OK, this is an odd one, I know.

Is there such a thing as photographing badly or are people who look bad in photos just bloody ugly?

Myself, I have noticed for years that when regarding my image looking in the mirror it always looks better than in a recent photo.

So I don't know which perception is closer to the truth ... if there is such a thing.

Curious to poll here about whether other people find their image much uglier one way or the other.

Years ago I mentioned to cousin that I photograph badly and he said, maybe you're just ugly.

Polite of him to say MAYBE!

Anyway, that isn't the point, ugly or not.

The point is this perception thing of a difference between mirror and photos ... which is only something the person looking in the mirror could know about.

Edited June 17, 201511 yr by Jingthing

There's a good chance you actually might look better in a mirror than in a photo, depending on lighting. A mirror with some lights around reflects a more even and smooth light with other lights in the room acting as fill. A photo with flash or in the sun will rarely look good because the light source is more pinpoint from one direction. It's harsh.

The sun is known as a small light source which sounds strange at first, but then clouds are obviously a much bigger and smoother light source which then makes sense. A large light source is more flattering. The sun and flash are very harsh.

A photo can accurately be called a recording of light and it's the lighting which can make a difference.

JT, here's a stark picture of the same guy. On the left is about what a mirror would show - large diffused light. On the right is a deliberate exercise in harsh light which accents wrinkles and eye sockets etc., with contrasting highlights and shadows. The harsh light would be found in direct sunlight, flash, or even in a room with a single dominating lighting fixture such as on the ceiling.

Other than in a pro portrait photographer's studio where I might look better than life, I have to vote for "uglier in a photo".

Cheers

Edited June 17, 201511 yr by NeverSure

You ever wonder why some (all) females like to take thousands of selfies ? The answer is that they too think they look ugly. After many shots with different facial expressions and twists and turns they pick one or two and delete the rest.

So.... If taken enough shots even an ugly person will find one that makes them look handsome.... Well almost handsome

I just keep wondering who that old guy is in the mirror that keeps looking back at me......

Step away from the mirror and no one will get hurt......

I think if someone is photogenic (without photoshop) for the most part they are physically attractive .....

....... Sometimes when they open their yap/true being it does not make any difference how they look anymore

Depends on how many drinks I've had.

Perhaps appropriate, perhaps not .

Very sad song by Lou Reed from Magic & Loss.

Harry's Circumcision (Reverie Gone Astray)"

Looking in the mirror
Harry didn't like what he saw
The cheeks of his mother, the eyes of his father
As each day crashed around him
The future stood revealed
He was turning into his parents
The final disappointment

Stepping out of the shower
Harry stared at himself
His hairline receding, the slight overbite
He picked up the razor to begin his shaving and thought
"Oh, I wish I was different.

I wish I was stronger
I wish I was thinner
I wish I didn't have this nose
These ears that stick out remind me of my father
And I don't want to be reminded at all."
The final disappointment

Harry looked in the mirror thinking of Vincent Van Gogh
And with a quick swipe lopped off his nose
And happy with that he made a slice where his chin was
He'd always wanted a dimple
The end of all illusion
Then peering down straight between his legs
Harry thought of the range of possibilities
A new face, a new life, no memories of the past
And slit his throat from ear to ear

Harry woke up with a cough
The stitches made him wince
A doctor smiled at him from
Somewhere across the room

"Son, we saved your life
But you'll never look the same."
And when he heard that, Harry had to laugh
And when he heard that, Harry had to laugh
Although it hurt, Harry had to laugh
The final disappointment

The poll results are interesting.

I reckon I look pretty good, but the bloke in the mirror has seen better days.

Normally I get a stunt double to stand in for me in photos - maybe I'll try and find a better stunt double who's not so much fatter, older and balder than I am.

SC

I look great all the time.

I reckon is a psychological issue, you cant argue with what you see in a mirror, but you can always say "its the camera" or lighting or whatever with a photograph, therefore, its all to do with your own self esteem.

I look handsome whether it's a photo, or looking in the mirror. If a guy is handsome then he's handsome.

I reckon is a psychological issue, you cant argue with what you see in a mirror, but you can always say "its the camera" or lighting or whatever with a photograph, therefore, its all to do with your own self esteem.

But most people responding on this poll, including me, think they look better in the mirror than in photos.

Personally, although I'm getting older so not a heartthrob anymore, I think I look rather handsome in the mirror and rather horrifying in pictures. The difference in self perception between those two is great.

If I looked as bad in the mirror as in photos, I'd consider taking them down!

So I would like NOT to argue what I see in the mirror but still not sure whether to believe it.

Edited June 20, 201511 yr by Jingthing

I look much better in photographs....from 1986.

I just could not answer this ,i am just so handsome in both,

Depends on the camera, depends on the photographer.

A professional photographer (portrait) will know how to make the most of you by using light, shade and angle.

If you want to look your very best for a dating site (???), or whatever, take this route.

As somebody said, you need a lot of selfies to get a good one, or at least one you are happy with.

Booths are notoriously awful and fit only for passport photos.

Too close to call! Lol