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Well I purchased my new digital camera and was taking a few photos and the reality hit me between the eyes. Now I understand why my wife doesn't want me going out. The mirror lied to me and still wonder why it didn't crack. The truth is the camera doesn't lie it only takes a picture of what it see. Gosh I am one ugly women!!!

At a distance I look fine but up close forget it, oh well life goes on. No don't ask for a close up as it's not very good. I think I will have to look into a better foundation or a matte finish as my old age sure shows up. Crying in SE Mo.

I have to disagree, the camera can lie, and it does lie! I am not an expert, some of our sisters know more about photography than I do. I do however know that just a couple of minor changes in lighting, location, position, and you have an entirely different person.

Don't get discouraged, if anything it can help you adjust your make-up, and dress and even improve your presentation. The way you sit, stand, walk, hold your self, where you put your hands, etc.

Just don't give up, Carol Ann is a beautiful person, inside and out all the camera says is that here are some ways to make her even more beautiful.

Keep the faith, honey,

Love ya,
Virginia

Carol Ann,

I have noticed most digital cameras seem to distort colors quite a bit particularly when in flash mode. If I am wearing makeup for example it ALWAYs looks like I have pink paint on regardless of what color it actually is. I think flesh tones are exaggerated and there is usually a problem with contrast balance. I get much better results when using natural lighting.

Ive takrn a lot of wedding pictures and the like and have to spend hours and hours color correcting digital camera items. The ones from my regular camera generally require little or no correction. Technology mightne working against you in this respect.

But if you are convinced you are ugly, I would ask whether it is better to be an ugly boy or an ugly girl? Maybe a topic for a poll?



XOX

Sylvia

Carol Ann - I agree, the camera can and does lie. We have taken many photos of Virginia and myself with our digital cameras, and lighting, position, etc. all make a big difference!!!

So, use the camera to your advantage, then. Try using a different kind of makeup, or applying it a bit differently. What brand of makeup are you using? I'll never forget the comment I read that was made by Joanna_S here: "Cover Girl does not cover boy." Don't think that you have to use one brand of makeup for everything from coverup and foundation to lipstick and eyeshadow. Personally, I use CoverGirl, Neutragena, Maybelline, MaxFactor, Almay, and/or Elizabeth Arden on a daily basis - and I'm going to experiment with other brands, too.

BTW, Carol Ann, that photo you sent us taken on Valentine's Day showed how beautiful you really are - and don't you ever doubt it!



- SL

Yes, the digital camera lies even more than the film camera ever did. Lighting, filters, and electronics all interact in completely different ways than the old point-and-click Brownie cameras. No matter what camera you use, I'd never pass in a room full of sight-impaired people.

Fortunately as we age, we better understand it's what's in our hearts and minds that is far more important. You're more beautiful than you'll ever know, Carol Ann. Don't ever forget it (no matter what some dumb camera wants to say.)

Carol Ann:
It is not what is in the picture that you see that matters.

What matters is one heart and belief in ones self.

For true beauty is a person that knows ones self and loves to live as that person.

As there old saying going Beauty is only skin deep and the beast is the person lost to himself.

These are the words and thoughts of a crazy person called Gelinda.

Carol Ann,

I agree with the other girls. The digital camera can take a terrible image when the flash hits. I am not a photographer, but I have done a number of image enhancements and corrections for publications. Some cameras really need a lot of correction especially when set to auto flash and all the other auto settings.

The good pictures tend to be in natural light or when some control is used other than auto.

You are beautiful Carol Ann.

More importantly, How do you feel inside?
I think you look just fine. I don't think that many of us actually live up to the young innocent cheerleader image that we'd like to. I'm happy if I look my age but with style.
Try turning off the flash and just using one spot light off to one side. The shadows can really enhance a photo and give it that something extra.
Lisbeth

You ladies are just wonderful, I was just so shock when I seen my first closeup
I have been going back and taking a real good look at it and I see some of my down fall. First I do need to change my foundation and figure a way to try and help smooth out this old weather beaten face. Then the eye make up was completely a mess. I did love my smile so there was something good in the picture. It was my first take with a new camera and am still trying to figure out all the little buttons and such. To be honest I just put it on auto and let the camera do it's thing, I want to put pictures in the gallery so bad so I can join my sisters. You ladies are the best

See, that's why I take pictures at a distance and use the computer to get a little closer.

Carol Ann

Buity is on the inside......the camra does lie and that is why there ar professionals making big bucks taking pictures....also I don't believe anyone is completly happy with the way they look....me for one

Hang in there

Hugs

Lori

Carol Ann,

We woman tend to not like the way we look in pictures do we? You are a beautiful woman. So what we are not all supermodels here. This is something that my 11 year old is starting to struggle with. It is no wonder considering who "society" deems beautiful. No wonder so many have eating disorders and the plastic surgery industry is booming. We need to set new standards starting with our self esteem. If one feels beautiful inside it is portrayed on the outside. I have known many woman who do not fit the "standard" yet everyone they meet thinks that they are the cats meow due to the way they carry themselves.

Use the pics as a tool to experiment with your look. Cameras do lie and they seem to add that extra weight... . I feel like I am looking back to my normal ( as long as I have not tried on my size 7 pre-baby clothes) then look at a pic and UGH!! Remember you are beautiful. Hold that head up high and strut girfriend.

Learning to capture beauty through a camera lens is tricky at best. A few things to remember:

• Everybody looks worse in the vast majority of still photographs than they do in motion. It's part of why professional photographers take SO many pictures looking for just one that captures somebody.

• Nobody looks at you nearly as closely as you look at yourself. I don't know why we have a critical eye when it comes to ourselves, but we do.

• Flash photography is for emergencies and experts, only! Learn to turn off your camera's flash and use available light whenever possible and you'll have much more flattering photographs. The only people who see you the way a flash photograph does are people who wear impossibly bright arc-lamps on their heads and they're easy to avoid.

• Wide angle lenses are notoriously unflattering. Zoom in and place your camera further away. I've seen fashion model shoots where the photographer was a block away for just this reason.

• Keep the camera elevated with a good tripod. Eye-level shots look more natural, and we all look worse with an up-the-nose shot.

Carol Ann wrote: It was my first take with a new camera and am still trying to figure out all the little buttons and such. To be honest I just put it on auto and let the camera do it's thing, I want to put pictures in the gallery so bad so I can join my sisters.

Carol Ann,

It may be time now to open up the manual and read what all the little buttons do and start experimenting by changing one setting at a time, finding out was does work and what doesn't.

The nice thing about a digital camera is that you can play around with the settings, take lots of pictures, and unlike roll film, you don't have to take a whole roll before taking it to be developed, preserving your privacy and not parting with more $$ in the process.

If you care to post the exact brand and model camera you have, some of us photography enthusiasts could look up the online manual (if there is one) and maybe help point you in the right direction.

Jadeanne

Carol Ann
I had to laugh at your post because I had the same reaction when I tried a few facial closeups with my digi. The hope was that it would help me improve my makeup skills, but instead scared myself when I looked at them full screen. My dog was next to me when I viewed them..ever see a 90lb Labrador roll over laughing? Seriously, digis can show everything in extreme closeups and I'm sure even attractive GGs avoid that! Donna was right..take the pics further away and then use software to get a closeup look. My best pics have been taken by others...I'm terrible by myself. On the bright side...no more $1/each poloroids You look fine.
Good luck
DeeDee