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With the rise of photo editing software and the increasing importance of our image on social media, most of us sometimes get worried about what people think of us. Do I look good enough? Do I dress stylish enough? What do people think of me when they see my picture? Would I get more likes/upvotes/notes/tiny red digital hearts if I did X, Y, and Z?

Unfortunately, some people have these thoughts far too often and take them to extremes: they care about their body image so damn much that they start relying on photo manipulation to extreme levels. This results in people looking radically different online than they do in real life. And when you do a side by side comparison? Wow. The difference is striking, often hilarious, and might make some of us wish you were born before they invented electricity.

We’ve collected some of the best examples of Instagram photos vs. reality from the incredibly popular r/Instagramreality subreddit, so get ready for some shocking comparisons. Scroll down, upvote the pics you enjoyed, and let us know what you think in the comments. After you’re done with this list, be sure to check out Bored Panda’s previous articles showing the vast difference between what some fake people look like in real life and how they present themselves on social media right here, here, and here.

#3

When You Preach Body Positivity And Then Shop Your Waist Into Oblivion

When You Preach Body Positivity And Then Shop Your Waist Into Oblivion

TURDMUFFlN Report

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Janine B.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly, what's wrong about her real waist? She's a beautiful woman the way she is, not need for PS.

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There are more people who Photoshop their pictures than most of us think. Of course, most of these edits and photo filters aren’t as drastic as the ones shown in this list, but it still raises the question of how widespread this is.

According to one study, two thirds of Australian women believe that it’s wrong for magazines to edit photos before printing them. The irony is that 57 percent of them also admitted to Photoshopping their own pictures before posting them on social media.

#6

His Page vs. Her Page. I Guess He Had To Bring Her To His Level ?

His Page vs. Her Page. I Guess He Had To Bring Her To His Level ?

ineverlikedyoulinda , mattkuwata_official2018 Report

The desire to receive approval and to create a positive reputation for oneself means that some people take multiple selfies in order to get the ‘perfect’ shot.

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Dr. Vivienne Lewis, a Clinical Psychologist at the University of Canberra, told the Daily Mail that more and more women are becoming dissatisfied with how they perceive their bodies and their image, thus resulting in a low self-esteem.

#7

Girl, What Is Up With Your Legs?? She Put The Whole Leg On Backwards In The Second Pic!

Girl, What Is Up With Your Legs?? She Put The Whole Leg On Backwards In The Second Pic!

CarleyWard13 Report

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NanZ
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think I have figured out why they look so bad after photoshopping. They are blind.

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Vickie Browning
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

someone needs to talk to ortho surgeon on how to reattach a leg....

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Marlene Ricker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is kind of funny. You'd think she would at least know which way legs go on!

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Baali Venomax
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure its the right way around on the first pic either. Also its obvious, if your boobs are THAT big, you would wear a bigger top not spill over the edges like an exploding muffin.

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elise breedveld
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there is NO WAY you can fit shorts over such legs.. this is so messed up..

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CincyReds
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

do you get to see how photo shopped the pic is before it gets posted? they can't think that we beleive this is real

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Claire Armstrong
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh no, here another one! The men in the white coats will come and take me away here lol! This reminds me of the time I was sitting in a hospital and a nurse was talking to a young man in a wheelchair and asked him to bend his knee. And he says "I don't know what you mean. What way do you want me to bend it?"! The nurse says "Your knees only bend one way"! The struggle I had trying not to laugh! Clearly, that nurse had never met anyone like this before lol

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Mya Lugar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even the water bottle is wrong! and the table legs, big biceps with little forarms, etc. Reminds me of those "Find how many things are wrong with this picture" things!

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Liberato
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine if she was a wrestler - that would be a magnificent neck breaker!

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PandaPiñata
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The legs on the table and the bottle are suing this lady for ridicule.

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Kiarra Gregory
Community Member
4 years ago

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There probably isn't any Photoshop here. A lot of people just stand like this. A PE teacher of mine used to do it, and she was perfectly fine.

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#9

Floors Look A Bit Bent...

Floors Look A Bit Bent...

SpawnOfSlaya Report

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A B C
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Crash Bandicoot has set wrong body standards! Being male is so hard! 😭

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“The thing is, they're constantly having to meet unrealistic beauty trends and standards,” Dr. Lewis explained. She noted that there is huge pressure for women to look ‘perfect’ in the age of social media. “Women in particular who are very concerned about their bodies can spend hours editing photos.”

#11

On The Left, Pictures Someone Posted To Twitter Calling Her The Most Beautiful Woman Alive. On The Right, What She Really Looked Like That Day. I Agree She’s Absolutely Gorgeous, So Why Photoshop Her To Make Her Look Like A Doll?

On The Left, Pictures Someone Posted To Twitter Calling Her The Most Beautiful Woman Alive. On The Right, What She Really Looked Like That Day. I Agree She’s Absolutely Gorgeous, So Why Photoshop Her To Make Her Look Like A Doll?

