alone, you can always prop the torch up on a table, shelf, or your bed, and attach your phone to a tripod.

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Experiment with different distances to alter the intensity and shine radius of the torchlight.

#5: Drape fairy lights around you for a dreamy vibe

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Fairy lights have become a hallmark of Pinterest-worthy bedrooms, but they also serve as great  photography props. Drape a strand around you and snap away!

Unlike desk lamps, these tiny, evenly-spaced bursts of light offer good flexibility of placement, helping to illuminate your face sufficiently without stark overexposure.

Pro tip: It can be tough trying to hold the fairy lights in place while standing and handling your selfie cam at the same time. Make things easier by lying down on your bed or sofa. This will give your shots variety, while contributing to an overall dreaminess.

#6: Get a soft faded effect with your phone in a ziploc bag

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Even with all your room lights turned on, it’s tough getting sharp, well-exposed shots with a lack of natural lighting. Save the vivid look for daytime, and go with a soft faded effect instead.

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Our trick? Put your phone in a clear ziploc bag and shoot as per normal. The plastic film will provide a dreamy, ethereal vibe - which also conveniently hides any zits and blemishes.

Pro tip: Everything will appear more muted through the plastic, so wear brighter and heavier makeup than usual to prevent your features from looking washed out.

Get your Super Night Selfie with the new vivo V19 smartphone

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Creativity is key to taking good selfies at home, but having a high quality phone camera certainly helps. For this series of photos, I used the new vivo V19 smartphone, specially made to light up your entire face and surroundings for clear selfies even at night - all while retaining natural colour tones.

Thanks to its dual-front 32MP + 8MP camera, snapping my Super Night Selfies at home was really easy - I didn’t have to use fancy equipment like ring lights, nor rely on photo-enhancing apps to make the colours appear more vivid. This is due to v19’s special Aura Screen Light, which adds a soft glow in dim lighting without the usage of harsh flash.

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Whether you’re having a night out at a bar, a concert, or simply chilling in your abode, vivo V19 will help capture your best moments with utmost sharpness and minimal grain - even in poor lighting. Say goodbye to blurry, low-res selfies and get ready to fill your camera roll with tons of Instagram-ready shots. No edits or filters needed.

vivo V19 retails for $599 at M1, Singtel, and Starhub, as well as Lazada, Shopee, and Qoo10’s authorised retailers. Pick from Gleam Black or Sleek Silver.

[vivo V19 Instagram GIVEAWAY] 

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Attention all night owls! Show us how you ignite your night with a selfie and stand a chance to WIN the latest vivo V19 worth $599! Here’s how:

1. Follow @vivo_singapore on Instagram
2. Post your night selfie (make it public) and use the hashtags #vivoNightSelfie #IgniteYourNight #vivoV19
3. Tag 2 friends in your caption who love nightlife like you do

The most creative entry will win a V19 worth $599. Contest ends 31 July. T&Cs apply.

This post is brought to you by vivo.

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Text by: GirlStyle SG