Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

To reduce distortion in full-length portraits, where should the camera be placed?

1. Above the subject's head

2. At shoulder level

3. At the subject's waist level

4. Beneath the subject's waist

The correct answer is: At the subject's waist level

Placing the camera at the subject's waist level is effective in reducing distortion in full-length portraits because this positioning helps maintain a natural perspective. When the camera is at this height, it aligns more closely with the subject's proportions and structure, capturing the figure realistically without exaggerating features such as the head or feet. Positioning the camera too high, such as above the subject’s head, can lead to a downward angle that may make the body appear smaller or the head larger than it is, which distorts the perception of the subject. Conversely, placing the camera below the waists can lead to upward distortion, making the limbs appear longer and altering the subject's proportions unfavorably. Using shoulder-level placement can work, but waist level often strikes a better balance for full-length portraits by capturing the subject in a way that reflects their true size and shape more accurately.