The science of selfies

With millions of selfies taken around the world each day, how will yours stand out? Take it from these photographers; you don’t have to make a big production when taking good-looking selfies. Absolutely no duck face allowed.

MANILA, Philippines - Correct me if I’m wrong but I think one of the most defining characteristics of Millennials is their unrelenting desire to take selfies. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing wrong with it. Some of us believe that it’s a way to boost our confidence (see: getting hundreds of Facebook likes). Some existentialists might say that it’s proof that we once lived in this world. No matter what your motives are, there’s no excusing you from taking the same boring selfie every single day.

If you don’t want to do it for yourself, do it for your friends and followers. Because come on, there’s no taking back what you have posted. Just imagine looking at the same old angles and duck faces five years from now on Timehop. So take a few notes from these photographers on how to take a cool selfie. —MAINE MANALANSAN

Jelito de Leon

Instagram handle: @jelitodeleon

Favorite Instagram filter: Rise and Amaro because they’re the only filters that don’t destroy the photo...

To border or not to border: No one should ever use borders.

How to take a selfie: Find a well-lit place (as long as it’s not the bathroom) and make sure no one is behind to photobomb you.

How not to take a selfie: While driving.

Average number of selfies one should post in a day and why: Once a week.

Hannah Reyes

Instagram handle: @hannahrey

Favorite Instagram filter: VSCO filters, because I can make them subtle.

To border or not to border: I use them but only because I get attached to the part of the photo that gets cropped otherwise!

How to take a selfie: Just have fun!

How not to take a selfie: Mmm, duck face?

Average number of selfies one should post in a day: As many as you need so you don’t forget what you look like!

tracianne and trasienne estrada

Instagram handle: @tracianne
@trasienne

Favorite Instagram filter: We use VSCO.

To border or not to border: Use white borders instead of black

How to take a selfie: Natural light is always good

How not to take a selfie: Selfies taken from high angles

Average number of selfies one should post in a day: Hey, it’s your Instagram. We don’t judge.

Czar Kristoff

Instagram handle: @czarkristoff

Favorite Instagram filter: I don’t have a favorite.

To border or not to border: It doesn’t matter if there’s border or none, what matters is the content.

How to take a selfie: Don’t show your face completely. Be mysterious.

How not to take a selfie: I don’t know really.

Average number of selfies one should post in a day: No idea.

Koji Arboleda

Instagram: @kojiarboleda

Favorite Instagram filter: Inkwell! I look for contrast when shooting black and white.

To border or not to border: I don’t really use them because I like how the photos look seamless with Instagram’s interface. And it looks cleaner without them.

How to make the perfect selfie: Just don’t do the duckface.

How not to take a selfie: Posting all the photos of your selfie session.

Average number of selfies one should post in a day: Once or twice a week? And do outfits count? Because guilty.

Ralph Mendoza

Instagram handle: @ralphmendo

Favorite Instagram filter: I don’t use filters on iPhone photos but I do edit the brightness and contrast a little since Instagram allows it now. If shot on film, I just post it right away.

To border or not to border: Tacky. Distracting. Instagram could use a redesign though.

How to take a selfie: Find a good location.

How not to take a selfie: That’s my specialty. Look through my phone.

Average number of selfies one should post in a day: As many as you want as long you’re being real.

Kimi Juan

Instagram handle: @kimijuan

Favorite Instagram filter: No to Instagram filters, yes to VSCO cam!

To border or not to border: I never try to put any borders, I like to keep everything simple. Less is always more.

How to selfie: One thing I always remember when taking a selfie is to be creative and to think outside the box. Think of ways to be different from all other selfies on your Instagram feed. Use props, a nice background, nice light, your friends, strangers, a nice mirror and even other random things from your surroundings! Anything is possible!

How not to selfie: Stay away from the typical; duck face, kiss face, and maybe the selfie pod? Those are fun too, but to catch some attention, it helps a whole lot if you are different and creative.

Average number of selfies one should post in a day: ONE. Leave them wanting more!