A lot of people are joining online communities such as MySpace, Facebook, etc. It's really quite tragic because they mostly serve as vacuums of your time, much like blogs. However, I understand that for some, this is a way of life, a hobby, a way to meet people, or just an unhealthy obsession.

Regardless, something must be done about the horrible photos posted on these time wasters. I know that many of you aren't professional photographers and don't care about the aesthetics of a photo, but the ability to take a good photograph is something that can be used for the rest of your life, be it commemorating a family reunion or road trip, taking a portrait of a friend, or even taking a passport photo. Below are a few tips on how to take a good photo of yourself.

The number one key to success is knowing how to operate your camera. Know where the flash is, know where the timer is, etc. And yes, knowing how to operate your camera does require that you read the manual. There are very few cases that reading the manual is not beneficial. (If you've lost your ever-so-valuable manual, many manufacturers have them available for download or viewing online. You can also request them via snail mail.) And don't tell me that you "just don't have time;" read it while you're on the toilet, read it while you're on the bus, read it while you walk your dog, or read it instead of idling your time on an Internet addiction.

Alright, let's get started. Below are four of the best ways to acquire a good photo for your web page.

FOUR WAYS TO TAKE A PHOTO OF YOURSELF

OPTION 1

Use an old photo. Pull out your box (or file folder) of photos and take a look through them. If you find something amazing, scan it in and use it as your picture. (Some cameras have a close-up function which allows your camera to be used like a scanner. Just be sure to take the photo from far enough away to optimize the camera’s focus. Also be sure that there isn't a reflection in the image since some prints have a glossy finish.) On the other end of the spectrum, I've seen scanners used like cameras. Oh, and yes, you will require a camera or scanner (or a friend with a camera or scanner) to do this.

OPTION 2

Have a friend, room-mate, or family member take your photo. Okay, so they may not have read the excellent advice given on this web-page about taking photos, but they can still get the job done if you ever-so-kindly give them instruction. It is also advised that you take several photos. (Since most of you use digital cameras, it's virtually free.) Depending on how photogenic (or picky) you are, it can take up to 25 pictures to find a good one, so find someone with patience to take your pictures. Generally I would recommend taking at least seven to get a good photo without feeling too vain or wearing out anyone's patience.

OPTION 3

Use a timer. Don't like other people taking your picture? Don't have any friends to take your picture? Buy yourself a tripod and optimize your camera's TIMER function. (Again, consult the manual.) Just set up a tripod, frame the photo with yourself in it. (This may take a few extra shots.) If you don't have a tripod, which are available at most stores that carry cameras for under $30, you can also use a flat surface, such as a dresser, desk, table, or chair. This just makes things a little more difficult and usually eliminates the possibility of a (superior) vertical shot. Good luck!

OPTION 4

Take the photo yourself. This is the simplest solution; just point the shutter/lens towards yourself and click! Some cameras even have nifty flip-face viewfinders that make this even easier. However, if you don't have one of those and you’re having trouble framing yourself in the shot, use a mirror. I DON’T MEAN SHOOT INTO THE MIRROR, but instead point your viewfinder (located at the back of the camera) at the mirror and then look at the viewfinder through the mirror. This action can be seen in Diagram 1 on the right. If you've done this properly, you should see something similar to Diagram 2 as you look in the mirror.

Now that we've covered the basics of taking a photo of yourself, let us move on to ways of making your photo look better.

First, let me confront the most frequently made mistake when taking photos of one's self: NEVER HAVE YOUR CAMERA IN THE PHOTO UNLESS IT IS BEING USED AS A PROP OR GAG! Nothing says "amateur," "n00b," "I'm a doofus," or "(slander of your choice)," than the camera that is shooting the photo actually being in the photo. Seriously, it looks horrible. You saw the title illustration, right? Yeah, it's like that.

MORE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR PHOTOS LOOK AWESOME

ANGLES

Angles are important to creating a mood or aesthetic to a photo. On the right, Diagram 1 illustrates an above view. In portrait shots, this usually makes the person look skinnier and also gives an awesome artsy look. Diagram 2 illustrates the straight-on view, which is fairly neutral but can range from mug shot to glamour shot, depending on your pose. Diagram 3 illustrates the below view, which is not usually flattering and can also look very ominous. (It usually reveals double chins and nostrils. Add lighting from below for a creepy or ominous effect.)

