Every bit photographers we are privy to sure experience and understanding that the average person is non. Our working relationship with the nuances of camera and lens physics and how that plays into subject representation is, actually, uncommon. And when it comes to shooting people, we certainly have a better foundation on which to stand up to brand them look their best, especially portrait, style, and beauty photographers, and 1 of the things we have to contend with is this persistent notion that the photographic camera adds x pounds. inexact

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The thought that the camera adds x pounds is a pervasive and persistent one throughout the mainstream and fifty-fifty in the modeling globe, merely how true is it? Well, to add a lilliputian more than fuel to the fire, more fodder for word, the Sci Testify fabricated a short 2 infinitesimal video in an attempt to explain information technology.

At present, of grade, this was meant for a broad audience, then photographers acquainted with the 'phenomena' needn't exist cynical even though they address something all of u.s. already understand, and that's the effect focal length has on the appearance of a subject, or more specifically, the relative appearance betwixt parts of a subject area.

We understand wider lenses will distort depending on orientation and distance in a fashion that's typically less flattering (though if you've shot plenty yous know when you pull that wider focal length out to elongate a confront or figure), and that longer focal lengths (upwards to a point) 'compress' features in a mostly more appealing fashion.

Merely other than that the video suggests that a large contributor to the theory is that when nosotros come across with our eyes we are using stereoscopic vision, where as with a photographic camera it's monoscopic, and that stereoscopic renders depth better, given a meliorate sense of relative depth perception, and a better more 'all-round' view compared to the flatter expect of a monoscopic lens which tin can create the perception of larger features. Does that hateful it's 10lbs worth? That's probably a matter of opinion and seems arbitrary, merely there does seem to be some bit of truth to it.

So What Tin can You Exercise?

Well, it comes down to knowing your bailiwick really and having a particular vision, and experience. There actually is no substitute for experience hither considering I could tell you that 105mm is pretty ideal for headshots as that'due south my experience from the typical distance I like to shoot, but you lot've got to know when to place that as a crock for the situation.

In that location'south no blanket answer, and there are many things you can exercise to look slimmer in a photo, from lighting, vesture, make-upwards, and posing is a huge i. Nosotros ran a story a scrap ago with a series of videos and tips on 'How To Pose So Y'all Don't Look Fat In Photos' that's worth taking a await. Also, if you're a wedding lensman our latest premium content on Photographing The Couple covers a lot of this ground in detail to help you lot make your clients look their very best, every time. Check it out.