An interesting thing about shoes that at least in my eyes is a fact for every shoe out there, even the most beautiful ones, is that they all have at least one angle that they don’t look good at. Below some thoughts on this and a bunch of picture examples.

 

There’s hardly anything sensational about this for the subject of shoes, many people have probably heard someone, or think so yourself, that you have an ugly angle that you do not want to see on photos, so you consciously turn your face to avoid this. And most people who tried photograph shoes notice that in some angles it’s getting bad, the shoes do not look very pretty.

Compare how incredibly this Italigente shoe looks like this picture, compared to the skewed, slightly distorted impression they have on the top image.

Compare how incredibly this Italigente shoe looks in this picture, compared to the skewed, slightly distorted impression they have on the top image.

To some extent, it can clearly be about personal preferences, it’s not that everyone thinks that the same shoes are really beautiful. But to a relatively large extent, it’s pure mathematics, proportions, classic design features that applies. And since shoes have such a tricky shape in themselves, and in addition, have to be two mirrored examples that almost always are viewed together, makes it more or less impossible to make last shapes and patterns that look good from all angles.

We can take Yohei Fukuda’s shoes as an example, as his shoes in most people’s eyes are incredibly beautiful. Maybe not something everyone would wear, but they are relatively objectively beautifully designed. My bespoke shoes from him are clearly wider than usual, yet he has gotten the shape really good, both me and most of those who see the shoes think so. However, there are angles that don’t work at all for the shoes. Below is an example of this:

My last couple from Yohei Fukuda, an incredibly beautiful shoe. On this image, it has all the possibilities to shine, it's a lonely shoe that does not need to take into account his sibling, and from the inside, this makes the shoe extra pretty and elegant.

My last pair from Yohei Fukuda, an incredibly beautiful shoe. On this image, it has all the possibilities to shine, it’s a single shoe that does not need to take into account its sibling, and from the inside view, this makes the shoe extra pretty and elegant.

But, take the picture above instead. Front view a bit above, where the wide readings are really highlighted and make the shoes look bloby, stubborn and abnormal. Not very beautiful angle. Photo: Yohei Fukuda

But, take the picture above instead. Front view a bit from above, where the wide lasts are really highlighted and make the shoes look blobby and stubby. Not a beautiful angle. Photo: Yohei Fukuda

You can try yourself, take your absolute favorite shoes at home, put them on a table and view them from a variety of directions. Then you will soon see that from one or more angles, these darlings of yours are not so great. Below are a few other examples of this phenomenon.

Shoe from Miyagi Kogyo who looks quite sad in profile.

Shoe from Miyagi Kogyo who looks quite dull in profile.

However, from most other places they are very nice.

However, from most other angles they are very nice.

Just skew, when the pure mathematical forms do not match, they are ohmonic, it is often that causes the aesthetic problems. Looks quite clearly on the shoes from Main d'Or / Eiji Murata photographed at the angle above,

Skewness, when the mathematical forms do not match, they are ohmonic, it is often what causes the aesthetic problems. Shows quite clearly on the shoe from Main d’Or / Eiji Murata photographed at the angle above,

Look here instead, where they are basically as delicious as shoes can be.

Look here instead, where they are basically as gorgeous as shoes can be.