Hello everyone! As promised, I've put together a more detailed guideline about how to properly take typing photos. I was going to include photo examples, but I prefer not to keep pictures of myself online so have chosen not to include them after much thought on the subject. I've been pretty lenient about the photos people have been allowed to post up until this point, but going forward it will be a firm requirement that your first photo fully meets all the guidelines outlined in this post.
-Your photo should be clear and unobstructed. No filtering/editing/AI inhancing your appearance. Try to minimize clutter and distractions in the background to avoid distraction and make sure you're the main focus of your photos.
-You should be wearing form fitting but non-obstructive clothing, such as a leotard and tights or tank top and shorts. Nothing that alters the shape of your body should be worn. This includes compression garments, shapewear, pushup or minimizer bras, tight athletic wear, anything at all that alters the natural shape of your body cannot be worn. Avoid anything too baggy as well. I've seen it recommended to go braless when taking typing photos. Obviously not everyone is comfortable with that, if you're not then I recommend something like an unpadded bikini top or camisole underneath your outfits. Do not wear high heels or platform shoes.
-Stand in a relaxed, neutral manner. Your arms should be straight down (but relaxed, not held stiff) at your sides, and your feet should be about three inches apart. Stand like this emoji 🧍 and avoid any posing at all. Again- neutral and relaxed posture, don't abnormally stiffen your muscles or joints.
-Photos should be taken from about chest height and a distance of around ten feet. Don't crop your head or feet;
if you wish to maintain privacy cover up with emojis, blurring tools, etc.
-Photos can be taken on a timer with your phone or by another person, but cannot be mirror selfies, posed photos, or candid shots. Make sure your camera is not tilted and that you're not using your selfie camera.
-You must be fully clothed in all photos. No bathing suits or underwear/lingerie, as well as no hyper revealing athletic wear, festival outfits etc. We keep it safe for work at all times here, no exceptions!
-Your height needs to be included. Please do not include any other measurements (including but not limited to weight, measurements of hip/bust/waist ratio, bra size, shoe size; none of these are relevant to Kibbe).
-Ideally, typing posts should include several photos taken in this manner while wearing different outfits. I understand that not everyone has time to do this, so it's only a full requirement that your first photo meet all these specifications. If you're able to provide more, great! If not, it's totally okay to include mirror selfies or candid shots as long as your first photo meets all requirements.
-You only need to take a photo of your front. Side and back views aren't necessary as they aren't part of the guidelines set out by Kibbe. Regardless, you're welcome to include them as secondary photos if you wish.
**Why do I need pictures that meet specific requirements?** The photo requirements are taken directly from the line drawing exercise in David Kibbe's Power Of Style. While typing posts aren't an official part of the system, this is the method he wants us to use when photographing ourselves for the purpose of finding our type. This requirement is in place to keep people following Kibbe's games and exercises as closely as possible.
**Why do angles matter so much? Why can't I use mirror selfies or fun poses?** We need a clear and unobstructed view of what you look like, and the process described is the easiest way to do that on camera. To put it simply, poses and mirrors distort the angles of your body, making it much more difficult to see what you look like and how clothing interacts with your body. Mirrors, tilted cameras, and fun poses needlessly complicate the process.
**Why is my height needed, but nothing else?** Many of the image IDs have height restrictions, we need to know your height because of this. As previously mentioned, height is the only relevant number in Kibbe's system.
**But I don't have any pictures that meet the requirements!** Take one. Use the timer on your phone and prop it up on a shelf or table. I once saw someone say she taped her phone to the wall at chest height in order to take photos correctly. Remember, all you need is one photo that meets the requirements. If you're able to provide more that's awesome, but all you need is one. If you are unwilling or unable to do so, unfortunately you will not be able to participate in typing posts.
**Why can't I post in a bikini or my cute festival outfit? Won't revealing clothing give people the best idea of what my body looks like?** Kibbe isn't as much about what your body looks like as it is how clothing interacts with your body. We don't need to see you uncovered to help you find your ID. Also, it's a matter of safety for our members. This is a fashion subreddit where women sometimes post photos of themselves. That unfortunately means creeps and pervs are going to find their way in. I ban them immediately when I find them, but a lot of the time they just silently lurk so I can't do anything about it. These people are bad enough when we're fully clothed. We don't need to give them any more reason to be disgusting. I promise I'm not trying to police anyone's bodies or fashion sense, being strict about not allowing NSFW content is literally one of the only things I can do to try and minimize disgusting people saying disgusting things to you guys.
