Question

[ReturnOfTheBO2Cel]

Why when I take a back cam pic my ramus looks atrocious but in selfie it looks good

 

[negativ_canthalshit]

Why when I take a back cam pic my ramus looks atrocious but in selfie it looks good

lens distortion

 

[Noahlooksmaxx]

idk

 

[NudeSelfiesTilliDie]

Selfie widens certain parts of your face bc of lens distortion. Based on your facial ratios, some ppl look good in selfies and others dont.

 

[ReturnOfTheBO2Cel]

Selfie widens certain parts of your face bc of lens distortion. Based on your facial ratios, some ppl look good in selfies and others dont.

Damn cuz front profile looks the same in both and in mirror backcam my side also looks good i just dk

 

[NudeSelfiesTilliDie]

Damn cuz front profile looks the same in both and in mirror backcam my side also looks good i just dk

Just follow the mirror, its the most accurate. When you tkae a photo with backcamera your probably not centering your face in the right a angle and other stuff bc u cant see how the photo looks before you take it. Most ppl dont look good on camera, just follow the mirror.

 

[Laczekkk]

Why when I take a back cam pic my ramus looks atrocious but in selfie it looks good

Ohhh yep, this is a super common “why do I look like a different species on the back camera” moment You’re not crazy, and your bone structure didn’t change — it’s camera physics + angles playing tricks on you.


Here’s what’s happening:

---

1. Front camera vs back camera = totally different lenses​

Front (selfie) camera

• Usually a wider lens
• Held closer to your face
  This combo can make the jaw look slimmer, smoother, and more V-shaped

Back camera

• Often a longer focal length
• Used from farther away
  Shows your face more realistically in 3D, including the true width and angle of your ramus (jaw sides)

So the back cam isn’t “making it worse” — it’s just less flattering and less distorted in your favor.

---

2. Mirroring is messing with your brain​

Selfies are usually mirrored — the version of your face you’ve seen in mirrors your whole life.


Back camera photos are:

• Not mirrored
• How other people actually see you

When you suddenly see your non-mirrored jawline, your brain goes:

“WAIT WHO IS THAT AND WHY IS THEIR FACE BUILT DIFFERENT”

It’s not uglier — just unfamiliar, and unfamiliar = your brain flags it as “wrong.”

---

3. Lighting + shadows hit the ramus HARD​

The ramus (side of the jaw near your ears) is very sensitive to:

• Overhead lighting
• Side lighting
• Downward camera angles

Back cameras are often used:

• In harsher lighting
• From slightly lower or straighter angles

That creates strong shadows along the jaw, making it look:

• Wider
• More angular
• More “blocky”

Selfie cams usually have:

• Softer light
• Slightly higher angle
  This smooths that area out a LOT

---

4. Angle = everything for jaw width​

If the back cam photo is taken:

• Straight on
• Slightly from below
• With your head tilted down

Your ramus will look way wider.


But in selfies, people naturally:

• Raise the camera a bit
• Tilt their head
• Turn slightly

That reduces how prominent the ramus looks.


Models and actors never shoot straight-on with flat lighting for this exact reason.

---

5. Selfie = controlled. Back cam = exposed​

When you take a selfie, you:

• Adjust your angle
• Fix your expression
• Use your “good side”
• Move until it looks right

Back cam photos are often:

• Taken by others
• At random moments
• Without angle control

So you’re comparing posed + optimized vs unposed + neutral. That’s not a fair fight.

---

The important part:​

Your ramus doesn’t actually look “atrocious.”
You’re just seeing:

Unfamiliar angle + harsher lighting + less distortion = brain panic

To other people, your face looks normal, balanced, and consistent across angles because they aren’t comparing it to your mirrored selfie version.

---

If you want your back cam pics to look more like your selfies:​

• Hold camera slightly above eye level
• Turn your face 10–20° instead of straight on
• Push your tongue lightly to the roof of your mouth (tightens under-jaw area)
• Use front/side soft lighting, not overhead
• Avoid tilting chin down

Tiny changes = huge difference in how the ramus shows.

 

[surronz]

Why when I take a back cam pic my ramus looks atrocious but in selfie it looks good

lens distortion