Bird's-eye photos capture overall density distribution that frontal photos miss, revealing diffuse thinning patterns in 35% of cases. If you only track your hairline from the front, you are seeing less than half the picture. A top-of-head photo taken from directly above shows the complete landscape of your scalp in a single frame, from the frontal hairline through the mid-scalp to the crown, making it the most comprehensive single view in your tracking arsenal.
What Top-of-Head Photos Show That Other Angles Do Not
Frontal photos capture hairline shape and temple recession. Crown photos focus on the vertex whorl. Profile photos show the side view. None of these individual angles capture what happens in between, and that is exactly where diffuse thinning occurs.
Diffuse Thinning Detection
Diffuse thinning (also called diffuse unpatterned alopecia, or DUPA) reduces density evenly across broad regions of the scalp. It does not create the classic M-shaped recession or a distinct bald spot at the crown. Instead, the entire top of the scalp gradually loses coverage.
From a frontal view, this type of thinning can be nearly invisible until it becomes advanced, because the hairline itself may remain intact. From above, however, the reduced density is apparent as increased scalp visibility across the mid-scalp zone.
Mid-Scalp Bridging
In more typical androgenetic alopecia, there is often a "bridge" of denser hair between the receding temples and the thinning crown. As the condition progresses, this bridge narrows and eventually breaks down, connecting the frontal and vertex loss zones. Top-of-head photos are the only view that captures this bridge clearly, and tracking its width over time tells you exactly how the condition is progressing.
Overall Staging Context
For accurate Norwood staging, you need to see the relationship between all zones simultaneously. A top-of-head photo provides this context in a way that individual zone close-ups cannot. Your crown may look like N4 in isolation, but combined with minimal frontal recession, the overall stage might be N3V. Only the overhead view shows the full picture.
The Top-of-Head Photo Technique
Step 1: Set Up Lighting
Position your light source directly above you, pointing straight down. For this angle specifically, the light must come from the same direction as the camera (overhead). If your ring light is typically positioned at an angle for frontal photos, reposition it for this shot.
Turn off all other light sources. Overhead ambient lighting (like bathroom ceiling lights) can interfere with your dedicated tracking light and change between sessions.
Step 2: Position Yourself
Sit in a chair or stand in your marked tracking position. Tilt your head forward approximately 10 to 15 degrees (less than for crown photos). This slight forward tilt presents the top of your scalp as a relatively flat surface to the camera above.
Do not tilt too far forward. Unlike crown-specific photos (which focus on the vertex), the top-of-head shot needs to capture from the frontal hairline all the way back to the crown. A slight tilt balances both zones in the frame.
Step 3: Position the Camera
The camera goes directly above you, 40 to 60 cm from the top of your head, pointing straight down. At this distance, the frame should capture:
- The frontal hairline at the bottom of the image
- Both temple areas on either side
- The mid-scalp zone in the center
- The crown/vertex at the top of the image
This is a wider field of view than zone-specific close-ups, which is why a slightly greater distance (40 to 60 cm vs. 30 to 40 cm for close-ups) works better.
Step 4: Capture the Shot
Selfie stick method (recommended): Extend a selfie stick to a fixed, marked length. Hold it directly above your head. Use a 3 to 5 second timer or voice shutter. This is the most consistent method because the stick length controls the distance precisely.
High-shelf method: Place your phone on a high shelf, bookcase, or cabinet top, propped at an angle to point downward. Stand or sit beneath it and trigger the shutter with a Bluetooth remote or voice command. This method provides the most stable images but requires more setup.
Arm extension method: Simply extend your arm above your head and point the camera down. This works but introduces more variability in distance and angle between sessions. If using this method, take 5 or more photos and select the best.
Step 5: Verify the Image
Before leaving your setup, check the photo:
- Is the frontal hairline visible at the bottom of the frame?
- Is the crown visible at the top?
- Are both temple regions included?
- Is the image sharp (zoom to 100% to verify)?
- Is the scalp evenly illuminated?
If any zone is cut off or blurry, reshoot immediately.
Establishing Your Grid Reference
For the most precise month-over-month comparisons, divide your top-of-head photo into a mental (or actual) grid.
| Zone | Location in Photo | What to Monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal | Bottom center | Hairline shape, density behind hairline |
| Left temple | Bottom left | Recession depth |
| Right temple | Bottom right | Recession depth (compare to left) |
| Mid-scalp left | Center left | Diffuse density changes |
| Mid-scalp right | Center right | Diffuse density changes |
| Bridge zone | Center | Width of dense hair connecting front to crown |
| Crown | Top center | Whorl opening, vertex density |
By evaluating each grid zone independently across your monthly photos, you can pinpoint exactly which areas are changing and at what rate. This is far more informative than a general impression of "my hair looks thinner."
Combining With Other Views
The top-of-head photo works best as part of a complete multi-angle tracking session. Each angle provides unique information:
- Top-of-head: Overall density distribution, diffuse thinning, bridge zone
- Crown close-up: Vertex detail, whorl patterns (see our crown photo guide)
- Temple close-ups: Recession measurement, hairline border detail
- Frontal: Hairline shape, forelock density
- Part line: Central density, widening detection
Together, these views give AI analysis tools the complete dataset needed for accurate Norwood staging, density estimation, and trend detection.
For the full multi-angle protocol, see our guide on consistent hair loss progress photos.
Capture Your Complete Picture
A top-of-head photo takes 30 seconds to capture and provides the single most informative view of your overall hair situation. Add it to your monthly routine starting today.
Upload your top-of-head photos alongside your other tracking angles at myhairline.ai/analyze for a comprehensive AI analysis that evaluates density distribution, identifies diffuse thinning patterns, and tracks changes across your entire scalp.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Scalp density patterns and thinning presentation vary between individuals. Consult a board-certified dermatologist for clinical evaluation and personalized treatment recommendations.