Monday, November 19, 2012

Just Look at Yourself ! ( Sometimes it IS the Camera...)

Some of you may have noticed that I'm not quick on the uptake. Not only do I frequently have insights that everyone else discovered years or decades before, but I then publish my own slowness where the world can verify that, indeed, I am not the brightest crayon in the box. This is one of those epiphanies.

I have always hated the way I look in photographs. Not that I'm all that crazy about how I look in the mirror, but I'm genuinely shocked by how much I don't look like me in snapshots, as I see myself. I've always known that a mirror reflection is horizontally opposite from the way you are seen by others. (You did know that, right? Some people don't figure that out for a while.) So, for years, the way I got around the inevitable dismay was to duck having my photograph made. But since the onset of so much social media, and the irresistible lure of imposing my style opinions on the internet via blogging, I have been forced to face up to my own garden-variety dysmorphia, because I need decent pictures of my own mug. This has become a personal growth issue.

One of the easiest ways to avoid actually being in the family photograph is to be the one who takes the pictures. And to keep on being that person depends on the ability to take a decent shot. So, for that reason, and others too removed from my point here, I had to learn a little about photographing people, and that meant cameras and film (in the old days, now cameras and pixels.) And for that reason I really ought to understand why photographs can go horribly, terribly wrong. I always used a large format camera and a portrait lens (85mm), but the years passed and I forgot most of what I learned and began using a point-and-shoot digital, charmed by the ability to dink around with my photos without smelling like darkroom chemicals.

Dear readers, I know that at least a few of you have a similar aversion to your own image in photographs. And that there are a lot of how-to articles that will teach you how to make them look better, and they are very valuable. No doubt. Read them all. But many assume a 35mm SLR (single lens reflex camera) and ignore the fact that the distortion of the usual wide-angle lens (found on most point-and-shoot digitals) make you look strange to begin with. I should have known that. And I found a site that demonstrates focal length distortion with satisfying clarity.

With permission of the photographer, Stephen Eastwood, I present to you a dramatic example of why your pretty face sometimes looks a little ... odd. He uses SLR lenses here, and focal lengths for digital cameras are described numerically with a different system, but the general principle is the same. Check this out.


For a better, bigger look at these go here .
They are the same woman, but using lenses from 350mm to 19mm.
And for Mr. Eastwood's article, on a different use for these examples: here


See, it isn't just you. It's really the camera. Wide-angle lenses are NOT for faces, unless you really want to see how you'd look as an alien, or squeezed through the birth canal again, only this time as an adult in full makeup. I feel so much better now. The effect isn't usually this dramatic, but little distortions can make you look a lot different.

I found, by Googling around, most sources suggest that the way to avoid this with a point-and-shoot camera with an optical zoom lens, is to stand back, away from the subject, then zoom in. Mine, zoomed out just a little more than half-way, works out to an approximate 70-80 mm (about the same as a traditional SLR portrait lens,) which works just fine.

Additionally, place the person you are photographing in the middle of the frame. There's less distortion in the center than at the edges of a wide-angle lens. You'll have to crop your picture with a photo editor, but you'll look better. There's a lot of variety in digital cameras, with and without zoom, so see what features yours has if you use one.

If there are any experienced photographers who can give me any more tips on avoiding this distortion (or correcting any of the above if you find error or misunderstanding) I'd be most happy to hear it!

So, even if this is old news to most of you, I'm still convinced that there are at least a few of you that might find this enlightening. Shhhh. We won't tell anyone ....
_____________________________

Here I am, ready for a change, for Visible Monday  at Patti's. More High-Low (Kirna Zabete for Target) and an odd little Bisou-Bisou tuxedo-ish, peplum-ish jacket.





30 comments:

  1. What a great post! Thanks for all the tips. Hubby takes my photos and I think he does a pretty good job so I'm not complaining. I don't have a clue about photography.

    You're wearing one of my fav color combos. Great outfit!

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    1. Oooh. Thanks! From you, I'm especially honored. Dan the Huz takes most of my pics and that 's one of the reasons I needed to figure this out! We always do pictures on the fly and I'm never comfortable. Working on it.
      Have a very, very Happy Thanksgiving!
      Jan

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  2. That was interesting and crazy how much the photos differed. I've known for a while I need to pull the camera back more, but when I take photos inside there isn't enough space it seems.

    I've had a fear of getting my photos taken all my life. My blog is forcing me to find ways to relax a bit more in front of the camera and also deal with all my insecurities.

    You look like you have the exact same hair as me : ) and I love the colours in this outfit.

    Bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Like I asked of Allison (see below,) if you figure the indoor thing out... please let me know! I understand what you mean about how outfit photos are learning moments. I'm happy for you that you are doing it while you're young! Yup, the basic style is similar, but your cut is amazing. I'm trying to get time for a cut, and that will help, no matter what. Thanks again for the inspiration.
      Have a lovely Thanksgiving!

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  3. Thanks for the fascinating graphics on lenses and faces. I feel much better now, and in fact I will henceforth always blame the camera! : > And thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.

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    1. I've always known that it was the blinking camera, but just couldn't PROVE it. This is my Miss Marple moment. Thanks again, for reading and your own writing. Hope your move doesn't ruin your Thanksgiving and that you have a lovely day. (And really ... you wear a white blouse better than anyone I know. Must be your delicate clavicle and wrists!)

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  4. Wow, really great article. I'm amazed at the differences! Hubby and I are budding photographers and discovering how the little things make a big difference. Your tip for using a zoom and backing away is spot on.

    Here's a tip I learned from A well known model. When you smile pretend like you're saying hello to a young child. It will show in your eyes. This really works!!

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  5. Wow, I'm amazed at how different that model looks! My hubby and I recently learned the trick of zooming in from far away. That works great for outdoor photography but we haven't mastered it indoors yet. Love your boots and skirt look too!

