How to film yourself from far away

By Con, founder of Music Wide Selfie · Updated 22 October 2026

Short answerPut the phone on a stand well away from you and use the 2× or longer lens if your iPhone has one. Distance plus zoom gives natural proportions and more background compression. Use an Apple Watch or a long timer to start.

Why distance helps

Wide lenses up close stretch proportions. Further away with a longer lens looks more natural.

Setup

Frame the shot from where you’ll stand, using a watch or a test photo.
Use the telephoto or 2× option if available.
Set a long timer or use a remote.
Take several rounds.

Safety

Keep your phone in sight in public places, or have someone nearby.

Questions

Does 2× lose quality?

On iPhones with a 2× option on the main camera, it uses the high-resolution sensor and holds up well in good light.

About Music Wide Selfie

An iPhone camera app for people who film themselves, coming soon to the App Store. One email when it launches.

One email when the app is ready. Nothing else.