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Netizens Share Just How Heavily People Edit Their Images, Here Are The 40 Worst Examples
Most of us sort of already know that when someone posts a picture online, they’ve probably fiddled with some sliders somewhere. Changing the lighting, the exposure, maybe cropping out some random detail on the edge of the frame, these are all tools that have been around. But if you really dig into these apps, as it turns out, you can change a lot more.
We’ve gathered some pretty blatant examples of people sharing just how easy it is to alter the images you post on social media. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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#1
Mad McQueen 7 months ago
It’s funny if she did put makeup on she could get close.
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Paulina 7 months ago
Someone doesn't understand the difference between makeup and no makeup 🤦♀️ Not every photo comparison is "heavy editing"!
RELATED:
#2
#3
People will retouch their photographs before uploading them on social media in the expectation of presenting a neater or improved version of themselves. They might retouch lighting to conceal shadows or flaws, smoothen skin, lighten eyes, reduce the features, and add filters that change color shades. The desire is usually to fit into perceived beauty standards or be seen in their plethora of feeds. Despite these efforts, the result is usually short of being expected or sometimes even has an unpleasant outcome.
One of the most common reasons why editing normally does not live up to expectations is that over-retouching creates an unnatural or inconsistent appearance. When the skin is overly smooth or proportions are subtly skewed, the photo will create a feeling of discomfort or mistrust in a viewer, who senses that something is "off."
#4
Sally Moen 7 months ago
Someday, and the sooner the better, duck lip posing will be seen as ridiculous
#5
Tyranamar 7 months ago
The filtered on looks creepy. She gave herself one of those ridiculously tiny noses. Noses are to breathe. They should be big enough to allow air in.
BeepBoop is Lonely (she/they) 7 months ago
there still looks like there's a filter I'm sorry- but she's pretty
#6
Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis 7 months ago
I worry that skin discoloration might be from my insulin resistance
Megalodon Meg 7 months ago
Says the swamp a*s neck beard from his mother's basement? F**k off.
Load More Replies...This is an uncanny effect that reduces the desired effect of effortless beauty and may lead to criticism or loss of believability. Instead of being more attractive, the subject may be less real. A second challenge is platform-specific constraints. Social media apps re-size and compress photographs, which can undo conscientious edits.
#7
madeleine f 7 months ago
I don't have a problem with this, as she pretty much looks yhe same minus redish skin.
#8
Kabuki Kitsune 7 months ago
Narrower upturned nose in the filter pic. This one is more, or less just "makeup on, makeup of" (well other than the odd filter nose job.
Whoopdeedoo 5 months ago (edited)
I like that a lot of these posts show that the influences are showing their audience the filter/no filter. You can see it I'm the text in a good amount of them, like the 6th, 7th, this one, and some others and I think that's nice
#9
Sally Moen 7 months ago
Idk when peach fuzz or soft baby hairs on a woman's cheeks became a disgrace, but it needs to stop. This is very similar to the unshaven legs of women: it's not ugly.
Gg 7 months ago
I gave up when vaginal rejuvenation became a thing. I'm supposed to be self conscience of everything?!? Who has the time?
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Tonyah Mcanelly 7 months ago
I feel like other than the facial hair this one isn't too far off
A sharp, well-lit photo on a monitor can become pixelated or overly contrasted when displayed in a small mobile stream. Color shifts can occur at compression, so painfully chosen filters appear jarring or washed out. These technical restraints guarantee that even skilled editing does not always yield a pleasingly consistent result across platforms and environments.
#10
#11
#12
Social media image trends are constantly evolving. What seems fresh in a month may soon feel tired or done. Those who take the time to replicate a trendiest edit look come across as being on the fad train rather than projecting their own personality. When everybody does the same filter or the same editing template, the thing being filtered starts losing its effect. Keeping up with evolving trends can be exhausting and may not lead to long-term engagement.
#13
Babs McGurk 7 months ago
You're beautiful as you are! Why would you feel that you need to make yourself look so fake?
#14
Alison Marchand 7 months ago
Is this the same girl from another entry (currently #2 on this list)?
#15
Cheese 7 months ago
The thing about it that I find sad is that it lightened her skin.
Load More Replies... Alison Marchand 7 months ago
Well if you're making a totally different type of face in each photo...🙄😮💨
Editing also fails to sync up the edited image with real perception. A highly edited photo can produce unrealistic expectations for in-person encounters or future posts. When friends or followers see the person offline, discrepancies between the edited photo and what really exists can make things uncomfortable or disappointing. In the long term, the stress of appearing good in each new posting will probably erode confidence and self-esteem, counteracting the very confidence the edits were meant to boost.
#16
#17
Alison Marchand 7 months ago
Oooooookay, as if this depicts the (already gorgeous, obviously!) model's "REAL SKIN!" to make the rest of us feel better about ourselves???!? Nothing against the model of course, they're clearly exquisitely beautiful and appear to have great skin, makeup aside, but it's a bit insulting for whoever captioned this to pretend that this is an example of embracing the beauty of natural reality
#18
Psychologically, watchers have become more attuned to realism. They might favor candid or minimally edited photos because they sense more intimacy. Overediting can create distance, not intimacy. When people perceive that a person’s images are overly curated or manipulated, they may question what else is being concealed. In contrast, subtle edits that enhance an image without obscuring its genuine character tend to resonate better, but striking the right balance is difficult and often misjudged.
#19
#20
Beyond individual sense of style, social media algorithms may even work against overly edited pictures. Platforms prefer to show users content that is interesting or relevant to them. If overly edited pictures get nothing but indifferent or negative reactions, users scroll rapidly through and/or don't like or comment, then the algorithm will demote those posts. Therefore, over-editing can diminish their reach, and the exercise is self-defeating.
