An Analysis of Frontal Photographs Using "Balanced and Proportional Measurement"

ABSTRACT

In the morphologic study on the face, it is very important fact that one must analyze not only anomalous structures but also proportional problems of face. Authors analyzed photographs in frontal views of Korean and Western famous female entertainers, which was secondary and supplementary analysis after "BAPA (Balanced Angular Profile Analysis)" This was also a preliminary study for developing a new computerized program of facial analysis. Authors extracted 56 famous female entertainers' photographs (30 Koreans, 26 Westerns) from Internet websites. When performing sampling procedures, authors made strict criteria for selection of photographs in frontal view. We executed 20 proportional measures and 4 angular measures for the analysis. Statistical analysis using SAS program (Version 8.1. USA), was performed. Data from each group(Korean versus Western) were presented to show the means, ranges, P and F values, and standard deviations of each measurement. In addition, the Student t-test(with significance level set to P=0.05) was performed to compare the two groups. Significant between-group proportional differences(P<0.05) were found for middle face height, brow height, interpupil width, eye fissure width, nasal height, interala width, upper lip height, and mandible height but no significant racial differences were found in terms of several proportions and all of the angular measures. If automated computer program is developed based on our data, we can use our data for useful tools for the first consultation process, and suggest that appropriate and harmonious aesthetic operations should be considered reflecting these differences.