According to a study, this is the most attractive photo angle!

Photo allow people to present themselves in a flattering light. Depending on the angle, you can give your face, and body a completely different appearance. A recent study even showed that this optimal photo angle can make you appear thinner !

Since the advent of cameras, we've generally tried to look our best in photos to capture a good moment. This trend has intensified in recent years with the popularity of selfies and social networks. For some, appearing thin in photos makes them feel beautiful, especially in an era where appearance is becoming increasingly important, and we spend our time exposing ourselves to others' eyes, especially with those famous selfies – even if it means "cheating" a bit.

For this, the angle of the photo plays a significant role, without necessarily needing to use tons of filters on the picture. A study published on October 11 in the scientific journal PLOS One reveals that people can appear slimmer in selfies than in photos taken from other angles. In the study, Ruth Knight and Catherine Preston, asked ten female models to dress in tight sports outfits and take photos of themselves or be photographed in various ways. For each participant, the following photos were taken:

• A selfie where she extends her arm;
• A photo taken by someone else;
• A self-portrait with the chin lowered;
• A selfie with a selfie stick;

The faces were excluded from the images, with the focus solely on the appearance of the bodies from different angles. The researchers then asked adult women aged 18 or older with no history of eating disorders to evaluate the weight and attractiveness of the models in the different photos. The result: participants tend to judge the bodies in the selfie images as slimmer than those in photos taken by an external person. Of the three selfie/self-portrait angles, the one with the lowered chin was considered less attractive – showing that it's essential to keep your head up! In conclusion: we appear slimmer in selfies than in those taken by our friends!

The study suggests that the angles from which selfies are taken can distort body size perceptions, often not reflecting reality and potentially being more harmful to individuals vulnerable to eating disorders. Participants with more symptoms of eating disorders showed a preference for selfies over other photos, highlighting concerns about the impact of social media on body image. Dr. Ruth Knight notes the importance of understanding how we perceive these images to mitigate negative effects on body satisfaction and the risk of eating disorders. Despite the study's limited sample size, it reinforces the issue of social media fostering unrealistic body images, increasing mental pressure, particularly among young girls striving to present an idealized self-image.