The muscle behind a smile
The risorius is a thin facial muscle that pulls the corners of the mouth sideways. It is the reason a polite smile looks different from a real one: a genuine smile also lifts the cheeks and narrows the eyes.
Risorius
Small notes on faces, light and portrait photography.
Window light for portraits
A large north-facing window gives soft, even light that flatters almost every face. Put the subject at a forty-five degree angle to the glass and use a white sheet as a reflector on the shadow side.
Why 85mm
Short telephoto lenses keep facial proportions natural and let you stand at a comfortable talking distance. Wider lenses exaggerate the nose; longer ones flatten the face and separate you from your subject.