Beside these axial angles, one must also account for the position of the camera; horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Horizontal, AKA "landscape," shots are traditionally used for group photos, landscapes, or objects that are horizontally long, such as people lying down. On the other hand, vertical, AKA "portrait," photos are used more for individual shots, artsy shots, and vertically significant objects. Other positions include tilted or diagonal angles, which can be used vertically or horizontally but often implies imbalance.

I personally recommend a vertical (or "portrait") position of the camera with an above view.

LIGHTING

Lighting is one of the most important factors of making a professional-looking photo. What makes this photo of a dirty floor (lower right) so interesting? Nothing but the lighting. Lighting is usually best when it is natural light, meaning sunlight. Other light sources, such as a flash or a lamp, can also look good but require more attention and effort. If you have to use lamps, position them above and to the side of the subject to imitate natural light.

The brightness of the light source can also affect the detail of the photo; too much light gives a washed-out image whereas not enough can cause the image to look blurry. Avoid the use of a flash whenever possible. (To turn off your flash, consult your more-than-awesome manual.) Your flash usually kicks in to compensate when there is not enough light for a fast shutter speed. When you turn off the flash, the shutter speed will be slower and your picture can turn out blurry. (You may need to use a tripod or flat surface to steady it.) And as much as I hate to say it, if worst comes to worst, a clear but washed-out photo is usually preferable to a blurry one.

Like photos, lighting changes the mood with the angle it shines. Lighting from directly above or below can wash out facial features such as eyes and lips and makes the subject look haunting. If the lighting is to the side, it will look more dramatic and stunning. If it is dead-on, it will look neutral or washed-out. If the lighting is from behind your subject, you will get a silhouette of the subject.

Avoid shadows. Unless you're being artsy, unnatural or harsh shadows on or behind the subject look undesirable. The shadow of a tree branch on you face or the shadow from a flash on the wall behind you, for example, look rather shoddy.

One of my favorite places to take a photo is near a large window in non-direct sunlight.

DO NOT POST BLURRY OR WASHED-OUT PHOTOS!

CROPPING & EDITING

Cropping and editing can also contribute to the photo's mood or focus. The image to the left, for example, has been cropped to put emphasis on the person's face and smile instead of his approving gesture or surroundings. It also shifts the balance and focus of the photo from "a guy and his room" to "a guy smiling." In one, the room serves almost as a prop whereas in the other, it merely serves as a background. If you wanted to take a more artsy approach to this, you could use a more non-traditional crop such as a square or elongated rectangle and focus on something like the eyes or hands. Adding a black border can also make a photo look more impressive.

Digitally editing an image with filters, text, or touch-ups can also improve your photo. Many computers or digital cameras come with software such as Adobe Elements or even Microsoft Paint that are great for editing photos. Editing a photo’s brightness or contrast can, as seen above, create a washed-out image and emphasize hair, eyes, eyebrows, and lips. Editing the contrast, using crazy filters, deleting the background, etc. all make the image more artsy and usually put emphasis on the graphic design element of the entire image rather than the photograph itself. More basic editing, however, such as color tweaking and the previously mentioned cropping can simply enhance an already solid photo.

LET'S REVIEW, SHALL WE?

1) Know how to use your camera. Read the manual.

2) Try not to use a flash. Use natural lighting whenever possible. Avoid shadows.

3) Choose an appropriate angle to shoot your photo at, which varies from shot to shot.

4) If you don’t have a MySpace photo, get one by using an old one, having someone else take it, take it using a timer, or take it yourself.

5) Enhance your photo’s mood and focus using cropping and editing.

FINALLY, A CONCLUSION

Now that you know some of the proper techniques to taking good photos for your Internet addictions, I expect to see them being used in your accounts and in your daily life. If you still have photos that don't meet these criteria, delete them! They're horrible! Oh, and if you have music or video on your page, you should probably delete that too; that's just annoying.

If you'd like to see some examples of these skills being used, feel free to visit the "Photos" page of www.HoodieLove.com. (If you have any additional questions about photography after viewing them, I'd be happy to help.)

Well, I hope this lengthy tutorial was helpful to you and I hope to see it in the daily use of your camera. Thanks for reading and good luck!

DISCLAIMER: If you feel that my advice is incorrect in some aspects, keep in mind that many of these "rules" are basic or generalized and as such, not exact. However, if there are any glaring errors, feel free to correct me.