How to easily take high quality self-portraits with iPhone and iOS 5

                                          

Trying to figure out how to take a high quality self-portrait with the iPhone, and the low-quality front-facing VGA camera just isn't cutting it? One of the new features of iOS 5 is the ability to trigger the iPhone's rear facing camera with the Volume Up button, and that means it's easier than ever to get the perfect self-portrait. Here's how:

1. Launch Camera app
2. If the front facing camera is activated, tap the rotating camera icon in the top right corner
3. For best results, put the iPhone in your right hand and turn it around
4. Hold the phone out from your body while positioning your thumb over the Volume Up button. The iPhone's camera has a wide enough angle that it is not necessary to stretch out your arm completely. You may want to bend your arm a little so that the inside part of your elbow on your outstretched arm and does not appear in the photo.
5. Look directly into the lens and smile (or not)
6. Press the volume up button

If there's a mirror near by, you can even see what the camera is seeing on the screen and adjust accordingly.

Bonus Tip: If you're wearing headphones with volume control, you can hit the volume up button on them instead.

There you go! Now you're all set to take the perfect self-portrait! You can say goodbye to the grainy, front-facing VGA camera and only use the rear facing camera.

Now go snap some pics and update your Facebook and Twitter profile pics!