Why do I look better in the mirror than in photos? - 1

I've seen this question asked many times on the internet and seen responses ranging from the mirror is correct to the photos are correct. My problem with photos of me is that I think they look nothing like the me in the mirror and I get looks from a considerable number of girls and a good number would consider me "cute" but there's no way the real me is in the photo if this is the case; I would have to trust the mirror.

I also notice that other people don't look so much different in photos of themselves and have heard others say how different certain people look in photos. But then again they look exactly as they do in mirror images of themselves except maybe for the paler skin since mirrors tend to take away a little color.

Cameras also have different focal lengths which can distort facial proportions. I've heard many people argue that the mirror isn't the real "you" because it's an inverted image, but that makes no difference to the shape. Words in a mirror look no different in real life other than the orientation. I'm not sure where people got "inverted image" means "opposite" or "completely different." Photos are also 2D representations, not 3D copies.

I also argue for the mirror because it is a direct reflection of incoming light without the series of lenses and computer chips.

My main question is which do I trust? The mirror or the iPhone photos that friends take of me? And why do some people look no different in photos? Maybe I don't analyze them as much as I do mine or maybe I'm the one seeing something different about the photo that no one else notices? Or maybe I'm just not photogenic like some people?

I don't think that either the mirror or the photo is more "correct" than the other. If one were more "correct" than the other, you would expect to notice the effect when comparing mirror images and photos of OTHER people too. For example, when you look at your sister in a mirror, vs.looking at a photo of her, does one look more "correct" (or more asthetically pleasing) than the other? My guess is, "no".

That means the effect must be related in some way to each person's OWN visual perception of THEMSELVES. I can think of a few possibilities here; perhaps it's a combination of them.

1. When you see yourself in a mirror, it's usually a "straight on" view (vs.a possibly sideways or perspective view in a photo).To test this, try looking at only "straight on" photographs of yourself and see if the effect is still there, or is as prominent. Conversely, try setting up two mirrors at an angle so you can see your own reflection in perspective, and see whether that alters the effect.

2.It may be related to movement. When you look at yourself in the mirror, you are always moving a little bit. Small motions convey a certain "body language" that can affect perception. That's absent in a still photo. To test this, look at a video recording of yourself and see if it alters the effect.

3. You "identify" with yourself more in a mirror. Whenever you make a move, your reflection immediately does likewise. When you strike a pose, your reflection immediately does likewise. A deep part of your subconscious brain says, "that's me"; and that in turn (I'm guessing) causes the visual perception to match more closely with your internal "picture" of yourself. In contrast, when you see a photo of yourself, even though you "logically" know that it's you, you don't have the same deep subconscious identification as when you see yourself in a mirror.

My personal guess is that it's mostly #3, with a little bit of #2 thrown in.