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    1. Please... let me know when you do find a way to deal with indoors. My problem with indoor shots is finding a tidy spot to let the world see. Really. As much as I hate to admit it. We are pet centered, and way, way too lenient with the furry kids. Also a great tip about smiling at imaginary children. (It would, I'd think, depend on how you actually feel when encountering the little rug-rats ... oops. Telling to much ...)
      Have a great Thanksgiving, and thanks for reading and writing your blog!

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  6. Beautiful color on you!! Looks so good with your red hair. I also like the hi-lo skirt and jacket. You didn't mention the boots; they look like they'd be perfect with just about everything.

    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

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    1. Thanks, Jean. I may have done as much high-low as is good for me, at least on the bottom. And the boots are sleeker than they look here and the toe pointier and slimmer. I do wear them with a lot.
      Enjoy your turkey as well!

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  7. This was very interesting! I'm new to lenses and their effects and all that so I'm bookmarking for future reference.
    Love the peplum jacket!

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    1. Peplums are a little problematic (ok... a LOT problematic) for me. I'm short, then short-waisted and so often tailored, fit at the waist don't work for me. This one works well open, so it may be my only peplum for the season. Sigh.
      Oooh ...oooh! If you haven't seen the Friday photograph tips at Not Dressed as Lamb, she's got one entry that's especially good.
      Hoping you are well, and that we'll hear from you on blog soon.

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  8. Thank you for the great information about picture taking. I really did not know all of that. I too have always hated being in pictures. With blogging I have become much more comfortable and somewhat less critical of myself.
    You look fabulous in this outfit. The colors really look fab with your hair color. I do love your hair color and style. I am trying to let mine grow some. I probably won't go as long as yours, but I am inspired to give it a try!

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    1. Gotta tell ya, Debbi, you've lost years lately, at least in your pics, and are looking good. I need about 2" off the hair all around, but I encourage women our age to wear it a bit longer.

      And I so love your low-lights.
      So glad you liked the outfit. I'm just getting uncomfortable in a different way ... I like some of my outfits way less after I see them in pictures! This is something I need to get over... working on it.

      Hope you and all yours have a great Thanksgiving.

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  9. I find photography and camera functionality to be so fascinating! Thanks for sharing that with everyone, Jan. And I'm glad to see an outfit pic from you. The layering is beautifully styled and I'm a big fan of your color palette. I'm jealous of that gorgeous auburn hair of yours. You definitely need to be on the front end of the camera more often, Pretty Lady!!! ~Sarah

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    1. So kind, Sarah, from a real pro and pretty person, and I'm flattered. Red is easy ... dark brunette is REALLY HARD to wear, and you do it beautifully, so we're both envious. Really it seems cowardly to not post an outfit at Patti's. I'd really rather just pontificate, but probably good to put my money where the mouth is, since everyone else seems to get it together. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving ... and lean out a window and wave at my city, for me, please.
      Jan

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  10. Thanks for the camera tips--I can use this as a reference!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

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    1. And thank you for reading! Hope you had a good holiday ... I'm slow getting back to everyone this week. Am still working on a pick of me in the fedora! I hate having my picture made, and all this is sort of get-over-myself-therapy. Kind of ironic, no?
      Jan

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  11. Yay I have been waiting for this kind of article. It is very informative and I bookmarked this for references. ^_^ Thanks for dropping by at my site I do appreciate it.

    Kim, USA

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    1. Great! Glad it was of use. I always enjoy your site. We're built a lot alike, and your choices give me ideas as well!
      Thanks for reading, and for writing your blog.
      Jan

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  12. Love your outfit! Blue is my favorite color!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it. I'm looking forward in the coming year to seeing what you post! Thanks for reading.
      Jan

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  13. I struggle with every blog post. I keep trying different things but the same old lopsided me pops up every time!
    Those colors look great on you and I do love the flat-sneak boots!

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    1. So glad to hear from you. Hope the wedding was fun, and hope you post pics of yourself in full dress. I struggle too ... each week is difficult and it is always hard to swallow my discomfort and post pictures. I always feel like a chicken if I don't manage a real photograph for Patti's VM. Take care of yourself (hoping that you're feeling better) and enjoy the holiday madness! Thanks for all, Tammy.
      Jan

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  14. Gorgeous blue... is that the "Klein blue" that is in the 2013 lines? I'm not that knowledgeable, but I JUST saw a lot of it on another fashion-blog not five minutes ago!

    I get so frustrated about how bad I look in many photos, when I'm told I'm pretty IRL. But I continue to post, bad photos and all....

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    1. Klein blue was, so far as I know, a particular favorite often used by Yves Klein, and is a mixture he was fond of based on Ultramarine blue .. . and on my computer, the sweater does kind of look like it. But it's a actually closer to a Cobalt with a bit of yellow, more a kind of Turquoise. The daylight was really cool (color wise) that afternoon, and that makes a difference. Color terms, as they are often used in media these days, are wildly creative. The best source is Pantone. They're the folks that, besides many other services, give us the names of the hot colors for a given season. Google the name, and you'll find out more than you ever wanted to know about color!

      Boy, am I in your corner about how we look in photos. I'm not blaming it all on the camera, but REALLY ... sometimes it IS !!!!
      Thanks for reading, and for you blog. Looking forward to your next post.

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  15. Thanks so much for your valuable advice. I found the post very well written and I love your red hair.It looks so special!

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  16. Wow! Thanks so much. I'm into problem solving these days, and my photos were/are a problem! I knew it wasn't just me!
    Thanks for reading, and writing your blog.

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  17. What a great post! Indeed, several times I wondered what was wrong with my face as I looked like an alien on few photos.

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