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No matter how beautiful and ‘perfect’ the photos on your Instagram feed might look, not all of them are real. Some are so heavily photoshopped, edited, and altered, it’s borderline ridiculous. I know, it sounds unbelievable that somebody would lie on the internet like this!

This is where the Instagram Reality subreddit comes in. It’s a community that finds and shames the most heavily photo-edited IG pictures. Check out their newest pics below and upvote the ones that blew your minds the most, dear Pandas. And read on for Bored Panda's interview with one of the moderators at r/InstagramReality, redditor Cluelessnumber7.

After you’re done scrolling down in disbelief, you might want to have a look through Bored Panda’s previous posts about the weird world of Instagram vs. Reality photos here, here, and here.

#1

He Forgot To Photoshop The iPhone Box’s Shadow

He Forgot To Photoshop The iPhone Box’s Shadow

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#3

She's 50 Years Old And Photoshops Herself To Look Like She's In Her Late 20s. Women, There Is Nothing Wrong With Looking Your Age. You're Not Expected To Look Like A 20 Year Old Forever

She's 50 Years Old And Photoshops Herself To Look Like She's In Her Late 20s. Women, There Is Nothing Wrong With Looking Your Age. You're Not Expected To Look Like A 20 Year Old Forever

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Moderator Cluelessnumber7 explained to Bored Panda about the two main negative effects of heavily photoshopping photos. "The first? The unrealistic expectations influencers purport to their impressionable followers. The amazingly smooth skin, suddenly common almond shaped eyes, pouty lips, sharp jaw lines, slim hourglass shapes, and so on," they said.

"What’s being lost by just posting that photo for the masses is the time it took to pick the outfit, hunt down the right lighting, pick which hand to take the selfies with (yes, seriously), and that’s all before smoothing, refining, and resizing in Facetune. Without disclosing that, there is now a countless amount of people comparing themselves (and perhaps spending money to look like) a person who doesn’t exist," the redditor pointed out one of the dangers of influencers heavily altering their own appearance.

#4

Not Even Craters Are Safe From Mad Filtering

Not Even Craters Are Safe From Mad Filtering

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, it's the guy in the lower picture exposing another influenza madness. He is not the idiot here.

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#5

I Didn’t Know There Was A Wax Statue In Milan

I Didn’t Know There Was A Wax Statue In Milan

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Catlady6000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what I (silently) call Porn Chic. Nothing wrong with looking sexy, but any look can cross a line into sad, ridiculous or just no. The prevalence of porn, with its makeup and overall "look" for the women at least, really seems to have influenced the influencers. This actually looks like a blow up sex doll.

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Hans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like one of these Japanese plastic girlfriend dolls. Scary.

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Brigs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she forgot her other arm when she walked out the wax museum

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Mark
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, that went into making her breasts, only got so much wax to work with!

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Tovah Roche
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought Matel was now making Barbies to look more anatomically correct?

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Spikey Bunny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Me too in a way. She must feel so completely inadequate to have to do this to/for herself... even worse if she's doing this to find a partner, or because her current partner/past partners have made her do this?

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Jack Urquhart
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is no way t his is human. It even looks like a BAD wax statue.

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Ashasaurus rex
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only real part is the background. I have had enough. Reddit sub instagramreality has PO’d me to the point I want to break my devices.

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JD Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only an actual Barbie doll can have tata's that size free of any sign of cleavage. - And strangely we give those to little girls to play with and emulate. No wonder she thinks this looks normal.

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Kim Bush
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh good lord she looks like a blowup sex doll, and not an expensive one either lol

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Peter Kovak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like a human size poor quality inflatable doll. Such o horrible thing can't be real.

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Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks more like a sex doll than a human being. Hate to tell her, but it’s just not a good look.

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Laura Gastelum
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you're going to make a cartoon at least get the boob job even

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Tugg Ster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just wow. You are in Milan and this is what you are posting pics of? Very very sad.

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Daniele Ribolla
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

che vergogna ... io sono italiano, di Milano ... però ci sono stupidi in tutto il mondo...

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Isha Lewis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i mean like I could do photoshop BETTER than that come on lmaoo

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Anita Savers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's so fake it's obvious and so poorly done that she looks like a cartoon.

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Spikey Bunny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The woman in the background, looking at her phone, looks much more beautiful, possibly approachable, and capable of breathing.

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Hilary Mol
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was wondering when "The Sims: Italian Vacation" would be available.

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Bart Moore
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder if that wax statue is for rent? Asking for a friend 😎

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Ann S.
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Kayla Albert
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That looks really creepy! Why does anyone want to look this way! If this is what she looks like in real life I wouldn't be able to look at her!

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#6

Shrunken Head

Shrunken Head

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Elizabeth Molloy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One hand tiny, other hand HUGE! I don't know what she was trying to achieve here, but it hasn't worked.

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"The second is one that many people don’t like to address—the insecurities of those who feel the need to edit their photos. They’ve been editing their photos for so long it could mean losing the validation from their followers, losing followers, and maybe losing sponsors if they came clean. So, they would rather enjoy the false fame, than risk losing it over integrity."

We also wanted to find out what steps could be taken to reduce the amount of photo-editing that people do online. "This is a very complicated question, but one step that we should fight for is to get rid of all filters that alter the shape, size, or proportions of anything to do with someone’s body," Cluelessnumber7 told us.

"Filters have become a crutch for so many people on Instagram that they now edit their still photos to look like their filtered Snapchat videos; adjusting their noses, tone of their skin, smoothing all blemishes, adding lashes in post," they said. "These filters, while fun, are surprisingly insidious. You don’t realize that you expect to look like the filtered version of yourself, until you attempt to take a photo without them."

