Photography 101 — the 10 lbs myth

Do cameras actually pile on the 10 pounds or are they just an excuse for unsightly weight gain?

Fans of the legendary comedy series Friends may recall an episode from its second season, where the group watches some home-videos recorded by Monica and Ross’s parents during their high-school days. Although the highlight of the episode was Ross and Rachel getting together, the exchange between Monica and Chandler — when Monica tries to defend her overweight past — had us all laughing out loud. “The camera adds 10 pounds,” says Monica, to which Chandler — in all his sarcastic glory — responds, “So how many cameras were actually on you?”

Although this happened on a fictitious television show, everyone is well-aware of the infamous 10 pounds which cameras allegedly add to the subject of a picture. We all have that one friend, colleague or seemingly ageless aunty who complains about all their pictures and blames the camera for making them look fat. Have you ever wondered if this statement is actually true or not? Is a camera really to be blamed for the extra holiday weight you haven’t shed yet?



As it turns out, there is actually some merit to this phenomenon. Scientifically speaking, a camera itself suffers a disadvantage here owing to the single lens it operates on, as opposed to a pair of human eyes. When we look at something, our eyes capture the images and the brain fuses those images together, adding a third dimension to our vision for ‘depth perception.’ Unfortunately, a single-lens camera has a single perspective because of which the object loses some of its depth and appears flatter.

The excess weight can also be explained using the basic principles of lighting, without which photography is impossible. As photography uses light to make images, good lighting becomes crucial as flat light (such as those from poor light equipment or flash systems) can render a picture flat. Badly set lighting or on-camera flashes remove all the shadows around an object, therefore making it look flatter and wider. Without any distinct shadows to define the image, even a perfectly-aligned chin can become double its size. In a nutshell, poor lighting represents depth incorrectly and gives the illusion of extra weight on the subject.

To keep the weight at bay, using the right type of lens is just as important as lighting. The use of wide-angle or telephoto lenses makes images even wider due to the way light enters the camera and bends, distorting the image up. Wide-angle lenses generally have a shorter focal length which makes an individual positioned in the centre both taller and wider while those on the edges appear flatter. Telephoto lenses, on the other hand, compress perceived depth by bringing the background closer to the subject and making the latter appear larger in comparison. This converts a normal, three-dimensional picture into a flat, two-dimensional one that is stretched horizontally. Of course, neither lighting nor lenses can save a picture if the angle from which it has been captured is incorrect. If you are photographed from below, expect to look shorter and heavier than you are with not just two but multiple chins!

Fortunately or unfortunately, science isn’t the only factor which proves cameras pile on the pounds: human psychology and self-image are just as important. People with negative body images or outdated perceptions of their appearance often end up shocked when the person in their picture bares little similarity to what they had imagined. At times, the shock can be rather jarring. So before you blame the camera or call your photographer untalented for clicking unsightly photographs of you, try to work on your self-esteem.

Tips for the perfect picture for the subject

•  Although it might not always be possible, you should try and wear clothes which flatter your physique. Avoid horizontal prints and stripes as they create optical illusions and make you appear wider. Dark colours and heels are adviseable for women who want to look leaner in their pictures.

•  Take a cue from celebrities and how they pose at red carpet events. If you are facing the camera directly, placing one leg in front of the other, bending it slightly and pointing your toe at the camera. This shifts your weight backwards and makes you look thin. Even if you aren’t facing the camera, this pose will add dimension to your body.

•  Always keep your chin up for a longer neck and defined jaw line.

•  Smile as naturally as you possibly can lest your cheeks appear puffy.

•  In group shots, try to stand as far away from the cameraman as possible. However, if the camera is centred and you are standing as part of a row, try to be close to the camera as people look larger on the edges of such compositions.

•  Your mother was right when she used to scold you to sit straight because posture is everything. When posing, stand up straight, pull your shoulder back and stomach in.

•  Never allow anyone to photograph you from below. If the photographer isn’t shooting from eye-level or above, it’s time to hire someone else.

For the photographer

•  To avoid making your subject(s) look big, try to shoot from as great a distance as possible. Also, use a focal length to tighten the composition.

•  Avoid flashes and use good lighting.

•  Position your subject(s) in a way that they appear small in comparison to the background, creating an illusion of depth. You should also turn their waist at a three-quarter angle (or whichever angle that makes their cross-section narrower).

•  Make sure the subject sticks their chin out to minimise layers and highlight their jaw line.

•  When photographing women, ask them to tilt their shoulders and hips in opposite angles to make their figure appear more defined.

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, December 7^th, 2014.