Cameras add ten pounds

[snopes]

Comment: Does the camera REALLY add 10 pounds? I've looked at pictures of
myself & friends, and I think we look the same in real-life as we do in
the photos. So is that rumor true? (Or was it something made up by
modeling agencies to get their models as thing as possible?)

[Tenor CS]

I don't think cameras REALLY add ten lbs. But, depending on the pose, I think sometimes the subject does look fatter, especially in the face. Plus there's the whole 2D vs. 3D compression thing going on.

Example: I hand my camera to someone shorter than me to take my picture. I look into the lens, thinking it will make a better shot. I'm tilting my head down slightly, accentuating my double-chin. Hence, my face looks fatter in the photo.

The other way is that when you look at yourself in a mirror, you (well, at least I) try to look as good as possible. When someone else takes your picture, you are what you are (fat belly and all).

So maybe it's more like your own brain takes off 10 pounds...

[Hans Off]

It is a lot to do with the lighting too. Most cameras use a flash that fires straight at your face (unless you've got a fancypants wireless system like mine) A big flat light at the face bleaches out all of the shadows which has the effect of flattening out all the contours.

This makes people look "blobby"

I have heard the term used more in conjunction with TV cameras, and the same rule applies there. Unless you are in a dramatically lit drama, the lighting is likley to be strong and directional and, like above, will chub you out.

The majority of times that "joe public" will appear on TV will be at an as-live event where the camera's have to have mobile light sources, or being interviewed on something like a local news report where there isn't time to light you properly.

Also, most of us (myself included) don't really know what sort of lighting or pose is most flattering for them. Those "in the business" do. I have worked with several models who really know (probably now subconsiously) what pose and angle to get into to look their best, when it looks good on camera, you wouldn't believe how captivating it is to see in the flesh!

The first time I met a model that could do that, I nearly forgot why she was standing naked in front of me and why I had a camera in my hand!

It's truly a skill.

[Four Kitties]

Originally Posted by snopes

Comment: Does the camera REALLY add 10 pounds?

Completely true. Which is why I am always careful to tell people I have five cameras on me at all times.

Four Kitties

[Not_Done_Living]

Well.. one company is on the ball and addressing that problem!

Hmm, i wonder what that would do for Kate Moss?

[Cervus]

Pictures of my face always make it look larger than I think it is (especially my nose!) and pictures of my body always make me look skinner than I think I am.

[Ana Ng]

Originally Posted by Four Kitties

Completely true. Which is why I am always careful to tell people I have five cameras on me at all times.

Four Kitties

I know, I was thinking in the NYC thread- how many frickin' cameras were *on* me?!

[Lainie]

The cynic in me thinks I look fatter in pictures than in the mirror because I'm better able to fool myself than I am to fool the camera.

That would explain Cervus' experience, too.

[Tootsie Plunkette]

I had always heard that it was television and/or movie cameras that added pounds, not still cameras. Can't say whether it's true in either case, though!

[Troberg]

Well, with my camera with battery grip, flash and my new lens (Sigmas 28-300mm) and a bunch of other stuff in my camera bag, it sure adds ten pounds to my weight...

Edit: Pounds and kg are not the same...

Originally Posted by Tootsie Plunkette

I had always heard that it was television and/or movie cameras that added pounds, not still cameras. Can't say whether it's true in either case, though!

Only been on TV once and I got far to shy to watch it. But I might going for round 2 tomorrow, so I guess I need to lose 10 pounds tonight so I can look normal tomorrow.

[jw]

Whenever I've met people who perform on TV, they usually look thinner in the flesh, so I suppose TV does add 10 pounds or similar.

[lord_feldon]

Once I had the "pleasure" of seeing Vice President Cheney, and there was a similar effect, although it also seemed that the camera took 10 years off for him.

[Sultana of Beetroot]

Originally Posted by snopes

Comment: Does the camera REALLY add 10 pounds? I've looked at pictures of
myself & friends, and I think we look the same in real-life as we do in
the photos. So is that rumor true? (Or was it something made up by
modeling agencies to get their models as thing as possible?)

Personally I'm all for models being as ''thing'' as possible.

Typical BS to make people feel, uh, "less fat". Lesseee... Cameras add 10 pounds, mirrors add 10 pounds, video cameras add 10 pounds... About the only thing, I guess, that reveals your true weight is shutting your eyes and living in ignorant bliss??

Sorry, I get SO sick of people living in denial of what they look like... Just like the popular womans health club that makes a big deal of how they have "no mirrors!!!"

-Tim

[Ryda Wong, EBfCo.]

Originally Posted by Rehcsif

Sorry, I get SO sick of people living in denial of what they look like. Just like the popular womans health club that makes a big deal of how they have "no mirrors!!!"

-Tim

Right. That MUST be the reason. They are lying to themselves. Because Body Dysmorphic Disorder doesn't exist and doesn't contribute to a great number of health problems, including death, each year.

[Aimee Evilpixie]

Plus, I'm pretty sure most fat people know how fat they are. You know, since they have eyes.

I am not large, but if a photo is taken of me at the wrong angle it can be very unflattering and make me look larger than I am. I do not think I am fat, nor do I think the camera necessarily makes people look larger. However, I do think that some photos can end up very unflattering and make people look larger than they are.

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by Rehcsif

Typical BS to make people feel, uh, "less fat". Lesseee... Cameras add 10 pounds, mirrors add 10 pounds, video cameras add 10 pounds...

Who's said anything about mirrors adding weight? I specifically said pretty much the opposite.

About the only thing, I guess, that reveals your true weight is shutting your eyes and living in ignorant bliss??

Yes, because when I close my eyes, I forget I'm fat. Just ike when you aren't touching your balls you forget you're male.

[Aimee Evilpixie]

Originally Posted by Lainie

Yes, because when I close my eyes, I forget I'm fat. Just ike when you aren't touching your balls you forget you're male.

Good thing I walk around with one hand on my boob all day! I get funny looks, but it's worth it to remember I'm a female!

Or am I a fat male? OH GOD I DON'T KNOW!