Easy as Pie Head Angle Quiz

[Arthur Morris]

This is Image A. Please compare it with Image B in the next pane.

Which image has a better head angle?

[Arthur Morris]

This is Image B. Let me know which image has a better head angle and why. These two images were created especially for Eager to Learn. But do know that folks are posting images with poor head angles in Avian, Wildlife, and even Out of the Box on a regular basis.

[Arthur Morris]

To learn more about Head Angle visit here and here and here.

The first link is to the Head Angle Police tutorial. The second is to Head Angle Philosophies. And the third to Head Angle Fine Points (an on-going thread).

[James Shadle]

How many guesses do I get?

After reading the links Artie posted, guessing won't be necessary.

[Lance Peters]

Do check out the links - great info in there and well worth a read!!!!!

[Arthur Morris]

How many guesses do I get?

Nikon shooters get four guesses on this one :p

[Alan Lillich]

I shoot Nikon, my 4 guesses are B, B, B, and B. I like the engagement. And now that I know to look for it from the other series, I can see what you mean about the light on the face. The area behind the eye in A is rather dark and shadowed, B is more open and has more balanced tonality.

thanks teach,
Alan

[Arthur Morris]

All four correct. And I am thrilled that you are seeing the difference in the light on the face. Now let's see if some Canon shooters get it wrong :)

[Mark Young]

Quite an interesting read! Thanks for the links.

[pat lillich]

interesting reading - the part about the angle of the beak and the plane of the eye makes a lot of sense and supports my knee-jerk preference for B. that shot also has the lighter ring around the eye that makes it show up much more than in A (part of the difference in the light on the face)

[Jamie Douglas]

Canon and I say B, head angle is facing and more engaging, nicer eye contact and pose. It also shows that the photographer thought about the image and subject rather than just a quick snap and then next! Knowing a good head angle from a bad one also helps me select keepers pre processing. Is it also fair to say the bokeh of the grass in the background is less distracting in shot B being because it is further from the head?

Jamie

[VinceRossi]

I shoot Canon ......I say B Because the info around the eye is more visible then A.

[Arthur Morris]

Yes, in A the bird's head is turned away from us, the head is less visible, and the light--even though it is soft, cannot illuminate the face.

The quiz is pretty much over :) Everyone is urged to study the various links to the ER threads so they can learn to push the shutter button when the head angle is just right in a given situation.