Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

I think I look ok (ish) so why do I look like an old lady in photographs?

36 replies

LostMarbles99 · 01/09/2013 19:13

When I make an effort, I look ok- not amazing but fine, happy enough.

However when I look at myself in photographs I look like an old lady. I don't have eye bags but I look like I do in photos, why is this?

Anyone else get this?

OP posts:
BOF · 01/09/2013 19:15

I get this. I think I have Reverse Body Dysmorphia, to be honest.

meditrina · 01/09/2013 19:18

It's be ause when you look in a mirror, you 'pose' yourself, even if you don't consciously realise you're doing so, and you look at the bits you like best.

The camera often catches you unposed, you cannot adjust to change emphasis to the bits you like best, and you see yourself as other's see you. They think you look like that all the time. And it's OK.

lurkingaround · 01/09/2013 19:19

Or worse. Y'know when you're out shopping and you see a woman looking at you. And for a split second you wonder who that older woman is that seems to know you and shock horror bleugh it's your reflection in a mirror!! What a fright. Happens me a bit. Scary.

CrayolaLola · 01/09/2013 19:23

I find this too and have come to the conclusion that when you look in the mirror, you see how you feel and I certainly don't feel (or look, I hope!) as old as I am.

However, I had to renew my driving license last year and was quite happy until then with the little photo. I was horrified when I got back the new one with it's photo of me 10 years older - and now it stays well and truly hidden in the back of my purse. It got me to thinking that as long as I don't act my age then maybe I can hold off looking my age... blissfully in denial of the fact that the camera never lies!

Marylou2 · 01/09/2013 19:25

I think you have to remember that a 22 year old supermodel with perfect skin, an amazing makeup artist, designer clothing and a world famous photographer still gets heavily photoshopped before her picture makes it into a magazine. You or I snapped on a mates I-phone don't stand a chance .

LaurieFairyCake · 01/09/2013 19:27

I also think I have reverse body dysmorphia

I think I'm fecking gorgeous and totally unlike this overweight, old woman in photos.

Have slightly crappy eyesight helps too - I'm reminded of Nora Ephron who only had old mirrors and low light and candle light in her later years Grin

trixymalixy · 01/09/2013 19:30

I also have reverse body dysmorphia. I think I look alright when I look in the mirror, but most photos are horrific!

2kidsintow · 01/09/2013 19:32

I have this. I look fine in my mirror, but when I have a photo taken I have really droopy eyes.

JohnSnowsTie · 01/09/2013 19:32

I definitely have reverse body dysmorphia.

I just don't look as good as I think I do.

CharlotteBr0nteSaurus · 01/09/2013 19:34

this is me too
am broadly happy with what I see in the mirror, but none of my holiday photos ever make it to facebook, as I always seem to have been photobombed by a ruddy-cheeked, snaggle-toothed chubby lady who is roughly ten years older than I am....

Original poster
LostMarbles99 · 01/09/2013 19:35

Glad it's not just me! I have only a handful of photos of me and pfb as I look so bloomin' awful in most of them and they have seen deleted!

OP posts:
Original poster
LostMarbles99 · 01/09/2013 19:37

Oh my, is that what I have?

Reverse body dysmorphia? Is it an actual thing?

OP posts:
BlueStones · 01/09/2013 19:37

If it's a mobile phone pic, it's probably not accurate. Those cheap phone cameras are well-known for not depicting colour/shade and lighting correctly.

RoxyRobin · 01/09/2013 19:39

It's got so bad I have to edit myself out of photos.

The most annoying part is that DH looks great in them. People probably take me for his mother.

Original poster
LostMarbles99 · 01/09/2013 19:42

No it's in iPhone/iPad pictures!

I'm a right minger, but funny you mention it I don't look as bad in my actual proper camera photos!

OP posts:
kaosak · 01/09/2013 19:42

I've got so many more lines in photos than I have in real life - where the hell do they come from and sneak in like that Confused

Original poster
LostMarbles99 · 01/09/2013 19:43

Yes, I look like dh's mother also and he's 6 years older than me!

OP posts:
BlueStones · 01/09/2013 19:43

My current job requires me to be videoed a lot. Weirdly, video always looks, to me, exactly how I think I look (that is, OK - not great, not plain). But mobile phone pictures - bleh, I have the same experience as most of the above posters. I really think there is something about point-and-shoot cameras that does it.

BlueStones · 01/09/2013 19:44

iPad cameras are just as bad. Honestly, Google it. Professional photographers use proper cameras for a reason!

MyBoysAreFab · 01/09/2013 20:04

It was my 50th last month. I spent ages looking for a lovely dress, got my hair cut and coloured etc. Felt really good even though I am a bit overweight and not a stunner. But when I saw photos I was quite shocked. I looked older, and my dress didn't look nearly as good as I had thought it did - my boobs looked like old lady boobs down at my waist. Made me feel a bit fed up Sad

Wearytiger · 01/09/2013 20:05

Yes! Reverse body dysmorphia! That's me! I think I look five years younger than I am and even though I'm a bit... errrr ...generously sized, I always think that I hide it really well, would surprise all my friends if they knew my real size / weight etc. tbh I love it. I'd much rather be a bit deluded and happy with my overall appearance than the reverse.

Wearytiger · 01/09/2013 20:07

But also 90% of people don't know how to optimise their own photos. Stand up straight, turn your body away from the camera but then look back at the lens, drop your chin and laugh instead of smiling. BOOM! You'll look much better.

Wearytiger · 01/09/2013 20:07

And delete all the 'candid' snaps Grin

Lottapianos · 01/09/2013 20:10

I think I look pretty good most of the time and have been lucky enough to have compliments from other women on how I look. In photos however, I look either pissed or like I've just had a stroke. It's not great for the ego!

TondelayoSchwarzkopf · 01/09/2013 20:17

I have this reverse dysmorphia thingy.

In real life I am a younger, blonder version of Monica Bellucci.
In photos I am a slightly younger, blonder version of my mother.