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Taking good photos

Your measurements are only as good as your photos. A phone held at arm's length can change some ratios by more than any treatment would.

The front photo

  • Use the rear camera, about 6 feet (2 m) away, zoomed in if needed. Close-up selfies stretch the nose and narrow the face.
  • Hold the camera at eye level. Looking up or down changes the vertical proportions.
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, hair off the face and ears.
  • Even, soft light from the front. Window light works well; avoid overhead light that shadows the eyes.
Straight on, eye level, from a distance.
DoStraight on, eye level, from a distance.
Close selfie: wider nose, narrower face, distorted proportions.
Don'tClose selfie: wider nose, narrower face, distorted proportions.

Why distance matters

Close to your face, a wide-angle lens enlarges whatever is nearest (the nose) and shrinks what is further back (the ears and jaw). From about 6 feet the effect becomes negligible, which is why that is the distance our measurements assume.

Too close
Too close
About 6 feet
About 6 feet
Too far
Too far

The side profile

  • Turn a full 90°. If you can see your far eyebrow, you're not turned enough.
  • Look straight ahead at a point on the wall, not at the phone.
  • Same distance and height as the front photo, with the camera directly beside you.
A true 90° profile, eyes level.
DoA true 90° profile, eyes level.
Turned too little: the far eyebrow shows and profile angles are off.
Don'tTurned too little: the far eyebrow shows and profile angles are off.