mirror vs. camera

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#1 Post by **shanalouis** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:49 pm

so when i look in the mirror my face and profile doesnt look so bad but when i take pictures i can see a really ugly profile and assymentry that doesnt look right. why is that i look so bad on pictures and good in the mirror? what does my profile really look like and how can i know how the doctor really see me? am i the only one who feels this way or do some of you agree?

#2 Post by **rooney9995** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:35 pm

I feel the same way. I think those of us with asymmetry are very used to looking at ourselves a certain way in the mirror, so when we see ourselves in a picture and its opposite, it looks very strange because of the asymmetry.

#3 Post by **LAJaw** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:42 pm

Everyone uses mirrors all the time so you are very comfortable with the way you look in the mirror. However, mirrors are a flipped image of you - your right side becomes your left and vice versa. Pictures on the other hand are the non-flipped version. So when you see a picture of yourself, features that you are used to on your left side suddenly appear on the other side. Your brain instantly picks up on these differences so you'll tend to really notice the asymmetry.

But just as you are really used to your flipped image and don't notice any asymmetry, other people are used to the non-flipped image of you and won't notice any asymmetry either. It's only when you're used to one image and then see the reverse one that your brain picks up on the asymmetry.

#4 Post by **shanalouis** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:07 pm

so which one is the true image the mirror or the camera?

#5 Post by **Marisama** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 9:04 pm

You serious? Of course it's the camera image.

#6 Post by **avy** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 10:25 pm

A photo is a snapshot in time, one split second, whereas looking in the mirror you move and adjust your face so they cant be compared in my books. I believe the best way to judge is to have a video taken of yourself just talking normally, moving around etc to get a true vision of what you look like. Mirrors can be deceiving, photos can be deceiving.

#7 Post by **shanalouis** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 6:50 pm

well the only asymmetry i have is my jaw. it makes me look bad in pictures i guess. i can't wait to have my surgery...........

#8 Post by **trish222** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 7:27 am

DAMN-Ryanvaughn-really the picture? I was hoping for the mirror-I sometimes look at pictures of my self and don't even think it looks like me-or maybe hope-lol. Definately interesting subject though-

#9 Post by **shennalicious** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:32 am

If you're pre op, then you should be all the more excited to change this.
Yes, it's true, asymmetries barely noticeable in person are caught on camera. But look at Jennifer Connelly. She's beautiful and has a jaw asymmetry as well.

#10 Post by **sarahorsomeone** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 4:28 am

I much prefer looking at myself in the mirror as compared to photos.. but I've been told I often pull a funny face in the mirror and I suppose I try to close my lips (which doesn't really work but...)

For example, I know I have a-symmetry in both jaws, but although that causes me functional problems (my teeth don't meet on one side), I can't really see it in the mirror; however it's really quite obvious in photographs. It's probably more obvious to other people (the first surgeon I saw, who was very pompous and rude... kept pointing at me and saying "look how wonky her chin is"), but I guess I'm used to seeing it in the mirror so I don't notice it that much.

I also think any teeth/mouth related issues (for anybody) look worse in photographs than they do in real-life, because in real-life your mouth is moving most of the time, whether your talking, smiling, breathing.. whatever, which makes it harder to see and focus on any cosmetic problems. In a photograph it's frozen in time so you can look at the mouth, and any issues become obvious. I have maxillary excess, and although it looks pretty bad in the mirror; it looks absolutely horrific in photographs!

In short, I hate photographs, and I don't always even recognise myself in them!

#11 Post by **kmputnam** » Fri Oct 01, 2010 3:54 pm

I am so glad other people with asymmetry have noticed this as well!

After years of my mother telling me to stop tilting my head I realized that I tilt my head at a certain angle to try to compensate for my wonky jaw. When I look in the mirror I do not notice it (because of the head tilt), however when someone takes a picture of me and I have not had a chance to "pose" I think I look very different. (Needless to say I avoid straight on and profile pictures like the plague!!)

Looking forward to not having to do this post surgery.... I tend to have a very stiff neck!

Cheers.

#12 Post by **Marisama** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:34 am

I have the same head tilt. I tilt my head towards my shorter side of my jaw. I was surprised that the oral surgeon I went to for a consult actually included a head tilt observation in his consultation. I wasn't aware of it before my appointment, but now I constantly try to hold my head straight and it makes my jaw look even more asymmetrical. I hope this is fixed with surgery as well.

#13 Post by **rooney9995** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 7:54 am

Strange... I've always been a head tilter in pictures. Never thought it could be associated with my asymmetric jaw

#14 Post by **WebDevGirl** » Sat Oct 02, 2010 11:03 am

How funny, i was just taking some 'before' pictures today and was astonished at much worse my teeth look. I never smile with my teeth showing in pictures so i hadn't realized how different things look in photos compared to me looking in the mirror, especially with the full wide-mouth opened smile.

Can't wait to get my braces.

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mirror vs. camera

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