Photogenic
Encyclopedia
A subject is photogenic if appearing aesthetically
or physically attractive
or appealing in photograph
s. Photogenic drawing, coined by William Fox Talbot
, also describes the earliest method for recording camera images.
The state of being photogenic may or may not necessarily be related to one's physical attractiveness in real life
. Models
are usually described as photogenic. The bone structure of their faces may represent something that is not generally pretty or may be even unattractive or frail looking, but when photographed, their features can turn into something that is physically attractive.
There are a few different possible causes for this. First, it is important to understand the difference between looking at someone with two eyes and through a single camera lens. With two eyes, the human brain is able to see the three dimensional aspects of someone's face, even when viewed directly from the front, and it gives much more information than most cameras. With a camera, the subject is viewed through a single lens, and thus much of the three dimensional qualities of the face are lost, and the face may appear to be fuller than it actually is in real life (which is the reason for the expression that "the camera adds ten pounds"), or with different proportions, especially when viewed at a close proximity. An interesting effect can be seen if one compares a close up picture of someone's face to a picture taken from twenty feet away from the same angle (particularly while directly facing the camera). The face will appear different in each picture, and the farther shot will give a better representation of the person's true three dimensional appearance. A more detailed explanation of this concept can be found in the US patent document for the "imaginograph".
Since most photographs have the subject looking directly into the camera, those with less flattering side profiles (such as those with a weak chin or a curved nose) are at an advantage. In real life, we rate a person's face based on their appearance from not just the front, but also other angles, but in most photos, only the front view is available to make the judgment.
Another explanation for the fact that attractive people are not always photogenic is that part of their attractiveness may be due to the charisma
they bear in real life due to the way they move, express, and carry themselves. While this will positively influence the subjective
appearance of that person in real life, a still photograph usually fails to reproduce these attributes, possibly rendering a picture of the person less attractive than the real-life perception
and contributing to classify that person as less photogenic.
The lighting when the shot is taken can also have a large effect on a person's perceived attractiveness. Also, a person's face may look different depending on the angle and intensity of the light being reflected off the face. This effect is magnified when a flash camera is used and may cause undesirable features, such as ridges or bumps to appear more pronounced than they otherwise would. Also, lighter skin tones and features may appear washed out when taken from a flash camera.
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
or physically attractive
Physical attractiveness
Physical attractiveness refers to a person's physical traits which are perceived to be aesthetically pleasing or beautiful. The term often implies sexual attractiveness or desirability, but can also be distinct from the two; for example, humans may regard the young as attractive for various...
or appealing in photograph
Photograph
A photograph is an image created by light falling on a light-sensitive surface, usually photographic film or an electronic imager such as a CCD or a CMOS chip. Most photographs are created using a camera, which uses a lens to focus the scene's visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of...
s. Photogenic drawing, coined by William Fox Talbot
William Fox Talbot
William Henry Fox Talbot was a British inventor and a pioneer of photography. He was the inventor of calotype process, the precursor to most photographic processes of the 19th and 20th centuries. He was also a noted photographer who made major contributions to the development of photography as an...
, also describes the earliest method for recording camera images.
The state of being photogenic may or may not necessarily be related to one's physical attractiveness in real life
Real life
Real life is a term usually used to denote actual human life lived by real people in contrast with the lives of fictional or fantasy characters.-Usage online and in fiction:On the Internet, "real life" refers to life in the real world...
. Models
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
are usually described as photogenic. The bone structure of their faces may represent something that is not generally pretty or may be even unattractive or frail looking, but when photographed, their features can turn into something that is physically attractive.
There are a few different possible causes for this. First, it is important to understand the difference between looking at someone with two eyes and through a single camera lens. With two eyes, the human brain is able to see the three dimensional aspects of someone's face, even when viewed directly from the front, and it gives much more information than most cameras. With a camera, the subject is viewed through a single lens, and thus much of the three dimensional qualities of the face are lost, and the face may appear to be fuller than it actually is in real life (which is the reason for the expression that "the camera adds ten pounds"), or with different proportions, especially when viewed at a close proximity. An interesting effect can be seen if one compares a close up picture of someone's face to a picture taken from twenty feet away from the same angle (particularly while directly facing the camera). The face will appear different in each picture, and the farther shot will give a better representation of the person's true three dimensional appearance. A more detailed explanation of this concept can be found in the US patent document for the "imaginograph".
Since most photographs have the subject looking directly into the camera, those with less flattering side profiles (such as those with a weak chin or a curved nose) are at an advantage. In real life, we rate a person's face based on their appearance from not just the front, but also other angles, but in most photos, only the front view is available to make the judgment.
Another explanation for the fact that attractive people are not always photogenic is that part of their attractiveness may be due to the charisma
Charisma
The term charisma has two senses: 1) compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others, 2) a divinely conferred power or talent. For some theological usages the term is rendered charism, with a meaning the same as sense 2...
they bear in real life due to the way they move, express, and carry themselves. While this will positively influence the subjective
Subjectivity
Subjectivity refers to the subject and his or her perspective, feelings, beliefs, and desires. In philosophy, the term is usually contrasted with objectivity.-Qualia:...
appearance of that person in real life, a still photograph usually fails to reproduce these attributes, possibly rendering a picture of the person less attractive than the real-life perception
Perception
Perception is the process of attaining awareness or understanding of the environment by organizing and interpreting sensory information. All perception involves signals in the nervous system, which in turn result from physical stimulation of the sense organs...
and contributing to classify that person as less photogenic.
The lighting when the shot is taken can also have a large effect on a person's perceived attractiveness. Also, a person's face may look different depending on the angle and intensity of the light being reflected off the face. This effect is magnified when a flash camera is used and may cause undesirable features, such as ridges or bumps to appear more pronounced than they otherwise would. Also, lighter skin tones and features may appear washed out when taken from a flash camera.