Make this photo of you
Plain Selfie (Front Camera).
Useable in moderation. Never as photo 1. Never on the front camera at arm's length. Add a few selfies once and get a version that works in about 60 seconds. Want it moving? One more click.
The version that works
Best at photo 3+
Same shot, slow turn
Made fromOne kitchen selfieWhy this shot works
The plain front-camera selfie is the single most overused, most-criticized photo type in dating. Front cameras shoot wide, which distorts faces. Selfies are taken at arm's length, which is too close for flattering portraits. And selfies in profiles signal 'I have no one to take my photo.'
01
Use the back camera with the phone propped or in someone's hand
02
Shoot slightly above eye level for a more flattering angle
03
Soft outdoor light beats every indoor selfie
04
Outdoor with great natural light, taken at slight downward angle
Three steps. No photographer.
- 1
Add a few selfies, once
Magnt learns your face from a handful of clear photos. After that, just switch on Me.
- 2
Use this idea, or say it your way
The prompt is filled in for you. Change the city, the outfit or the time of day.
- 3
Get it in about 60 seconds
Download it full size, try a variation, or turn it into a short video.
Ready-to-use prompt
A plain selfie (front camera) of me in a real place, soft natural light from the side, caught mid-moment with a relaxed, real expression, natural skin texture, shot on a 35mm lens.
- Me: on
- Style: Natural
- Shape: 4:5
- Photo, then video
Same plain selfie (front camera), four kinds of light
Swap one line in the prompt and the whole photo changes.
“Hi, nice to meet you.”
The video version
Bring it to life.
Turn your plain selfie (front camera) into a 5 or 10 second clip. Pick a move, or type a line and you say it to the camera.
720p or 1080p. Ready in a few minutes.
If you like this one
All ideas
Questions
Should I use a plain selfie (front camera) on my profile?
Useable in moderation. Never as photo 1. Never on the front camera at arm's length. The plain front-camera selfie is the single most overused, most-criticized photo type in dating. Front cameras shoot wide, which distorts faces. Selfies are taken at arm's length, which is too close for flattering portraits. And selfies in profiles signal 'I have no one to take my photo.'
Where should a plain selfie (front camera) go in my profile?
A plain selfie (front camera) works best at photo 3+. Lead with a clear, well-lit shot of your face.
When does a plain selfie (front camera) hurt?
Position 1 of profile. Almost always a swipe-left. Indoor under ceiling light. All six profile photos are selfies. Autoswipe pass. Front camera at 0.5x equivalent. Face distortion.
What should I avoid in a plain selfie (front camera)?
Bathroom and bedroom selfies. Filtered selfies. Apps detect and burn smoothing artifacts at thumbnail size. Selfies that are obviously cropped from a different photo.
Will it still look like me?
Yes. Your face, skin and build stay yours. Magnt changes the light and the place, not the person.
How long does it take?
About 60 seconds for a photo. Videos take a few minutes.
Can it talk in the video?
Yes. Type a line and you say it to the camera, in a 5 or 10 second clip.
What if I don’t love the result?
Change one line in the prompt and try again, or ask for a variation. Keep only the ones you like.
Your plain selfie (front camera) is ready when you are.
A few selfies in. A better photo out. Then make it move.