Grow taller visually

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Look into camera from top to bottom

People perceive person differently when filmed from different angles.

When someone looks at us from above, we feel as if we are in the position of a child. The person appears dominant, and we become submissive. For example, on television, leaders are filmed from a low angle to emphasize their power.

On the contrary, when filmed from a high angle, the object is compressed and appears smaller. When TV operators wants to diminish someone, they film them from above.

Image. On the left, astronaut Yuri Gagarin. The low angle emphasizes his high achievements. On the right, fraudster Bernie Madoff. The photo after his arrest highlights his current diminished status.

Research shows that optimal camera perspective to increase person’s height is 9-12° below eye level. Perception worsens with lower angle.

the audience could feel looked down at by the leader, which might trigger adverse sentiments¹

The effect of the angle occurs less in women than in men. Shooting at eye level or slightly below is better choice for women.

When shooting, look straight into the camera.

Image. Photo of a man in different vertical angles, from left to right: -18° -9° 0° 9° 18°.

If you want to show your mood more exactly then refer to these values:

Angle °	Values
-40…-19	Strong, Bold, Aggressive
-18…-9	Intelligent, Interesting, Sociable
0	Attractive, Influential, Likable
9…18	Competent, Persuasive, Submissive
19…40	Weak, Scared, Passive

1. Hoffmann, A., Maran, T., & Marin, M. M. (2023). The Perspective Makes the Leader: The Camera Perspective in a Leader Photograph Shapes Their Charismatic Effect and Observers’ Approval. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/15480518231191979 ↩

Posted on 15 May 2023