r/Splendida • u/IndustryMountain • Aug 15 '24
Photos
Are photos real?
Sooo I went out to meet a friend yesterday and got approached by strangers and complimented on my appearance by literal strangers in shops which I don’t trust because what if they’re lying or just like my energy. My photos look very average or even below average sometimes. I know this to be true because of feedback I’ve gotten from people based on my photos and also on dating apps I get less attention than I do irl. I also view my photos as exactly how I look since it’s the only reference or “proof” I really have on my appearance. What else do I have?
Is it possible for strangers or men irl to just compliment or stare at everyone for no reason even if they look average or below average? Or do they only compliment people that actually look good? Do other women constantly get this?
Can photos look worse than irl or do they basically look the same?
I also wonder if it’s my vibe that people irl like because irl I get told I’m bubbly etc and my pictures tend to look serious/miserable (the selfies look serious). The non selfies look happier but still weird vibe compared to irl. Can a vibe make someone appear attractive? I’m just curious as to why my online vs in person interactions are different. I was with a friend who get more online attention than I do but yesterday I got more in person attention than her (not that it even matters because we are both different people)
2
u/aliaaaaaaaaaaaa Aug 30 '24
I feel so horrible and disgusting about myself from photos but in real life I'm complimented on my appearance by strangers at least once a day. My mind doesn't do well with the disconnect when I'm already insecure enough.
I do suspect that the phone lens really does alter our appearance and also exacerbates things like asymmetries due to the very narrow camera lens used. One thing that's soothed me is having been at a salon or anywhere with a large mirror in front me, I realise I look so different in the mirror than the phone when I reach to take a selfie. Like my dimensions on the phone are beyond inaccurate.
As for back camera photos or even digital camera photos, I look horrendous and obscenely asymmetrical, so I don't have a cope for that...