Your profile picture is important. It is the first thing someone will look at when viewing your profile. You have to make a good impression with this picture and convey a little bit about yourself without the person consciously knowing. Here are a few tips for making a good profile picture.

• Use your fashion sense in the picture. Wear fitting clothes that look good on you.(No shirtless pictures unless the picture is of you swimming)
• Don't be a mess but don't be too tidy. Find the middle ground.
• Smile a small smile. A big grin will convey that you are loud or a dork.
• Don't use image manipulating software on your profile picture.
• Make the picture seem fun. A serious picture is intimidating and less people will be likely to reply to you/open you.
• Avoid group photos. A group photo will show that you have a set group of people you hang around with and would rather talk to than someone new.
• Make sure you have a good view of your face. You want the people looking at the profile picture to have a mental image of you.
• Don't squint. Enough said.
• Take the picture in an area that reflects the type of person you are trying to attract. If you want an athletic girl who loves hiking and what not. Take the picture outside.
• Keep the photo casual.

There are no loopholes to this. It is fairly simple though yet some people make a few mistakes in their profile pictures. Remember this is only for Profile Pictures, not all the pictures you take. You can do whatever you want with those. However, for the picture that shows up on your profile you need to follow these rules.

Thanks
Mitchell

I agree with this as far a touch ups are concern. But not if you are alternating the picture to make it a totally different one. For example making the picture black and white where it was a color one before.
And your body if your main picture is of your whole body.

I would say it is better to take pictures in areas that reflect who you are as a person. Not in areas that will attract the type of girls you want. Because even tho the girl may be into running, she may find a guy on a bike a lot more attractive or appealing than a picture of some guy running.

I'm surprised there haven't been more replies to this.
I thought the general consensus was to try to demonstrate pre-selection by having other women in the pic with you.

What's your opinions on this?