sideprofile

A side profile is the view of a person or object from the side, revealing the outer contour and features most visible from that angle. In human portraiture, a profile emphasizes the silhouette of the forehead, nose, lips, chin, and ear and typically omits frontal features such as the eyes when presented in isolation. The term is often used interchangeably with profile view or profile portrait.

Historically, profiles have been prominent in art and numismatics. Ancient coins and cameos frequently depict rulers and deities in profile, while classical busts and silhouette portraits emphasize the same lateral outline. In later Western art, profile imagery persisted in decorative programs and in the emerging practice of silhouettes, which reduce a subject to a dark shape against a light background.

In photography and cinema, side profiles are used to study facial structure, create dramatic lighting, or convey mood. A profile shot can highlight the jawline and nasal projection and is sometimes used to preserve anonymity by concealing the eyes.

In science and medicine, lateral or side-profile views are standard in craniofacial analysis. Orthodontists use lateral cephalometric radiographs to measure facial harmony, while anthropologists use side profiles to record skull and facial landmarks.

In design and culture, the side profile influences logos, heraldry, and architectural sketches, where the silhouette helps communicate form quickly. While useful, profile views reveal less about expression and symmetry compared with frontal views, so they are often combined with other perspectives for a complete understanding.