Photography Tips for Flattering Faces

Not surprisingly, one of the most often asked questions I get as a photographer is "what angle is the most flattering for a face?" People wonder why the camera adds 5+ pounds...90% of the time it's lighting, angles and lens position.

My answer to this is that it's just as much about the lighting as it is the angle. I'm going to give you three basic tips that you can incorporate when you photograph friends and family...and to be sure this is how you're being photographed. Lights...Camera...Action...

1. The image should be captured from the shadowed side of the face at about a 45 degree angle. Why? Because the light side of the face will be magnified, in essence, by the light, making your face look larger and rounder. By photographing the shadowed side, you keep the face in better perspective and looking thinner. (Note for more advanced photographers: It's better to stand back a bit from your subject and zoom in than it is to photograph from up close. By stepping back and zooming in, there's less distortion and magnification, i.e. making the nose and face appear larger and wider.)

2. For a softer look, (and especially for those who are creeping up in years...including yours truly), the less contrast in light, the more flattering. What's called "flat light" means there is a consistent light across the entire face, rather than any kind of contrast or shadowing. A soft, flat light can take years off a face, allowing the smile to shine through!










3. As for angles, for the best results, a lifted and slightly jetted chin (photographed on the shadowed side). Why? Because lifting and extending your chin (a bit like a turtle) makes the double chin magically disappear. If the photographer holds the camera a little higher than the face this helps, too.














Using these simple tips ought to flatter even the funniest of faces! If you use them, let me know by leaving a comment below.


Visit my photography website at www.HeatherHummelPhotography.com