DougJudy038 Report

#12

This Girl Was Posted In Another Post For Falsely Calling Police On Her Neighbor. They Put Both These Pictures In The Article

This Girl Was Posted In Another Post For Falsely Calling Police On Her Neighbor. They Put Both These Pictures In The Article

whylieimhigh Report

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#13

I Cannot Believe She Seriously Posted This

I Cannot Believe She Seriously Posted This

katttd17 Report

#14

This Person Is Running For Mayor Where I Live. Yikes

This Person Is Running For Mayor Where I Live. Yikes

e_lime_pie Report

#16

Left: Instagram, Right: Youtube

Left: Instagram, Right: Youtube

The_Dudette_Lebowski Report

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Nora Ask
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not saying they're not edited, but also with and without very heavy makeup!

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#17

Local Nail Salon Apparently Removes All Wrinkles From Your Hands After Doing Your Nails

Local Nail Salon Apparently Removes All Wrinkles From Your Hands After Doing Your Nails

bluntedassasin4 Report

#18

The Longer You Look At It, The Weirder It Gets

The Longer You Look At It, The Weirder It Gets

reddit.com Report

#19

Now That The Clouds Have Been Pointed Out, That’s The First Thing I Look At Now

Now That The Clouds Have Been Pointed Out, That’s The First Thing I Look At Now

zimzumpogotwig Report

#20

Flexible Bones

Flexible Bones

Flangemange Report

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

The problem is not tge editing. The problem is to assume this to be beautiful and to propose such standards to youngsters.

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#21

Couldn’t Believe My Eyes With This One

Couldn’t Believe My Eyes With This One

holly-golightly- Report

#22

Same Person, Different Angle

Same Person, Different Angle

off_nav Report

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#23

Apparently We Should All Be Ashamed Of Our Knuckles Now

Apparently We Should All Be Ashamed Of Our Knuckles Now

Jo_Elle_Ball Report

#24

I Normally Don't Notice These Things But Come On....

I Normally Don't Notice These Things But Come On....

Disteal Report

#25

Her Instagram Is A Gold Mine For This Stuff. Every Time She Posts, Her Edits Get More Extreme

Her Instagram Is A Gold Mine For This Stuff. Every Time She Posts, Her Edits Get More Extreme

isweartocats Report

#26

May I Present To You, A Thicc Zombie. He Makes Fake Pages To Follow And Comment On His Own Pictures And Deletes Anyone Else’s Comments That Call Him Out

May I Present To You, A Thicc Zombie. He Makes Fake Pages To Follow And Comment On His Own Pictures And Deletes Anyone Else’s Comments That Call Him Out

iwastouchedbyanangle Report

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Toujin C'Thlu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just disturbing...it sounds like there's something seriously wrong with this guy

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#27

The Guy On The Left (Who Doesn't Really Filter On His Own Insta) Got Filtered By The Other Guy A Bunch Too

The Guy On The Left (Who Doesn't Really Filter On His Own Insta) Got Filtered By The Other Guy A Bunch Too

zer0desu Report

#29

Saw This Girl On Tiktok...atleast She’s Completely Honest About It Lmao

Saw This Girl On Tiktok...atleast She’s Completely Honest About It Lmao

han_chan_ Report

#30

Dude From Tinder Must Think He’s Got Us All Convinced

Dude From Tinder Must Think He’s Got Us All Convinced

sdgdgdg Report

#31

Goldmine Ig Account. There So Many To Choose From

Goldmine Ig Account. There So Many To Choose From

crm4700 Report

#32

Left Was Posted On A Thinspo Insta Page. I Thought They Were Tackling This Issue?

Left Was Posted On A Thinspo Insta Page. I Thought They Were Tackling This Issue?

ElitaWins Report

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#33

I Don’t Even Have To Say Anything

I Don’t Even Have To Say Anything

hecasselm Report

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Samantha Pines
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks so much better without it. Many people here are prettier before all the Photoshop.

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#34

Ouch @ Her Dislocated Hip, She Should Go Get That Checked Out

Ouch @ Her Dislocated Hip, She Should Go Get That Checked Out

AccelGo Report

#37

Completely Changed Her Face Structure

Completely Changed Her Face Structure

MsLunaValentine Report

#38

Christmas Is Coming. Don’t Forget To Photoshop Yourself With A Nice Tree

Christmas Is Coming. Don’t Forget To Photoshop Yourself With A Nice Tree

empenarede Report

#39

I Posted A Girl Who Got Called Out For Photoshopping Her Makeup A While Ago. Now It Seems Even The “Greats” Are Getting Away With It

I Posted A Girl Who Got Called Out For Photoshopping Her Makeup A While Ago. Now It Seems Even The “Greats” Are Getting Away With It

keepshootingfilm Report

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Kaisu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone knows James Charles is digitally altering his photos and making his makeup look better than it is, which isn't good when you're supposed to be a makeup artist....

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#40

The Picture She Posted vs. The Original

The Picture She Posted vs. The Original

bosca3 Report

#41

The Photo She Posted vs. The One Her Friend Posted Of Her

The Photo She Posted vs. The One Her Friend Posted Of Her

reddit.com Report

#42

He Is Honestly Very Talented But The Editing Is Just So Unrealistic

He Is Honestly Very Talented But The Editing Is Just So Unrealistic

vanitysaddiction Report

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#43

At Least She Edited Her Friend Too

At Least She Edited Her Friend Too

fiatretreatweek Report

#44

On Today's Edition Of What I Bought vs. What Arrived

On Today's Edition Of What I Bought vs. What Arrived

lomoliving Report

Note: this post originally had 56 images. It’s been shortened to the top 44 images based on user votes.