Head Canting
Have you ever noticed that some people, when their picture is taken, tilt their head to the side? The behavior is called head canting. I never knew this until I stumbled upon an article titled "Head Canting In Paintings: An Historical Study" in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior (Spring 2001).Some factoids about head canting:
- Researchers speculate that it's a submissive gesture. Erving Goffman described it as "a form of ingratiation or appeasement achieved by reducing one's overall height."
- The authors of the "Head Canting in Paintings" article examined 1498 figures in the works of 11 painters from the 14th to the 20th centuries. They concluded that, throughout history, head canting has been associated with submissiveness:
religious and mythological figures exhibited much more head canting than commissioned portraits. This finding supports the idea that head canting is strongly connected with the expression of submission, appeasement, ingratiation, and request for protection... In contrast, in paintings portraying nobles, professionals, and artists, head canting was minimal or absent.
- Some googling about the subject also uncovered this bit of trivia:
Head-tilting was a signature cue of method actor James Dean. Dean's head-tilts seemed to say, as East of Eden director, Elia Kazan put it, "Pity me, I'm too sensitive for the world."
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
I'd guess that conversational body language includes ear-cocking, nodding, chin-thrusting, and other head moves. Maybe still images that are intended to convey "listening" or paying attention, or other conversational qualities involve the head tilt. People used to pose for hours for these portraits, so it must not be an accident. This is an abject common-sense guess on my part.
Posted by BPScooter on 08/27 at 01:12 AM
My sister took a photo of me the other day and afterwards laughed and said 'It's so cute - every time I take a photo of you, you cock your head to one side!'
So I guess I'm a serial head canter!
So I guess I'm a serial head canter!
Posted by Nettie on 08/27 at 03:43 AM
For what it's worth, Alexander the Great is said to have had a habit of tilting his head to the right when listening or thinking.
As a more prosaic consideration-- anyone who's ever done amateur modeling also knows that it's generally far more flattering to have your head at an angle to the viewer than straight on, and the same applies vertically as horizontally.
As a more prosaic consideration-- anyone who's ever done amateur modeling also knows that it's generally far more flattering to have your head at an angle to the viewer than straight on, and the same applies vertically as horizontally.
Posted by Hypatia on 08/27 at 06:38 AM
Let us not forget the premier contemporary head cantologist. David Caruso of CSI Miami fame. His head canting takes it to another level by including his whole body and some cocky sunglass swiping.
Posted by Danny on 08/27 at 06:40 AM
Nettie -- I looked back at the pictures from Edinburgh. You are a serial head canter!!! How funny!
But when you do it, it's cute. If I were to do it, it would look like I had something wrong with my neck.
But when you do it, it's cute. If I were to do it, it would look like I had something wrong with my neck.
Posted by Alex on 08/27 at 07:49 AM
My sweetie and I always tilt our heads when somebody takes a picture of us, particularly at family gatherings. We don't do it as a submissive gesture, more like a "You're gonna take our picture when we don't want you to? There you go. Enjoy." gesture.
Posted by Joan in Dallas on 08/27 at 08:02 AM
I don't think I do it. Does that mean I'm arrogant or something? 
Posted by MadCarlotta on 08/27 at 08:43 AM
I saw a show on Discovery Health about a tot whose head was always tilted. It turned out to be something with his eye, and once they fixed it he kept his head up straight.
Posted by John on 08/27 at 09:59 AM
I flipped through some photos in my camera...I don't do it when I'm alone in the picture. I tilt my head closer to another person if I'm not alone.
But I read something in a magazine about "taking a good picture" and it talked about turning or tilting your head slightly, rather than having the picture taken straight on. I have very small eyes, and when my picture is too straight on, they also look very close together b/c the bridge of my nose is rather thin.
But I read something in a magazine about "taking a good picture" and it talked about turning or tilting your head slightly, rather than having the picture taken straight on. I have very small eyes, and when my picture is too straight on, they also look very close together b/c the bridge of my nose is rather thin.
Posted by Maegan on 08/27 at 10:22 AM
Hypatia is right with the amateur modeling comment.
For most people, it may just be a case of them having one very heavy ear.
For most people, it may just be a case of them having one very heavy ear.
Posted by Madd Maxx in New Orleans on 08/27 at 10:26 AM
Gah! I do this. I try to fight it for ID pictures with the result of tilting my head back...
Posted by Wayne in Kenosha on 08/28 at 02:39 AM
I think Maegan is the closest. People angle their heads to minimize perceived imperfections in their appearance. That can touch on "Submissive" behavior, but I think that it would be better described as insecure behavior for some. I don't think it really hides much. But, there is a subjective effect on the observer of the photo. When you look at a photo of someone who has canted their head at an angle, it requires a little more effort to make a judgement about their appearance, about whether they are attractive, or ugly. And that might be the payoff of the behavior.
Posted by David Rochlin in Ione, Washington State on 08/28 at 05:10 PM
@David: I agree 100%, I think I do it to look less "thuggish"
Posted by Wayne in Kenosha on 08/29 at 12:48 AM
Apparently, I, too, am a serial head-tilter
Posted by joelogon on 08/31 at 06:12 PM
This is so interesting.
I am pretty sure that I am not a head-tilter, but I'd have to look over my photos and don't have the time right now.
I do have a terrible habit of making a ridiculously overdone, open-mouthed happy face in most pictures--I think that's probably because I feel awkward and choose to goof around rather than just suck it up and smile like a normal person.
I am pretty sure that I am not a head-tilter, but I'd have to look over my photos and don't have the time right now.
I do have a terrible habit of making a ridiculously overdone, open-mouthed happy face in most pictures--I think that's probably because I feel awkward and choose to goof around rather than just suck it up and smile like a normal person.
Posted by Canaduck on 09/02 at 09:07 PM
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Category: Photography and Photographers, Psychology