What can you do if you’re not photogenic?
I’ve lost count of how often I've heard the phrase "I'm not photogenic."
Anytime I even remotely mention anything to do with cameras or taking pictures, just in passing, people feel almost obligated to pause the conversation just to announce in neon lights their lack of photogenic-ness. It’s as if they all feel that they alone are among some of the worst people to ever exist in photographs.
And to be fair, without knowing what I know, or if I’m not trying (and trust me, I need to try pretty hard), I feel this way too.
It’s like, anytime someone sees a photo of me I ALWAYS get, "You look soooo much better in real life." It's practically a reflex response now. And it’s always one of those shots I mentioned when I’m not trying really-really-really hard. And you know what? They're not wrong. Those candid shots can be brutal!
I guess the upside is that they’re paying me a reverse compliment, and are saying in a round-about way that I look good in person (I’ll take the win). On the downside, the fact that so many people are willing to risk the social awkwardness of telling me to my face just how awful I look in pictures just goes to show how truly horrifying I look in an average snap-shot.
So, as someone who's experienced more than their fair share of unflattering photos, I, in addition to being a photographer, feel qualified to share some eye-opening news about why you might feel you’re sooo unphotogenic…
Because it’s not your job to be photogenic!
That's right – the burden isn't on you. You're not the problem. Phew.
Unless you're a professional model, the responsibility (and the blame) for getting great pictures lies squarely with the photographer.
It's their job to make you look photogenic; not yours!
Their role is to transform you into the best amateur model you can be.
And let's be clear, this isn’t about digitally altering you until you resemble a sizzling Sports Illustrated model – it's about showcasing the best version of yourself.
In fact, I've discovered no correlation between supermodel looks and the ability to create stunning pictures.
Here’s some shocking proof:
Before you is a fantastic photograph of Steve Buscemi. Usually, with his protruding eyes, large long forehead, and soft jawline, he's not exactly considered a heartthrob by any stretch of the imagination. But in this shot... dare I say it... he looks handsome!
In case you don’t recognise him in this shot, here’s what he usually looks like in more casual candid pictures:
So what’s the key to being photogenic?
We’ve all had the experience of seeing someone’s photos before meeting them, and then being surprised by meeting them in person. They’re not what you were expecting.
It may be a simple matter of them looking different to their pictures, but there could also be an element where you felt like you slightly knew them through their pictures, and then they turned out not to be like that at all.
And here lies the crux of the matter: what captures our attention in the flesh doesn't always come across the same way when you flatten it out into two dimensions. It’s like these are 2 separate realms where the same laws of physics just don’t apply.
Perspective works differently in photographs, lots of details can get lost, and charisma all needs to come across through the lines of the body - your ability to tell a good joke, or the cool calming vibes you give off count for almost nothing in the 2D world.
Those we deem to be photogenic, whether by accident or design, are those who look appealing in a flat image once all the 2D land distortions and translations have taken place.
However, It's not just about physical beauty; it's also about the overall appeal of the composition—lines, shapes, colors, and textures that make the image visually interesting. Additionally, charisma and personality coming across in the image can likewise make someone photogenic.
And while some features don't always translate well into 2D, being aware of how this process happens, and knowing how to counteract it can make a massive difference.
And this right here ladies and gentlemen is why it’s the photographer's responsibility to make you look good. They should know this stuff right?!
I suppose this is why I’m not too bothered about not always looking my best in casual snapshots. I at least know WHY, and if I care to, I can do something about it.
In case you’re curious, it boils down to my facial structure—kind of flat, with small cheekbones, a modest brow ridge, and a broad, flat forehead that subtly curves into the sides of my head. While I look perfectly fine in person, photographs lack the depth and detail our eyes capture, leaving my features appearing flatter and undefined in 2D. It’s hard to sometimes make out where my chin stops and my neck starts.
Knowing how photos tend to flatten features, I’m able to get ahead of things. I could pump up my facial definition in all sorts of ways such as using higher contrast lighting, posing with my chin sticking out a little more, or using my hair to create shadows and depth to the sides of my face. I could even apply contrasting makeup so when the definition is erased in the final picture, I just look like I normally do.
How can a photographer help bring out your photogenic side?
Photographers have lots of tricks up their sleeve to help bring your best self out on the page– and we’re not talking about cameras, lenses, or equipment here.
It’s things like knowledge of what makes a visually appealing image, and how to analyze someone's body and features to work out what angles and poses are going to best enhance your natural real estate, to make it all come alive in a single flat image.
They adjust angles, lighting, and various other tools to highlight your best features. And if they're any good, they'll give you all the cues you need, so you won't be left awkwardly wondering what to do with your hands or how to smile.
You shouldn't feel overwhelmed by the need to pose or manage expressions—the photographer's job is to provide clear direction throughout the process. If they fail to do so, they're simply not doing their job!
Photography secrets revealed: a peek behind the curtain...
I’m going to let you in on a few tricks of the trade to show you what really goes into transforming someone into, well, someone photogenic.
I will reveal all to let you in on some of the techniques the photographer used to turn Steve Buscemi from eccentric looking to a classically handsome man…
But, before we dive in, I need to set the record straight about Steve's face. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it! In fact, he's made a career out of his unique looks, playing some truly memorable characters along the way.
And truth be told, most people who are worried about being photogenic don’t even want an ‘extreme makeover’. They just want to feel comfortable and natural in front of the camera.
