by Mille Tappe

Created on: June 24, 2008   Last Updated: July 06, 2008

If you've logged any time surfing the web, you've come across it: the awful profile picture. While these can be good for a laugh, they should also serve as a reminder to check your own profile picture. It may not be LOL terrible, but is it the best that you can do?

Whether you use Myspace, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Bebo (or all of these plus others, as is often the case today), you know that the focal point of the profile page is the profile photo. Given the importance of this photo to the page, you might expect to see a lot of high quality portraits as you surf these sites. Instead, the profile photo is often the most neglected element of the page. Dark, blurry, cluttered images abound in the world of social networking. This can often be blamed on cellphone cameras, or simple lack of digital photography skills. These days, everyone's a photographer. The trick is, not everyone has mastered the basics of producing a clean, simple image with impact. This will change before long, however, as it's really not that difficult. Here are a few simple tips to keep in mind if you want to put your best face forward in your profile:

1. It's all about you. You can wow them with the exotic locale of your vacation in the photo album section. The profile picture should feature you, and only you, prominently in the frame. Select a photo based on how you look in it, not where you are or who you are with, and then crop everything out but you.

2. Create a custom portrait. Maybe you don't see an existing photo of you that will work with tip #1. That's a great excuse to add a new photo to your collection. Ask a friend whose photos you admire to shoot your portrait.

3. Actually, it's all about the light. Be sure you are well lit in the photo, but don't confuse more light with better light. An overflashed photo is as bad as a dark one. Consider shooting outdoors if you have trouble getting the amount of flash right, but watch for shadows.

4. Be yourself. In other words, do not imitate the awkward poses and facial expressions of so many formal portraits. It helps if the photographer is a friend, and you have ample time. A location in which you are both comfortable is also a good idea. Then indulge yourself in the luxury of the digital world: get lots of photos!

5. A proper photo finish. Once you have selected your best image, send it to an online retouching service for that extra attention that makes a photo really stand out. These services have become so quick and affordable there's no reason not to give your photo that final polish. Retouchers today seem to work magic, controlling everything from backgrounds and lighting to improving the appearance of skin and hair.

An attractive, effective profile photo is something everyone can afford today, thanks to digital technology. Once you've uploaded yours and the compliments start rolling in, you'll wonder why you waited so long.

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