#8

“No Filter” But Instagram Says Otherwise At The Top

“No Filter” But Instagram Says Otherwise At The Top

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Kate
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No filter but in addition to her eyes, somehow all the pores from her face and lines on her fingers have also disappeared.

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#9

I Thought People Had More Sense Than To Believe This Is Real, But She Popped Up On My Feed Because Friends Of Mine Shared Images Like This As "Goals"

I Thought People Had More Sense Than To Believe This Is Real, But She Popped Up On My Feed Because Friends Of Mine Shared Images Like This As "Goals"

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While there’s nothing wrong with putting an artistic filter on a photo to slightly change the colors, it’s easy to go overboard. A handful of changes can become a dozen which then become a hundred and soon enough, you’ve airbrushed yourself so much, you can’t even recognize yourself anymore.

According to Brooke Erin Duffy, an assistant professor at Cornell University studying self-presentation on Instagram, “Nobody wants to be called fake.” So deciding how much to edit your photos is a huge dilemma for influencers.

“Influencers very much feel they need to present themselves authentically while getting the best image possible,” she told The Guardian.

#10

The Mirror Always Seems To Expose These People

The Mirror Always Seems To Expose These People

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Mel Fairfeather
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, wait. This one... I don't think it's photoshopped, or at least it isn't photoshopped much. Speaking as a pro photographer who DOES do retouching, but also works ALLLLL the angles, this one looks like she's sucking in and twisted so the reflection makes her look much thicker in the waist than what you see when looking from this angle. There's also something dark just behind her elbow in the reflection that makes her waist look thicker too. It's just a shade lighter than the dress. This one doesn't belong here, I don't think.

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#12

Can‘t Believe How She Thinks That’s Acceptable

Can‘t Believe How She Thinks That’s Acceptable

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Meanwhile, the Instagram Reality community moderators further shared their own thoughts about photoshopping pictures in a previous interview with Bored Panda.

According to them, Instagram users want to see influencers post natural photos of themselves, not something that’s been “edited to hell” and back. The mods remain optimistic that influencers will eventually realize that, especially with part of the global population still stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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#13

The Original Has Finally Seen The Light Of Day

The Original Has Finally Seen The Light Of Day

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Kisses4Katie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These women are really insecure. I'm not saying I'm not, but I don't try and fight it.

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#14

I Literally Have No Words...

I Literally Have No Words...

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Awia
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is also a croatian wannabe celebrity. He did soooo many plastic surgery he doesn't even look like a human anymore. Google Neven Ciganovic

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#15

Blursed Rich Man

Blursed Rich Man

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The things that make people yearn to photoshop themselves into ‘perfect’ human beings are “insecurity, envy, and money,” as well as avoiding embarrassment because you think you might have hang-ups about some parts of your body or face.

However, natural photos have a lot of charm because they’re authentic, honest, and more people can relate to them.

#18

Don’t Compare Yourself To Photoshopped People

Don’t Compare Yourself To Photoshopped People

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#19

Ribs? Only For Dinner

Ribs? Only For Dinner

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#21

Oh My God

Oh My God

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#22

So What Now, Are We Supposed To Be Ashamed Of Our... Ankles?

So What Now, Are We Supposed To Be Ashamed Of Our... Ankles?

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#23

Had This Saved As Inspiration To Lose Weight When Struggling With An Eating Disorder. Now, I Can’t Believe I Never Noticed The Water Bending Around Her Waist

Had This Saved As Inspiration To Lose Weight When Struggling With An Eating Disorder. Now, I Can’t Believe I Never Noticed The Water Bending Around Her Waist

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should not be a body standard to be inspired from, even if it was real

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#24

Eyes, Skin, Cheekbones... So Natural Looking

Eyes, Skin, Cheekbones... So Natural Looking

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#25

I Guess She Thought No One Would Notice Her Editing If She Blurred Out Her Surroundings

I Guess She Thought No One Would Notice Her Editing If She Blurred Out Her Surroundings

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#26

When One Person Posts The Edited Photo And The Other Posts The Original

When One Person Posts The Edited Photo And The Other Posts The Original

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#28

Jawline Looking Like The Hull Of A Ship

Jawline Looking Like The Hull Of A Ship

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#29

So We Gone Talk About That Leg Or Nah

So We Gone Talk About That Leg Or Nah

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#30

On Instagram vs.on TV

On Instagram vs.on TV

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Elizabeth Molloy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know people look different with and without make-up, but if you were going on TV, wouldn't you at least TRY and look something approximating your line image?

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#31

"Water" At Popular Instagram Location In Bali Is Actually An Optical Illusion. It's A Piece Of Glass Under An iPhone

"Water" At Popular Instagram Location In Bali Is Actually An Optical Illusion. It's A Piece Of Glass Under An iPhone

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#32

Armpits Are So Overrated

Armpits Are So Overrated

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#34

Burmese Influencer Claims Her Skinny Waist Come From Eating Healthy

Burmese Influencer Claims Her Skinny Waist Come From Eating Healthy

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#35

Are You Sure About The Non-Photoshop Part?

Are You Sure About The Non-Photoshop Part?

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#38

When I First Saw This, I Thought I Was Still Asleep

When I First Saw This, I Thought I Was Still Asleep

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#39

This Is Why Instagram Needs To Get Banned Like Tiktok

This Is Why Instagram Needs To Get Banned Like Tiktok

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#40

Bendy Grass Around The Waist

Bendy Grass Around The Waist

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Catlady6000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least this looks almost realistic. Her organs are probably still where they should be

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Note: this post originally had 84 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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