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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you are photogenic?

166 replies

PhotoFinder · 29/06/2020 20:40

I’ve had to wade into the world of selfies as I’m using dating apps and most of my ‘natural’ pics are years old.

I am confident about how I look. I do get chatted up in bars and I think I look okay in person - but I need to take a stupid amount of selfies to get one ‘decent’ one. And most of the photos my ex had taken of me looked stupid too. I struggle getting the right post and it never looks quite right.

I’m almost tempted to post a pic (obv. incredibly outing) but even if I get critique I’m not sure I can do much better! So maybe I’m just not destined to be photogenic.

Are you? Are you better looking, worse, or pretty much the same in photos?

OP posts:
mbosnz · 29/06/2020 20:41

Hell no! I look bloody awful in 199 out of 200 photos taken of me. I really hope they're not representative.

BadAlice · 29/06/2020 20:42

I would say in person I’m average/fairly attractive. In photos I’m a fucking mess. I have a very expressive face. It doesn’t translate well into a single frame!

FuzzyPuffling · 29/06/2020 20:42

I look shit in photos, but if the camera never lies, then I probably do look shit.

Shitonthebloodything · 29/06/2020 20:43

I look deeply unattractive on camera. Don’t think I’m that ugly in real life but maybe I’m just deluded.

Nonononon · 29/06/2020 20:46

Am I fuck.

Thecazelets · 29/06/2020 20:46

I hope I'm not photogenic, because if I really look like I do in 99% of photos I'm surprised small children don't run away screaming at my approach.

PhotoFinder · 29/06/2020 20:46

Interesting that most people find this. Who are these ‘perfect selfie’ people and how did they do it?

I did read something about how selfies are terrible because the camera distorts and makes your nose look bigger. I think that might be true as I’m sure my nose is more slender in the mirror.

OP posts:
Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 29/06/2020 20:46

No I take a terrible photo. People used to tell me all the time when I was younger, I should try and get into modeling (too old now), I didn't have the confidence for that anyway, but I don't think I've ever taken a really good picture. Infact I hate getting my picture taken because I always look shit.

Obviouslynotallthere · 29/06/2020 20:47

I look shit in most photos. I look better in one bathroom mirror but that's it.

MarshaBradyo · 29/06/2020 20:47

I find photos of me can range from the nice to the dire. Must reinforce to dh what to use if needed to be shared ever.

PhotoFinder · 29/06/2020 20:47

And if you are someone who can pull of a decent pic, what’s the trick?

OP posts:
OneTitWonder · 29/06/2020 20:48

I an extraordinarily in photogenic. I’m not a bad looking person but in most photos I look pretty awful. I have a couple where I look good, but other than tbat I’m resigned to always looking like a cariacature of myself in photos Grin My husband on the other hand photographs beautifully, all handsome angles and glinting eyes. He’s just an ordinary looking bloke but the camera loves him. Lucky bastard 🤣

amiascrazyastheysay · 29/06/2020 20:48

I've given up with selfies but get a good friend to take decent ones of you instead. Especially if they've an iPhone with portrait mode. It's extremely flattering.

MarshaBradyo · 29/06/2020 20:48

The difference is lighting.

Zerrin13 · 29/06/2020 20:50

I look completely wooden and strange in most photos

Thecazelets · 29/06/2020 20:52

Teenage DD always looks great in photos. She has a symmetrical smile, straight teeth, a really even skin tone and looks/smiles directly at the camera. No makeup. All things I lack.

LittlemissAWOL · 29/06/2020 20:52

Not a natural photo but that's why they invented filters 😂

mynameisigglepiggle · 29/06/2020 20:52

Lighting and angles! Or a filter!
People who have good selfies have 100 bad ones for every good one I reckon!

ChanklyBore · 29/06/2020 20:53

You are used to seeing yourself in a mirror, with your face flipped the other way. When you see yourself as others see you, your face is normal, but it looks strange to you because you are used to your mirror image. Nobody is symmetrical.

Try mirror flipping the pictures of you and see if you like them more.

Thecazelets · 29/06/2020 20:54

It's true about the nose thing I think. Like looking at your reflection in a spoon - being close to the camera distorts the size/perception of your nose.

HelenaNightSoilCart · 29/06/2020 20:54

If you want to take a decent selfie the camera needs to be further away than arm’s length. Put it on a shelf or a stand and then use the timer button set to 10 seconds. Then take about 100 before you get a decent one 🤣

MarshaBradyo · 29/06/2020 20:54

When I accidentally flip a photo of me I practically jump back at how wrong it looks. Mirror is better though I’m used to that I guess.

octobersky19 · 29/06/2020 20:54

I hate having my picture taken, I can't "pose" candid ones aren't too bad but still, I always find fault

PinkiOcelot · 29/06/2020 20:56

No. I look hideous in photos. I avoid getting my photo taken.

Scarby9 · 29/06/2020 20:56

I used to be. In the days before selfies, I was often pleasantly surprised by pictures of me. Just casual snaps, not posed and prepared poses. Other people obviously thought the same, as I can remember people sometimes saying with a note of surprise ' Oh, that's a lovely one of you!'
Clearly I was unexpectedly better looking on film than in real life.
No longer, sadly. Difficult to find a decent angle at all now in real life or a photo!

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