Mirror, camera, reality

[Downandout123]

So I have just experienced it once more. That's why I HATE having other people take my photo. When I look in the mirror,my face looks good. When I see myself in a photo that someone has snapped of me, I'm like-who IS this person?? I look distorted and ugly. But the camera doesn't lie, right? Or does it??? PLEASE SAY IT DOES!!!!!

[Hidden]

there is nothing worse than this. I always criticize myself in pictures... but we are our own worst critic. You show that to someone else and they will see the positive not the flaws you see, I guarantee.

[Downandout123 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. Soooooo.......-we really look like that though??! Lol

[Hidden in reply to Downandout123]

I don't think so. Because I've tried the opposite. Look at a picture of myself and see what looks good. Try that every time and it helps. We automatically see our flaws when looking at pictures but don't look for other peoples flaws when we look at theirs. Like for me, my chin is slightly offset from my nose. I only notice it now because my orthodontist told me. But, it's all I see now.

[Downandout123 in reply to Hidden]

I see my whole face as distorted in photos. Totally distorted. But I don't see that when I look in the mirror.

[Hidden in reply to Downandout123]

I'm sure what you see in the mirror is the true you.

[Downandout123 in reply to Hidden]

Geez-I hope so.🙄

[deborah27]

Yes, I have exactly the same experience. Horrific, means camera dodging constantly.

[Downandout123 in reply to deborah27]

It's TERRIBLE, isn't it?? People that know me, know that I am NEVER in the photos at get-togethers.

[deborah27 in reply to Downandout123]

Same. Awful. Wonder if it is a bit like body dysmorphia? In the mirror there is no one to compare with. In photos everyone else looks amazing. It affects how we go about our day. I sometimes can't wait to get home to see the 'real' me! Weird.

[missrebecca]

It is actually because you are used seeing your mirror image. There are very few people who are perfectly symmetrical so when you see your face in pictures that are not your mirror image it looks like suddenly your face is leaning to the "wrong" side that you arent used seeing. Everyone else is used to seeing you like that tho so to them you seem completely normal just like when you look at yourself in the mirror.

[missrebecca in reply to missrebecca]

Actually I also use this method in drawing. I draw something and look the other side of the paper against a light and see if I drew it any close to symmetrical because a-symmetry gets amplified in flipped images

[Cabo]

Every time I ask people not to take my picture, they get mad and say I’m ridiculous. They don’t understand how painful it is. If I see a picture of myself, I shut down. I think and believe I am the ugliest person even in the mirror. Then I wonder why anyone would even be seen with me and I spiral into depression. I hate myself and always have. Nothing changes this. I tried positive self talk, take anti depressants and nothing changes. Honestly no meds help me. Every day I just wish I wasn’t here.