Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

For best visual impact, what should be maintained in a head and shoulders pose?

1. Camera angle

2. Lens height

3. Lighting direction

4. Background color

The correct answer is: Lens height

Maintaining lens height is crucial in a head and shoulders pose as it directly influences the subject's perspective and the overall composition of the image. Proper lens height ensures that the camera captures the subject's features accurately and avoids any distortion that can happen when the camera is positioned too high or too low. When the lens is at eye level, it creates a more engaging and natural connection between the subject and the viewer, enhancing both expressiveness and emotional impact. This straightforward approach also helps in showcasing the details of the face and shoulders effectively, which is the focus of this pose. While aspects such as camera angle, lighting direction, and background color certainly impact the overall aesthetics of a photograph, they are secondary to the foundational concern of lens height in this context. Getting the lens height right plays a fundamental role in achieving the intended visual impact, particularly for head and shoulders compositions that need to emphasize the subject's features clearly and attractively.