Why do a lot of people say they look better in the mirror,but hate what they see

Question:I've heard quite a few people say this...and from time to time I look better when I'm infront of a mirror.

I don't think I look completely different though...just minus the flash in my face and I look like the same person infront of the mirror.

Why is this?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've heard quite a few people say this...and from time to time I look better when I'm infront of a mirror.

I don't think I look completely different though...just minus the flash in my face and I look like the same person infront of the mirror.

Why is this?

Bad photography technique is the issue.

Most images are taken with compact cameras, with wide angle lenses, often from below / pointed up peoples noses, and often with direct flash... it's not a great combination.

A pro reverses these principles, uses appropriate lenses, lights the subject (or puts them in an optimal position), looks down on the subject often, which will open their eyes more, and uses flash with discretion and subtlety (if it has to be used at all).

There is a World of difference in the results you get with a decent pro behind the lens!! With the former 'technique' you can make someone good looking look pug ugly, with the latter you can make people look fabulous.

I think this, I don't know, actually, I think it's because of the lighting and maybe their expression is more faked, and they have less control over what they look like

Because the cameras add 10 pounds to your figure and do all kinds of weird things, thats why when models have there pictures taken, everything is digitized, air brushed, slimmed down, and you know what i mean.

It's because of the lighting in the photo often puts more emphasis on features, and different angles ahow different things, You can only see your face from one angle, then when a photo is taken you're suprised how different you look.

Not that I'm a narcissist, but I'll take phots of myself just for the sake of taking a photo, and I've learned which ways I look good, which light, which angle. It just takes a while to figure out what to do when you're having your photo taken.

Some people just photogenic..

Cell phones and cheap digital cameras at wide zooms used by poor photographers are the problem.

Its very very very simple really - bad photographers make people look bad, good ones (pros) make people look good. They use the correct lens/focal lenght/angles/view/format/lighting/apert... et cetera to make someone look good.

http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/L...

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First, let me say I really do find your question interesting. I gave it a few minutes of thought and have some ideas. Obviously, they may be wrong--just my opinions =)
1. When you're looking in a mirror, YOU have more control over what you see. You may only see your face, you may have different lighting conditions, heck, the mirror might be full of steam from a shower/bath!! lol! (That always makes ME look better--when I see myself in a fully steamed mirror b/c I HATE looking at myself even though I've been told I'm not that hard on the eyes)....
2. In photography, usually someone ELSE is taking the pic. Often times, it is NOT a professional photographer. Also, the optics are different on film or pic versus a reflection.
3. I truly don't believe the majority of people who don't "like" their looks would say they look better in a mirror as opposed to a picture.
4. Pictures may be either unexpected, poorly posed, poorly lit, showing bad angles (poorly composed), etc. It's said that photographs add weight as well.

However, while I believe all of those reasons may touch on possible answers, my biggest belief is we have more control over how we look when looking in a mirror.

Still, I love your question!!

I have something no one else has mentioned.
When you look in a mirror you don't see yourself how you look in a photograph.
See, a face isn't symmetrical and as we're only really used to seeing ourselves in a mirror once we see a photograph you immediately notice one major difference, you're seeing yourself how everyone else sees you, the right way around.
The brain is amazing at detecting little things like this. Look at a photograph with a crooked horizon and the fact that it isn't level is very obvious as it's unusual to see it like that.
As much as yes, bad photography can accentuate this minor illusion, I would say it's something that exists more in the mind than in the camera.

because when you look in the mirror you see the reverse of what other people see (its backwards)
when you are in a picture it isnt reverse
i think its because you're just used to seeing the backwards image of yourself more and the true picture just looks strange

It's called "being self-obsessed".

They'll get over it when they have to get a job or raise a child.

HTH
V