Perceived Facial Distortions in Selfies Are Explained by Viewing Habits

To the Editor In their recent article, Ward et al analyze the effect of camera distance on the relative sizes of facial dimensions in photographs. They argue that these dimensions are distorted in "selfies"—photographs that people take of themselves with a smartphone camera at arm's length. Given the increasing popularity of selfies, they express concern that such photographs affect decisions about cosmetic medical procedures. We agree with the authors' calculations of facial dimensions in photographs. We wish, however, to clarify the cause of perceived nasal widening in selfies. The perceived nasal widening is not, as the authors suggest, due to physical distortion in the photographs.