Portrait photography is a practice all about capturing the beauty of human faces. However, it’s hard to disagree that some angles just don’t work. A sharp photographer would be able to adjust the camera angle or settings in time to help improve the overall look of the portrait, but it’s still important for any photographer or subject to learn basic face angles to ensure a smoother and faster photoshoot. Whether you’re shooting for editorial photography or fashion photography, having a good amount of knowledge about face angles is useful.
Face Angles vs Camera Angles
When you’re practicing portrait photography, it’s important to distinguish between face angles and camera angles, ensuring great composition and a flattering shot of your subject. So, what are these two?
If you’ve ever been asked by a friend to take a picture of them from a certain angle, they will most likely say something along the lines of, “Can you take a picture of me from here? It’s my good side!” And by “good side,” they mean their face angle or facial view. This refers to the part of their face that faces toward the camera.
There are various face angles you can use in portrait photography, which we will delve into later in this article. Before we move onto camera angles, just remember to capture photos that flatter your subjects, try to get a feel of their best face angle as you move around them while taking shots.
In contrast, camera angles are the location and camera-height position in conjunction with the portrait’s subject. The most common camera angles you’ve probably seen in portraits are from the subject’s eye level, from below, from a higher angle, or either side of the subject.
Although shooting from multiple camera angles can give your photos variety, it’s important to remember that some angles can do more harm than good for specific subjects. For example, a low camera angle could result in a double chin if the subject looks down at the camera, or a high camera angle could potentially conceal some of the model’s best features such as dimples or a defined jawline.
The best camera angles just have to feel natural. Be careful in choosing more out-of-the-box angles, as they tend to visually appear uncomfortable, both for the subject and the viewer of the image.
The Five Face Angles You Need to Know
Now that you know the difference between face angles and camera angles, it’s time for you to grab your notepad and learn about the best face angles so that you can guide your subjects in the future:
1. Full-Face Angle
The full-face angle in portrait photography involves having the subject face the camera directly, showing their entire face. This angle ensures both sides of the face are equally visible, including both eyes and ears.
When you shoot a model doing a full-face angle, the direct gaze and appearance of facial features can make the portrait come across as more sincere and authentic, making the viewer feel a strong connection with the subject.
2. Half Face Angle
The half face angle in portrait photography is not as common as the full-face or three-fourth face. This angle involves the subject with half of their face out of view or obscured.
The half face angle can add a touch of intrigue or focus the viewer’s attention on specific details or emotions expressed on the visible side. It’s particularly useful in portraits aiming to evoke a sense of depth or complexity in a character, focusing on half the face to draw attention to certain expressions or features.
3. Three-fourth face angle
The three-fourth facial view is flattering for most portrait subjects. This angle is achieved by starting in the full-face angle and then asking the subject to turn their face slightly away from the camera. In this angle, only one of the ears is visible, but both eyes are equally visible.
Some subjects may prefer to turn their face in one direction or another to show off their good side.
4. Two-third face angle
The face angle in this pose is a bit more extreme. The two-thirds view is achieved by turning the face even farther away from the camera.
For the most natural look, make sure the tip of the subject’s nose doesn’t break the plane of their far cheek. You can help flatter your subjects by ensuring their face isn’t turned too much. With too much head turn, a subject who looks at the camera may seem awkward. Pay careful attention to their eye positioning, too.
This pose is a delicate balance and may take some practice to achieve flattering results.
5. Profile face angle
The profile face angle is when your subject’s head is turned to the side, capturing the elegant sweep of the nose, the strong line of the jaw, and the gentle curves of the forehead or chin.
This angle isn’t just about catching a different view. It’s about revealing character and depth. It brings out a contemplative, almost mysterious vibe that you just can’t get from head-on shots.
Using multiple angles for experimental portraiture
When photographing a portrait subject, it’s best to capture them in a variety of face angles. You just never know what angle will result in the most flattering images! Even if a subject has a pose that they prefer to do, make sure you test out other angles as well.
Portrait Photography as an Art Form
As a portrait photographer, you are tasked with juggling everything behind the camera while also leading your subject to get the right shot. A lot of people may say that portraiture is not an art, but in so many ways, it is. Mastering face angles, body angles, and camera angles as well as keeping image composition in mind all at once requires a skill that takes years to perfect.
So, to you behind the lens, keep your head up and keep making art – one portrait at a time.
Face Angles in Photography: Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my subject has an asymmetrical face?
For subjects that have an asymmetrical face, try the half face or two-thirds face angle, and keep the subject moving until you get to the most flattering angle for their face. However, no matter what, always hear them out on their preferred face angle.
Are there any specific lenses recommended for shooting portraits?
The best portrait lenses are those that have a focal length of 70 to 135mm like the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 ART Lens or the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L Lens – both crowd favorites! Always make sure to get one with a moderately wide maximum aperture for great low-light performance and a shallow depth of field.
What is the best angle for a face picture?
The crowd-favorite angle when it comes to portraits is the ¾ view. When instructing your model, tell them to start by facing the camera fully then ask them to turn their face a little to the side and turn their chin slightly downwards. Ideally, only the subject’s ears are visible at this angle, but both eyes can still be seen.
What is the best artificial light for portraits?
To set the mood for portraits, photographers tend to gravitate toward tungsten lights to emulate a warmer mood, ones with a color temperature of around 3200K. One of the top tungsten lights is the Came-TV Pro 650W Fresnel Tungsten Light with Built-In Dimmer Control – but if you ever need alternatives, the Interfit Photographic Honey Badger 320 is a great studio flash head or go for the Flashpoint BLAZ-300 Studio Monolight Flash Kit with an umbrella and a light stand!
How do you take an attractive headshot?
- Find a good colored background: This could be something that makes your model’s eyes or clothing pop.
- Always use natural light as much as possible: However, if your studio has no windows or maybe the sky is getting dark, use a warm studio light.
- Choose your model’s outfit wisely: Choose clothing that brings out the model’s best features, commonly dark turtlenecks or long sleeves that force the viewer’s eye to the model’s face.
