When I read ugly, I thought of face. It struck a cord because I often think that to myself when being shot from an up angle. Not sure if it is shadows or just shape but I often think ugly when I see the pictures, except for those few exceptions. When it comes to body, you are right on. The up angle is wonderful for lengthening and slimming. Usually very flattering to the body.

Bobbie, I don't think my original blog was entirely clear. Their concern was not about the effect on their faces, but on the appearance of their bodies. They assured me that shooting from below made them look fat, which is far from my experience.

In what I have observed it is a far more complicated than up angle versus down angle. I believe that it is very much a situation by situation basis. I am one of those that really prefer pictures of myself that are taken from the down angle, even just slight. It seems to be far more flattering to the shape of my face. Once in a while the situation will be right, or my face is at the right angle and I will like an up angle shot. I am fortunate that my body type doesn't require further elongation that the up angle provides so if given the choice, I would prefer the down angle. I know of people that look just gorgeous when shot from an up angle. I don't see angle as a one fits all situation. I really feel that it is dependent on the pose, lighting, body type and face shape that dictates the right angle to capture an individual at their best.

You may be right, Peter, but carrying that damned stool around the floor of the trade show is a real pain in the ass.

Yes, the models were correct. You should always stand such that you are shooting down on models with your camera at at least a 60° angle to the model. Being 6-1, you are a little short to be a real good glamor photographer, but you could always bring one of those small step stools with you. Shooting down on a model gives a great glamor look - bulbous forehead, square shoulders, snake hips...sooooo sexy.

Don't underestimate the intelligence of models - very little gets by them. I had one refuse to be shot by me because she did not want to be shot by a "toy camera." I deferred to her intellect and took my IIIf and went home.