Her GadgetMatch

How to take the perfect selfie

Published

on

In the renaissance era, there were self portraits; in the age of social media, seflies!

One too many times I’ve seen people post subpar selfies, and although this may seem like no big deal, it is.

Not only are these photographs physical expressions of your likeness, they are a representation of you and your aesthetic sensibilities.

In short, no matter how silly or useless you think selfies are, they still say a lot about you. That being said, here are some foolproof tips on how you can achieve that perfect photograph.

1. Find the light

When taking photographs, natural light works best. Well-lit open areas are the most ideal spots. Make sure the light isn’t too harsh, as this may wash out your features.

Pro tip: “Golden hour” is the perfect time to take selfies outdoors. This is the time of day when the sun is just about to set — it’s perfect natural lighting.

[sciba leftsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GadgetMatch-SelfieTips-FindtheLight2-2017-04-10.jpg” leftlabel=”Shot against the light with Auto settings” rightsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GadgetMatch-SelfieTips-FindtheLight1-2017-04-10.jpg” rightlabel=”Shot during golden hour ” mode=”horizontal” width=””]

Literally “find your light” and make sure you don’t go against any light source when taking photos, because you may end up with dark, blurry shots.

But as with all things, there are exceptions. Sometimes, going against the light may work to your advantage. Depending on what camera you use and what your photography settings are, being against the light can also add to the photo’s drama.

2. Be the focus

In life and in selfies, you should always strive to be the center of attention. This is easily doable by taking selfies against any simple backdrop that isn’t too cluttered or busy.

Pro tip: Dual-camera phones usually have a bokeh feature which blurs out the background and automatically makes you the photograph’s focal point.

Normal vs. Bokeh mode

This works wonders for when the background is too busy, but you just really need to take a selfie.

3. Don’t go overboard with editing

It pays to have instant beautification mode on your selfie camera because it automatically makes you look fresh on days when you’re not feeling 100 percent super. But, too much of something is never a good thing, and this applies to photo buffing, as well.

[sciba leftsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GadgetMatch-howtoselfie-buffing2-2017-11-04.jpg” leftlabel=”Too much buffering!” rightsrc=”http://www.gadgetmatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GadgetMatch-howtoselfie-buffing-2017-11-04.jpg” rightlabel=”Just right” mode=”horizontal” width=””]

The goal here is to blur out slight imperfections and not your face. It’s a selfie after all, so it should showcase your face, and not turn you into Voldemort!

4. Invest in a decent camera

Gone are the days of VGA phone cameras! These days, most smartphones carry power-packed shooters.

Traditionally, rear phone cameras were considered the main shooters and usually had better photo capabilities than front-facing cameras. This isn’t necessarily the case anymore. With the selfie revolution at hand, brands have recognized the need for optimizing front-facing snappers.

The Vivo V5 Plus has a 20-megapixel selfie camera!

Take note: no matter how cute you are in it, a crappy photo will always be a crappy photo. Quality selfies are key!

5. Relax, be genuine

The best version of yourself, whether in photographs or in real life, is the genuine version. If you are uncomfortable, it will show in photographs!

Pro tip: Just be yourself and smile — think happy thoughts!

Remember to never settle for less than perfect when it’s your face you’re portraying!

Taking photos with these basic rules may take some getting used to, but today’s technology just makes it easier for us. You’ll be a selfie expert in no time!

Ready, set, selfie!

SEE ALSO: Vivo V5 Plus Hands-On Review

[irp posts=”9707″ name=”Vivo V5 Plus Hands-On Review”]

 


This feature was produced in collaboration between GadgetMatch and Vivo.

Her GadgetMatch

What your smartphone color choice reveals about you

Eight colors, eight personalities. Here’s how to pick.

Published

on

Your phone color says more than you think. With the Pixel 11 series, Google’s giving you eight ways to make that statement, and there’s genuinely one for every kind of person.

Hibiscus

You’re never the quiet one in the room. Hibiscus doesn’t ask for attention; it just takes it, and if that sounds like you, you’re probably not planning to start hiding now. This is the pick for anyone who’d rather stand out than blend in.

Pistachio

You’re the one who remembers everyone’s coffee order. Pistachio is soft and easy; the one whom people gravitate toward without quite knowing why. It doesn’t try hard to be liked. It just is.

Frost

You like things a little too organized. Frost means clean lines and a clear head, the color equivalent of a camera roll with zero mess in it. If your notes app has color-coded folders, this one’s calling your name.

Obsidian

You let the work speak for itself. No flash needed, because when you show up, the room adjusts anyway. Obsidian is the classic choice, the one that’s never trying too hard because it doesn’t have to.

Canyon

You’re the one who suggests the sunset drive. Canyon is warm and a little restless, always chasing golden hour whether or not anyone else is up for it. Available on the Pro and Pro XL, it’s built for people who treat every evening like it might be a good one.

