Don't Blur Reality
- Tuesday, September 06 2011 @ 10:17 am
- Contributed by: Jet
- Views: 1,256
In today’s modern age, digital images are more easily available than ever before. Point-and-shoot cameras are increasingly cheaper; the cameras included on phones are of much better quality than they used to be. Even many laptops and desktop computers have webcams, again of better quality than they used to be, included. Yet, there’s still a staggering number of people on online dating sites who put little to no thought into selecting their default picture.
Granted, you don’t need to go to a professional photographer and have an artsy shoot to go along with your brand-new profile; most people have something acceptable floating around on their computer or on the internet already. However, not all of them choose the acceptable picture. Perhaps due to insecurity, passive-aggressive anger at having to provide a picture, or maybe just laziness, there are pictures on profiles out there that look like they’ve been taken underwater (when they haven’t). There are even some that are flipped sideways, or upside-down.
Having a default picture that is such bad quality it’s comical will lose you far more interest than it will gain. Hardly anyone likes the task of finding a flattering, clear default picture, but a picture that doesn’t make you feel like you need your eyes checked will earn you more viewers, even if it’s less flattering than some. At the bare minimum, your default picture should be at least as good quality as your picture ID - and hopefully more flattering.
So what can you do to get the best possible picture? First, don’t rely on the increased quality of your phone or webcam. Learn how to make your pictures the best you can - how your phone or camera responds to light or motion. It would be a shame to miss out on a great shot because of inexperience.
Next, don’t just take a few pictures and run with what you have if you’re not happy with it. So maybe you turn on the webcam and grimace at how you look today - that’s fine. Come back tomorrow, or when you’re in a better mood. Have something funny on TV in the background - whether we’re serious or smiling, our eyes reflect our mood, and we tend to look better when we’re feeling lighter.
Finally, don’t be afraid to scour the social networking photo galleries of your friends and family. They might have a great candid shot of you that you don’t know about, or never thought to crop and bring the focus to yourself.
Your photo doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it should at least be recognizably you! Don’t hide behind a poor photo; the confidence to be yourself - and show it - will take you much further than a picture that blurs the real you.
Granted, you don’t need to go to a professional photographer and have an artsy shoot to go along with your brand-new profile; most people have something acceptable floating around on their computer or on the internet already. However, not all of them choose the acceptable picture. Perhaps due to insecurity, passive-aggressive anger at having to provide a picture, or maybe just laziness, there are pictures on profiles out there that look like they’ve been taken underwater (when they haven’t). There are even some that are flipped sideways, or upside-down.
Having a default picture that is such bad quality it’s comical will lose you far more interest than it will gain. Hardly anyone likes the task of finding a flattering, clear default picture, but a picture that doesn’t make you feel like you need your eyes checked will earn you more viewers, even if it’s less flattering than some. At the bare minimum, your default picture should be at least as good quality as your picture ID - and hopefully more flattering.
So what can you do to get the best possible picture? First, don’t rely on the increased quality of your phone or webcam. Learn how to make your pictures the best you can - how your phone or camera responds to light or motion. It would be a shame to miss out on a great shot because of inexperience.
Next, don’t just take a few pictures and run with what you have if you’re not happy with it. So maybe you turn on the webcam and grimace at how you look today - that’s fine. Come back tomorrow, or when you’re in a better mood. Have something funny on TV in the background - whether we’re serious or smiling, our eyes reflect our mood, and we tend to look better when we’re feeling lighter.
Finally, don’t be afraid to scour the social networking photo galleries of your friends and family. They might have a great candid shot of you that you don’t know about, or never thought to crop and bring the focus to yourself.
Your photo doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it should at least be recognizably you! Don’t hide behind a poor photo; the confidence to be yourself - and show it - will take you much further than a picture that blurs the real you.
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