Why do I look fat in the frame? Solving a common problem

Do you look great when you look in the mirror, but it looks like you’ve gained 10 extra pounds in pictures? If you answered yes, you are not alone. It’s a pretty common problem, but we know a way to solve it. Read our article and take great photos! And if you want to process a picture to make it even better, read about free photo editors for PC on Skylum’s blog.

So why do I look fat in the photo?

Surprising as it may sound, science can provide the answer. How big a person looks in the frame is influenced by:

• the width of the camera lens;

• angles;

• the focal length.

This means that you should not evaluate yourself the way the camera shows you. It is much better to look in the mirror because there are far fewer factors that can show a distorted image. Let’s take a closer look at these factors.

Lens width

One of the most important things to understand about how you will look in the frame is the width of the lens. If the shot is taken with a wide-angle lens, anything that gets caught in it will look bigger, and vice versa. This is the reason why smartphone photos may not look good to you. Their cameras are equipped with wide-angle lenses.

Focal length

The focal length of the lens determines the angle of view. The narrower it is (i.e. the “longer” the lens), the narrower the angle of view. For example, if you take pictures with an 85mm lens, you will look much better than with a 35mm lens. Here’s a painfully familiar example. The driver’s license photos are taken with a “short” lens. Are there many people who look good on them?

Posture and pose

Yes, this is not a technical point, but it also has a big impact. If you want to make a good picture, remember the advice your parents gave you as a child. Stand up straight, don’t slouch, and don’t hunch over.

Top tips on how to look thinner in the frame

So, we looked at the reasons, and now it’s time to move on to useful tips. We’re sure you’ll look a lot better in your photos if you listen to them.

Keep your distance

A lot depends on the distance. It’s especially important when shooting landscapes, although don’t underestimate its importance in portraits. The right distance can make the picture better or worse.

To get a great shot, you should shoot from a distance of about five feet. You can get a little closer or a little farther (about) a foot away to find your ideal shooting spot. Remember that a distance of fewer than four feet will cause your facial features to be distorted and the face itself to appear chubbier.

Look for the right lens

As we said, a short focal length makes your face look wider. So what to do? That’s right, find a “long” lens. With it, you’ll be able to make an objective picture.

Show your neck

Your posture plays a very important role. If you stand up straight, your stomach will not move forward, but if you are hunched over, it will definitely happen. The easiest way to keep your posture is to stretch your neck. If you do this, you will not only look slimmer but also taller.

Pay attention to your arms

It often happens that, if not properly prepared, the hands look bigger in the frame than they do in the mirror. It all depends on the place and position of how you place them, so don’t rush to get upset.

The most unfortunate option is to keep your hands pressed against your body. Then you definitely won’t get a good photo. It would be much better to create some smooth lines, for example keeping them at the waist or on the hips. Then there will be a little distance between them and your body.

Pick the right clothes

As clichéd as it sounds, thick layered clothes make you look bigger. If it’s also multicolored, you can’t count on a good photo. So you need to pick the right clothes to make sure your camera doesn’t add extra pounds to your body. We recommend monochromatic colors and an outfit that fits you perfectly.

Conclusion

So, we found out that if you look fat in the frame, it is not a reason to get upset, because it does not depend on your weight. We have seen many examples of how fragile girls looked much bigger than they really were when they neglected the basic rules of photography. Try our tips and we are sure that you will succeed!

If you managed to achieve the desired result, don’t stop there. Post-processing will make the picture even better. We recommend reading about the best free photo editors for PC on Skylum’s blog. We are sure that you will find an app for yourself there.