Views of the Face

Today's post comes from the book Posing Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios. It is available from Amazon.com and other fine retailers.

When photographing the human face, there are three principle views that you can produce.

FULL FACE.
The first is a full-face view. This is produced when the model is facing directly into the camera. In this pose, both ears are visible. A full-face pose is good when you want to show the symmetry of a model’s face, or when you want to convey an assertive attitude.

In a full-face view, you see both of the subject’s ears. This view works well for a shot where you want to show symmetry.

THREE-QUARTER VIEW.
When the model’s face is turned slightly away from the camera, the far ear disappears. This is a three-quarter view of the face. This pose is good for revealing the shape and contours of the face. It is also more demure and less assertive than a full-face view. Normally, it is recommended that the face not be turned so far that the nose extends past the line of the cheek. In a full-face view, you see both of the subject’s ears. This view works well for a shot where you want to show symmetry.

A three-quarter view is good for showing the contours of the face.

PROFILE.
When the face is turned at a 90-degree angle to the camera, the pose is called a profile. In this pose, only one side of the face is visible. This is a classic type of portrait that exudes grace and abiding beauty.

Profiles reflect a quiet and simple beauty that is timeless.

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*excerpted from the book Posing Techniques for Photographing Model Portfolios