We’re halfway through National Singles Week and decided to make this a bit of an educational day. HEY SIT BACK DOWN RIGHT NOW, DUMMY. Don’t leave. I promise you this information is good. We’ve been doing a lot of browsing on OBC recently, checking out all the hot singles that have joined recently (there are a LOT of you), but we’ve been noticing some issues in your photo choices. Pop quiz: did you know it’s 2010 and that you can purchase a digital camera for less than the price of like, a Biggie-sized #6 at McDonalds? So swing by your local Wal-Mart (or Target if you’re an elitist) and grab a camera. It’s time to get you a new profile pic for Singles Week.

This time, we’re getting scientific with it… using, prepare yourself: the most common circles of latitude. Circles of latitude, if you’ve not heard of them before, are the imaginary horizontal lines that divide the Earth into various sections. Combined with longitudinal lines, you can determine a very specific spot on the earth. The most common latitude and longitude lines are the Equator and the Prime- okay, you know what, this isn’t science class, let’s get down to the Dos and Don’ts of your profile photo.

DON’T take a picture within the Arctic Circle to the Tropic of Cancer:

This angle, more commonly known as the “MySpace angle,” was developed and mastered sometime during 2006, when everyone on the planet was a member of the now deserted social networking site.  At this point, not only was every female’s photo a close up, overly contrasted mess of lip gloss and bangs, but it was, almost as a rule, taken from a slightly-above-the-head to completely vertical angle. Somehow, through some form of digital-camera-magic, everyone looked good at this angle. Fast forward a year or two and we realized in horror that those who looked adorable from the MySpace angle could potentially be… well, less than adorable in person. The MySpace angle (or to be scientific, anywhere between 66° 33′ 39″ N and 23° 26′ 21″ N) might have been suitable when you were 17, but now it holds the stigma that you might be hiding something… (specifically multiple chins and/or folds).

DO take a picture from the Tropic of Cancer to the Equator:

This is your best bet for your most successful profile shot: a straight on, if not ever-so-slightly higher photo of your face. At this angle guys can fully see your features at their best and will not be left suspicious of potential… er… surprises. Whether you do the time-tested “flirty face” or just give them a smile, a clear, straight on profile photo is your greatest asset.

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DON’T take a picture from the Equator to the Tropic of Capricorn:

Ladies, unless you have the jawline of Kate Moss and the body of Gisele, don’t post a photo of you that your friend took from the ground looking up. And dudes, the whole “leaning back pointing down at the camera” thing is successful like, 1.8% of the time. Maybe you’re trying to look taller than you really are, but there is a reason that they don’t even shoot Victoria’s Secret models from a low angle. It’s NOT cute.

We hope you take our advice to heart and mind the next time you have a photo shoot in your bathroom (please don’t have a photo shoot in your bathroom). With this and a confident attitude, we’re sure you’ll get some booty this Singles Week!