Why is it I look different in the mirror to what I do in photos?

Question

I see myself as ugly in photos and different.

And i feel everyonr else looks normal or good looking where Im not

Answer 1

Because what you see in a mirror is your 'mirror' image and is totally your own perception of yourself. what you see in a photograph is a real front view perception of you. its the same for me, i think i look good in a mirror but then i see a photo and i wonder if thats what i really look like

Answer 2

Two reasons: first of all, what you see in a photo is right-way-round, not a mirror image. You're so used to seeing your mirrored self that the other way looks wrong.

Secondly, in a mirror you're moving and alive. Your brain interprets moving and static images in different ways, building a more complete - and more flattering - picture from the moving image. Haven't you read those Hello or Heat articles of "Stars on an off-day", famous actors and actresses looking terrible, eyes drooping, cheeks all jowly? Most people, even those most people consider beautiful, look below par in most photos: the trick of maintaining star status is to make sure only the good ones get printed :-)

Answer 3

Probably because when you look in the mirror what you see is a reflection of your face which means its kind of like what other people see when they look at you, but if the camera is pointed at you, it is not reflecting. Everyone looks bad in photos though, don't worry about it. Don't worry, there's always digital processes that can correct bad photographs. I had to do some passport photos about a fortnight ago, and even with what I thought was an excess of make up, I still looked like death warmed up.

Answer 4

Oh, I know exactly what you mean. The first time I got a video recorder and my husband took a film of me when I wasn't looking, I was horrified when I watched it. I suddenly saw myself as other people saw me. Not just the front view that I'd seen for 26 years in a Mirror, but the full 360 degree shots. I looked awful and my head was all a weird shape. Not to mention my body! I'm gradually getting used to it, but it still comes as a shock when I see myself walking along! Scary!

Answer 5

No one's face is completey symetrical. What that means is that the right side of your face and left side are not exactly the same - there are subtle differences.

Mirrors reverse images. Hence, when you look at yourself in a mirror you are seeing your face backwards from the way people looking at you see you - or the way you look in photos, which do not reverse the image.

Answer 6

i asked this same question last week! i hate how i look in photos.
it has to do with soooo many things, including lighting, and it's only a split second image of you ..... i stood my husband in the mirror next to me to see if thats how i really look, and i DID.... try standing next to someone in the mirror and you'll see ......... that experiment made me feel WAY BETTER. i guess this is why people are 'photogenic' and some are not... another thing is when models do photoshoots have you ever seen those rolls of film they take? click click click click then they choose only the best! hope this helps.

Answer 7

Alochol? I always look at least 3 stone lighter when I look in the mirror having consumed alcohol.

Answer 8

Two main reasons.

1. You compose yourself when you look in the mirror.

2. Photographs are taken from lots of different viewpoints.

Answer 9

Photos are decieving. I have found when I'm happy I take a good shot. Please look at yourself more in the mirror and if need be take lots of pics of yourself and hopefully you'll get used to you in pics keep well x

Answer 10

yeah same as. in a mirror i look pretty but on cam seem to grow a double chin =(
but the only way i look 'nice' on cam is to take a pic of myself from different angles....or take a pic of what u see in a mirror....try it