Selfies can surprise you with unexpected results. Unlike a mirror, it often distorts your appearance—making the nose appear bigger, eyes uneven, or skin blotchy. Ever wondered why this happens? And more importantly, how can you fix it?

Why Is Your Front Camera Quality So Bad?

You look great in the mirror, but your selfies don’t always reflect that. So why does this happen? Well, there could be several reasons.

While there may be other factors, these are some common ones. Let’s discuss how to fix them and take a good selfie every time.

1. Clean Your Front Camera Lens

When was the last time you cleaned your front camera lens? If you may’t remember, chances are it’s been a while. Dust, fingerprints, and smudges distort images, so clean your lens first.

Use a soft cloth or tissue and wipe the lens with it. Avoid harsh cleaners, as they can damage the delicate camera lens.

2. Take Photographs in Natural Light

Natural lighting is ideally used for photography. Artificial lighting can create harsh shadows and add funky tones to your skin. So, find a spot near a window or step outside for better lighting. You’ll see an immediate improvement in your selfies.

3. Turn On the Mirror Front Camera

You see a reversed image of yourself in the mirror, and your brain adapts to this perspective. However, when you use your front camera, the image isn’t mirrored, which can feel unfamiliar.

The selfie camera flips the image horizontally to reflect how others see you, but this might not align with your mirrored self. This discrepancy can make your face appear different and more asymmetrical than you’re used to.

To fix this,turn on the mirror front camera optionin your phone settings. This way, you’ll get a true reflection of how you see yourself in the mirror.

For Android Users

For iPhone Users

4. Adjust Focus and Exposure

Another key to taking a good selfie is adjusting focus and exposure. These settings can make all the difference in a well-balanced and clear image.

To adjust the focus, tap on the screen where you want the camera to focus. This also works for objects or people in your selfie background. A yellow box will appear around the focus point, and your camera will adjust accordingly.

Exposure in photographyrefers to the brightness or darkness of a photograph. If your selfie appears too dark or bright, you can modify the exposure to adjust the light levels. To do this, tap the sun icon near the focus point, which opens a slider. Moving the slider up (+) brightens the image, while moving it down (-) darkens it.

5. Experiment With Different Angles

Photography is all about experimentation and finding the right angle. The same applies to selfies. Instead of sticking to front-facing shots, try capturing images from various angles and positions. For instance, hold your phone slightly above eye level and tilt your head to get a flatter view.

Another tip is not to hold the phone too close to your face since this may distort your face and render an unflattering image. Instead, keep the phone at arm’s length or use a selfie stick to achieve a more natural and appealing perspective.

6. Avoid Using Digital Zoom

Zooming in on a subject is a common photography technique for capturing details and creating emphasis. However, digital zoom often degrades the quality of selfies and produces blurry images. This occurs because digital zoom enlarges existing pixels rather than capturing new ones.

To maintain sharpness and clarity, avoid zooming. Instead, move closer to your subject or utilize the wide-angle lens on your phone, if available. This approach ensures a crisp, clear shot without sacrificing image quality.

If you’ve been struggling to get a better selfie with the front camera on your phone, give these tips a try and see the difference in your shots.