That being said, I'm revealing this transformation to highlight the power of photography. Many believe cameras are truth-telling devices, but trust me, there's more to it than meets the eye. I want to show you just how much you can alter someone’s appearance with the camera, and a few carefully chosen poses.
From quirky to classically handsome
Let's begin by taking a good look at Steve's facial features, highlighting some of the more distinctive aspects, and revealing the photographer's techniques to bring out a more conventionally handsome side.
His protruding eyes, with large lower lid:
Typically Steve's most distinctive feature is his prominent eyes, especially his large lower lids. However, in this black and white shot, his eyes don’t appear to be sticking out at all.
On close inspection, it appears that the photographer has used lighting and editing to minimize the presence of strong shadows, particularly under the eyes.
This creates the appearance of his eyes sitting flatter against his face, because you’d expect to see a shadow under his eyes if they were protruding wouldn’t you? Hence, the absence of a distinct shadow fools our perception into perceiving his eyes as flatter than they truly are.
His narrow & softly defined jawline:
Steve usually sports a jawline that's long and narrow, gradually tapering down to his neck. But in this black and white photo, his jawline appears broader and seems to angle more sharply at the point where his jaw and neck meet. So how was this achieved?
Firstly, Steve is posed with his hand covering part of his chin, with his thumb pressing against its side. This not only creates chin definition, but also creates a mental image of the jaw area being larger than it really is as it remains concealed.
Secondly, the line of his outer ear is perfectly aligned with the contour of his jawline, visually elongating and broadening it.
Thirdly, there are very few deep shadows on his face, which creates an unbroken visual line spanning ear to ear, giving the illusion of more width throughout the mid-face.
Lastly, deliberate shadowing under the jaw and around the chin enhances the appearance of a chiseled jawline, likely enhanced further during editing.
His long forehead & wispy hairline:
In the black and white shot, Steve's forehead appears more broader than long, and there are no apparent signs of his hairline having thinned out a bit. What's the secret behind this?
Firstly, it seems that the shot was taken from a slightly low angle, with the camera looking up at Steve. Due to the camera's heightened effects of perspective, where objects closer to the camera appear larger and those further away appear smaller than they otherwise would be, this angle makes his chin and jaw appear slightly larger while minimizing the vertical appearance of his forehead.
Secondly, as mentioned earlier, the absence of strong shadows across his face contributes to a sense of overall broadness. Without shadows to define the sides of his face, including his forehead, it appears wider rather than taller.
Lastly, editing plays a role in the image's final appearance. In black and white, the image is somewhat abstracted from its usual context, allowing for more subtle editing adjustments. In this case, Steve's hair has been darkened to create a more solid appearance, particularly around the hairline, minimizing the appearance of thinning.
His lanky looking body:
Steve appears long and lean throughout his body. While we've discussed techniques to broaden his face, this effect extends to his entire physique.
Steve's body is positioned almost front-on, accentuating the width of his shoulders and contributing to an overall broadening effect.
Furthermore, his hair appears voluminous, possibly achieved with hairspray or styling techniques, with strands flicking out to the sides, adding even further to the impression of width.
Painting: the ultimate tool to flatter our subject without the image looking fake or ‘photoshopped’
It would be incomplete to talk about how to transform you into your most photogenic self without discussing our most potent tool: painting.
Unlike with pure photography, where concerns about over-editing can arise, painting allows us to wield our artistic license a little more freely (and get away with it mind you!).
For a start, a finely crafted painted portrait is inherently beautiful. Many renowned painted portraits throughout history feature faces that wouldn't grace the cover of a magazine. Yet, these portraits contain an emotional depth and exquisite craftsmanship that is beautiful in and of itself.
Putting aside the inherent beauty of painted portraits, here are 3 typical ways I use painted techniques to enhance the allure of my subjects:
Using broader strokes over ‘fine lines’
With painting, the emphasis shifts away from meticulously portraying every freckle, strand of hair, or wrinkle. Instead, the focus is on capturing the broader shapes and essential features that define a person's face and figure.
While certain areas like the facial outline, nose, and eyes require attention to detail, minor aspects such as laugh lines or specific skin textures may not be as critical to render.
Sometimes, a single well-placed stroke can convey the essence of someone's likeness without needing to delve into intricate details. For instance, outlining the general shape of the forehead can effectively capture the individual's likeness without needing to paint in any expression lines.
A bit of freehand is expected
In the world of painting, expectations differ from those of photography.
While we expect a painting to resemble its subject, there's room for the artist's unique flair. They might play with colors, introduce distinctive marks, and emphasize certain features.
In a painted portrait, if the artwork captures the likeness of the subject, minor deviations from the source photograph often go unnoticed. What matters is the overall portrayal.
Painting grants artists creative freedom. They can strategically add "shadows" to mask flaws, use vibrant colors to infuse life, or highlight features to accentuate their beauty.
Think of painters as makeup artists, but instead of applying pigment to faces, they wield brushes on a canvas!
Artistically leaving bits out
In our portraits, we create a painterly background that integrates the figures seamlessly.
This approach not only creates a unified composition, but also allows us to decide where the transition between the subject and the background occurs. Typically, we emphasize the head and shoulders while softly blending the rest of the body into the background.
We often choose to place these ‘transitions’ in areas you may be worried about such as the tummy and arms. With some body parts partially faded into the background, they’re not on full display, and we’re able to fade out the outline of the body into its most flattering form.
Ugly photo ducklings: get ready for your swan moment!
The truth is that with the right skills and techniques, tossed in with a little planning, even the most unphotogenic among us can be transformed into their most photogenic self.
Are you up for the challenge?