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Question: At which distance should a photo be taken in order to give a true representation of one's physical appearance!?
There are photos I have of myself that I've taken at arm's distance where I would just take the camera in my hand, stretch out my arm as far as it would go, and snap a photo of myself, and other photos where Someone would take a picture of me from 5-6 feet away; both of which return completely different results!.
In fact, I've been told I look like different people as compared to the arm's distance photo shots and the photos taken from 5-6 feet away!.
Which distance is a more accurate representation of a person when taking a photo!? Arm's length, or 5-6 feet away!?
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Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It really depends on the lens you are using!. It sounds like you are using a wide angled lens, which most point and shoots have!. In this case, 5-6 feet away would give a more accurate representation!. If you hold the camera at arm's length, the wide angle lens distorts your face by making the part that is closer to it bigger!. Here is a picture that I took where the subject was almost touching the camera:
http://farm4!.static!.flickr!.com/3129/2760!.!.!.
You can see some of the distortion!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
The most important parameter is not distance, but focal length of lens!. The ideal portrait lens is about 70-90mm in 35mm, which equates to about 50mm for a digital slr!. Use a lens much wider than this and you will exaggerate the perspective of facial features to the point where you look 'different'!. The wider the lens (shorter the focal length), the worse this effect becomes!. If you're shooting at arm's length and getting your whole face in you are well within the distortion zone!. You need a distance which comfortably fits your head, shoulders upwards, at the equivalent lens length of 70-90mm!. This depends on the type of camera you're using, but 2 meters won't be far out!.Www@QuestionHome@Com