PHOTO QUALITY
When readings are unreliable.
A face number without a photo story is noise. These are the five forces that move landmarks around — and how Aureon Labs labels results it cannot stand behind.
1 · Light sculpts false contours
Overhead or side light carves shadows the detector reads as edges: deeper nasolabial folds, a heavier jawline, asymmetric brightness mistaken for asymmetric structure. Shoot facing soft daylight — window or open shade, no direct sun, no single-side lamp.
2 · Angle rewrites projection
Pitch the chin down and the forehead shortens; tilt up and the jaw weakens; yaw a few degrees and symmetry readings swing. Head level, camera at eye height, gaze straight into the lens. For side views the tolerance is even tighter — see the profile photo guide.
3 · The lens lies at arm’s length
Front cameras are wide-angle: at 30cm they enlarge whatever is closest (nose) and compress the rest (chin, jaw). Rear camera, 2+ meters, slight crop afterwards. This single change removes most “different every photo” complaints.
4 · Expression moves every landmark
Smiling lifts the cheeks, narrows the eyes and shortens the lower third; raised brows stretch the forehead thirds. Neutral face, lips closed, teeth unclenched — the only expression comparable across re-scans.
5 · Styling hides structure
Beards obscure the jaw and chin contour; heavy fringe shortens measured forehead height; glasses shift eye-region landmarks. Aureon Labs does not guess through occlusion — covered contours return “unavailable for this photo” instead of a fabricated number.
How to read the four confidence states
Reference-backed — measured against population ranges. Exploratory — computed, target range still validating, treat as directional. Limited by photo quality — re-scan better before acting. Unavailable — this photo cannot support it, full stop. Try the overlay demo to check a photo before you trust it.
QUALITY FAQ
Questions about photo quality.
Why is my face rating different in every photo?
Because the photo changed, not your face. Lighting direction, head angle, lens distance, expression and hair all move landmark positions. Same setup, same lighting, neutral expression — that is the only comparison that means anything.
Does lens distortion change face measurements?
Yes. Wide-angle front cameras at arm’s length enlarge the nose and compress the chin and jaw. Use the rear camera from at least 2 meters away for proportions that reflect how you look in person.
What does Limited by photo quality mean?
It is one of four Aureon Labs confidence states. It means pose, lighting or landmark confidence reduced certainty for that reading — treat it as directional, and re-scan with a better photo before acting on it.
Control your setup, then trust the reading.
Informational analysis only — not medical advice.