Standard views of the face: frontal, oblique and profile

The standard views of the face are the photographic poses used to document the face in a comparable way: frontal, oblique (also called three-quarter) and profile. Each view shows aspects that the others hide, and together they make up the patient's visual record in the patient file. Standardizing them is what makes it possible to compare before and after honestly.

What does each view show?

In each view, the face is usually photographed at rest and smiling, which gives information about dynamics, as discussed in photo at rest and smiling. Close-up photos of the area of concern, such as the lip or the tear trough, can complete the set.

How do you standardize?

Small variations already distort the reading. A closer camera enlarges the nose, a slightly raised chin changes the angle of the neck, and side lighting creates shadows that look like volume.

What are they for in planning and follow-up?

The views help the professional observe the face systematically, talk with the patient about their concerns and document the starting point. At the follow-up visit, repeating the same views allows changes over time to be assessed, as long as the conditions were the same. They do not replace the in-person clinical exam.

Honest comparison

A comparison is only fair when both photos follow the same conditions. Before and after photos with different light, angle or expression do not prove a result and can mislead the patient and the public. This applies to any publication, which must respect the rules of your professional council.

In Harmy

Harmy works with one frontal photo per session. There are no profile or oblique photos inside the app, and the projection uses only the frontal view. The other views can be taken outside the app, in the clinic's patient record. In the actual result feature, guided capture shows the "before" photo as a transparent overlay on the camera.

Also called: standard poses, facial photographic views.