#22
#23
Agfox 7 months ago
Disclaimer: I'm an older male! Wouldn't some of these filtered effects be achievable by 1) just using makeup &, 2) a change of hair style if you want your face to look thinner?
Alejandra Sansalone 7 months ago
i don't believe the 2nd photo...there's a filter on it...no one has the skin without pores... no matter the age....
LakotaWolf (she/her) 7 months ago
That's because the "reality" photo isn't reality - it looks like she's still using a filter, just a different one.
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#24
Sally Moen 7 months ago
Is anybody else seeing a trend of beautiful women trying to look prepubescent? This photo, we'll both of these, look exactly like the beautiful child photos in advertising, except for the size of the face, the oversized lips and eyes give an appearance of childhood
It is also possible to sacrifice deep expression for the sake of superficial improvement. Time spent on wonderful edits can become just as important as time for actual creativity or actual interaction. When achieving perfection in a shot is more important than conveying a second, the social aspect of interaction becomes lost. Follower awareness may arise that messages are being crafted to get a stamp of approval rather than communication, watering down the interaction between reader and poster.
#26
Kabuki Kitsune 7 months ago
This one is somewhat cultural. In many Asian countries, it's become something of a fad to have rounder, more caucasian eyes. So the filtered photos will try to present that.
Glasofruix 7 months ago
Bigger eyes, smaller head, pointier chin, small nose. They look like freaks. Not any better than the default bratz doll look every western instagram "model" tries to achieve.
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#27
Software can “lie”. Applications offer easy fixes and dramatic enhancements, with comparisons to perfected blueprints. Without proper understanding of technique, users may use adjustments or filters arbitrarily, emphasizing flaws instead of correcting them. For example, increasing brightness to cover shadows under the eyes may also desaturate facial tones, and over-the-top color grading may clash with the subject's natural color. Trial-and-error editing gives uneven results, and without a trained eye, the user doesn't even notice when an edit ruins the photo.
#28
Amanda Reinstatler 6 months ago
Maybe she is trying to generate sustainable electricity with them.....
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#29
Savannah Newman 7 months ago
The filters really take a person's uniqueness away...I don't like that!
#30
Bi.Felicia 7 months ago
Yes, this girl has been in 6 different pics, in this thread alone and currently this pic is #25. All pictures that have the name "Rikki" in tiny letters near the bottom left corner of the picture, is the same woman.
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Generally, editing photographs to look more appealing requires social media fails because over-manipulation creates unnatural effects, technical constraints alter the intended outcome, shifting trends make the edits outdated, and audiences crave authenticity instead of highly polished artifice. In addition, inconsistency with real appearance and behaviors from algorithms can actually decrease engagement. While modest, considerate tweaks are fine with an image, the bigger task is to achieve balance between self-presentation and authenticity, and also to understand that relationship and confidence come less from flawless pixels and more from sincere expression.
#32
#33
krunchifrog 7 months ago
Reality is much better. On another topic, those jeans are incredibly high-waisted! 🤣
#34
Kabuki Kitsune 7 months ago
Check the nose and eye position. Most of these filters have a hard time around those areas. What the filters do is soften the shading around points where wrinkles form, and essentially try to make someone look younger. However the AI that drives the filters, struggles with natural areas like eyes and noses.
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#35
MalayDragon 7 months ago
Neither are her reality, swapped one Super obvious filter, for one slightly less obvious filter.
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Amanda Reinstatler 6 months ago
I think some of these posts are missing the point.....Its about how deceitful filters and social media pics can be....not "look at how pretty I am without a filter!!'
#37
LookASquirrel 7 months ago
I think they're both filtered. The one just not as much. Like when a Kartrahian posts "makeup free" pics and it's obvious they have on makeup, just not as many layers as usual.
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#38
#39
Motivated sloth 7 months ago
“Reality” is far from reality considering this is the same person as #5 (currently) on this list. Both are HEAVILY filtered
#40
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KrazyChiMama 7 months ago
Most of these ladies are absolutely stunning without filters! It seems having pores and even slight lines is a bad thing…I understand the make up filters, it helps if you don’t really know how to apply makeup…some change features such as eye color, skin color, nose and lips. They need to go to therapy and be treated for body dismorphia and maybe watch some make up tutorials.
The Majestic Opossum 7 months ago
This makes me hate social media even more (if that was possible).
Robin Roper 7 months ago
Do these people think we don't know what we are seeing is not real and totally fake?
The Majestic Opossum 7 months ago
For many young people online they really don't. Especially teen and pre-teen girls - and that can really mess with your head.
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Charlotte A. 7 months ago
"Some of the worst examples" of filters vs reality - worst examples, because most of them don't show all that much difference?
Apatheist Account2 7 months ago
These would be better if they used the same picture - some things change when it's a different angle.
KrazyChiMama 7 months ago
Most of these ladies are absolutely stunning without filters! It seems having pores and even slight lines is a bad thing…I understand the make up filters, it helps if you don’t really know how to apply makeup…some change features such as eye color, skin color, nose and lips. They need to go to therapy and be treated for body dismorphia and maybe watch some make up tutorials.
The Majestic Opossum 7 months ago
This makes me hate social media even more (if that was possible).
Robin Roper 7 months ago
Do these people think we don't know what we are seeing is not real and totally fake?
The Majestic Opossum 7 months ago
For many young people online they really don't. Especially teen and pre-teen girls - and that can really mess with your head.
Load More Replies... Charlotte A. 7 months ago
"Some of the worst examples" of filters vs reality - worst examples, because most of them don't show all that much difference?
Apatheist Account2 7 months ago
These would be better if they used the same picture - some things change when it's a different angle.
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