Olive

You’re outdoorsy, but you’ll still show up looking put together. Olive is low-key and grounded, the one who doesn’t try too hard because it’s already comfortable in its own skin. Another Pro and Pro XL exclusive.

Fog

You’re hard to read, and you like it that way. Fog is understated on purpose, a Pro and Pro XL colorway for anyone who’d rather keep people guessing.

So, which one’s you?

Eight colors, three phones, one very personal decision. Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL goes on sale starting August 20 — with Pistachio, Hibiscus, Frost, and Obsidian on the base model; and Canyon, Fog, Olive, and Obsidian on the Pro line.

Which one’s calling your name?

Continue Reading

Her GadgetMatch

TECNO and Angélica Dass team up for a global portrait project

Dass aims to photograph 100 people across five countries using the TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra

Published

on

By

TECNO has partnered with Brazilian photographer Angélica Dass in launching “100 Portraits of Becoming.”

It is a two-year global initiative that explores identity, representation, and how AI sees people.

The project officially kicked off in Nairobi, Kenya — where Dass began photographing participants using the latest TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra.

Who’s Angélica Dass?

Angélica Dass is best known for exploring identity and self-expression through portrait photography.

Her award-winning “Humanæ” project challenged conventional ideas of race and skin color by highlighting the diversity of human skin tones.

ICYMI, Dass and her project gained much recognition from:

  • TED
  • World Economic Forum
  • UNESCO
  • American Museum of Natural History
  • Vogue
  • National Geographic

Portraits beyond appearances

With this portrait project, Dass teams up with TECNO to photograph 100 people across five countries.

Rather than simply documenting faces, 100 Portraits of Becoming aims to tell the stories behind each participant. Every portrait is paired with a personal narrative about growth, identity, and life experiences. Creating what TECNO calls a “Living Archive.”

Participants are photographed in natural light, without filters, and while wearing clothing of their own choice to better reflect their authentic selves.

The collaboration also explores how AI can go beyond simply recognizing faces. Asking instead how technology can better reflect the complexity of human identity and give people more control over how they choose to be seen.

Powered by TECNO’s Universal Tone imaging

All portraits are shot using the TECNO CAMON 50 Ultra, which features the company’s Universal Tone imaging technology.

Introduced in 2023, Universal Tone is designed to improve how smartphone cameras capture different skin tones. According to TECNO, the system is built on a database covering hundreds of skin tone samples, allowing photos to produce more natural and accurate results across a wider range of complexions.

The company says the technology aligns with the project’s goal of promoting more authentic and inclusive representation in photography, especially as AI-powered imaging becomes increasingly common nowadays.

From Kenya to the world

As previously mentioned, Kenya serves as the project’s first stop. With TECNO citing the country’s growing technology ecosystem and young population as reasons for beginning there.

Over the next two years, the initiative will travel to the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Brazil. The first collection of portraits and stories expected to go live online in August.

As of writing, TECNO is currently accepting participants from the Philippines where Dass is expected to take part from August 16 until August 22, 2026.

Through 100 Portraits of Becoming, TECNO hopes to spark conversations around identity, diversity, and how technology can better reflect the people it captures—not just visually, but through their stories as well.

Continue Reading

Her GadgetMatch

Dyson’s viral portable fan arrives in the Philippines

Published

on

Dyson HushJet Mini

If there is one Dyson launch that has generated unusual levels of anticipation this year, it is the Dyson HushJet Mini Portable Fan.

The compact cooling device quickly gained a following after its international release, reportedly selling out within a day in several markets. Now, just in time for the hottest and most humid months of the year (no thanks to climate change), it is finally arriving in the Philippines.

With temperatures continuing to climb, the timing feels almost inevitable. Lightweight and designed for use on the move, the HushJet™ Mini brings Dyson’s airflow technology into a portable format that fits easily into everyday life—whether commuting through the city, attending outdoor events, traveling, or spending long days under the sun.

Its appeal extends beyond functionality. Finished in Dyson’s Stone/Blush colorway, the device combines cooling performance with a sleek aesthetic that feels at home alongside the accessories people already carry daily.

The new Dyson HushJet Mini is your new companion against heat and humidity.

The launch also marks one of the most accessible entry points into the Dyson ecosystem. Priced at PhP6,499, the HushJet Mini offers consumers a practical way to experience the brand’s engineering and design in a product built for everyday use.

Given the strong demand seen overseas, interest is expected to be high when the fan officially launches in the Philippines.

Where, when, and how to get your own Dyson HushJet

The Dyson HushJet Mini Portable Fan in Stone/Blush will be available beginning June 25, 2026 at 3 p.m. at participating Dyson stores, including Mall of Asia, Podium, Greenbelt 5, and One Bonifacio High Street.

For those hoping to get their hands on one, it may be worth keeping a close eye on Dyson Philippines’ official social media channels and Dyson.ph. If international demand is any indication, this could be one of the season’s most sought-after releases.

Continue Reading

Trending