Why do we look good in some photos but rotten in others?

You’re capturing a moment in time. And with each passing second, there are sooo many variables. Lighting being the biggest.

The way you look in photos changes with the angle and the lighting. For example, my nose looks fine in some pictures, and weird as hell in another, if it was taken at another angle.

For me it’s usually all in the expression. I can never hold still long enough to maintain a normal-looking expression, because I simply get bored with the whole picture taking process after a while. That’s why a series of pictures of me starts off with nice smiles, but usually ends with me making silly faces or laughing.

Great question. There are lots of reasons for looking good or not in a given photo including whether we’re posed or caught in off-handledly, the lighting, the camera angle, and not least, how we looked and felt at that particular moment.

A lot of people are not happy with the results when they have been photographed, especially when the photo was posed.
I find that candidly taken pictures most of the time look way more natural (naturel?).

I’ve often asked myself the same question, @Aster.

Sometimes photos can be taken on the same day and in one I look fine and in the other, I look tired or even like someone else entirely. I think that (as stated above) lighting, and angle and even make-up (or lack thereof) play a major difference in how you look.

For a good case in point, study photos of Madonna who is probably one of the most photographed persons on the planet. In candid shots taken on the street, she looks her age or older. She actually has a photographer to shoot her on official functions and she then will release these photos to the public….choosing the photos to be released. But sometimes, the paps get there first and the camera is not forgiving.

Recently, she was shot while directing her film (on Wallis Simpson). Here she is in a candid shot: link

And here she is at around the same time, fully made up, with her daughter and “striking a pose” at her daughter’s clothing launch….link

I guess I just wanted to say….it even happens to the glitterati.

And keep your head down a bit. Gets rid of the double-chinned look.

Thanks, DR. (-:

Lighting is definitely a factor, but more interesting is that I actually have a good side. I wasn’t aware of it until my friend was taking a picture of me and another friend, and he told us to switch sides so he could get my good side. Ever since then I have noticed the difference.