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If a photo on Instagram looks too good to be true, it probably is. Even though the platform can be a wonderful and inspiring place, full of beautiful and artistic images, oftentimes it's misleading, too. Photography "tricks" and post-production dissolves the difference between real and fake. And some people try to make use of it, turning their looks into what they think society desires.

Eventually, it got so bad, a counter-movement emerged on Reddit in 2017. The community is called Instagram Reality, and it is dedicated to "exposing" these personas, trying to stop the spread of unreachable ideals and unrealistic expectations. To do so, it is posting side-by-side pics of how Instagrammers look online and in real life.

Bored Panda has already written about the subreddit (most recent articles here, here, and here), but it continues to dig out more and more... "specimens", so we gotta keep up; the pictures are getting more and more ridiculous.

#1

Found On A Dating App. I Am Genuinely Concerned

Found On A Dating App. I Am Genuinely Concerned

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In 2019, Marika Tiggemann and Isabella Anderberg released a study called "Social media is not real: The effect of 'Instagram vs reality' images on women’s social comparison and body image." The research revealed that such images have the power to limit the impact social media posts have on our mental health.

As part of the study, a group of women were randomly assigned to view one of three sets of images: "Instagram vs reality" images, the 'ideal' side alone, or just the 'real' side. When women viewed either the real or comparison posts, researchers noticed that the identification or complete avoidance of the 'perfect' images as fake could "disrupt the comparison process," reducing the negative impact on body image and actually decreasing body dissatisfaction. 

#2

I Thinks She's So Beautiful Without The Photoshop. Body Dysmorphia Is Real

I Thinks She's So Beautiful Without The Photoshop. Body Dysmorphia Is Real

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"Results suggest that the popular quote 'Comparison is the thief of joy'… has some truth to it," Renee Engeln, a professor of psychology at Northwestern University, writes for Psychology Today. "However, it seems to matter who the target of your comparison is. We may have more luck accepting our own bodies if we see more realistic and diverse representations of other bodies in our social media feeds.

"By following users who regularly challenge the frequent phoniness of Instagram posts, we can practice appreciating the diversity of human bodies and perhaps learn to appreciate our own bodies along the way."

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#4

Pores You Say?

Pores You Say?

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

So, so fake. While they're at it, should have changed her teeth and gave the other one a real Chanel pendant. Why not do it all?

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#5

A Beautiful 51 Year Old Woman Who Doesn’t Need The Facetune

A Beautiful 51 Year Old Woman Who Doesn’t Need The Facetune

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vidimlic62 avatar
Mimi777
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone ages. It’s part of life. She’s still beautiful. And looks great for 51.

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#6

I'm No Doctor But Her Head Is Small

I'm No Doctor But Her Head Is Small

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#7

Photographer Trying To Claim That The Long Legs Are Only Due To “Angling”

Photographer Trying To Claim That The Long Legs Are Only Due To “Angling”

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

Its a shame they photoshopped her because she actually seems to have great natural figure

powercat47 avatar
Powercat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can litterally see the strip of dirt on the lower part of the wall that's rather a straight line on the left picture and curved upwards on the right picture 🤦‍♀️

redrockinlobster avatar
Red rockin lobster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apart of the legs, her feet are bigger then the head. And it's not small

vt_shinomi avatar
Shinomi Chan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd be terrified to see someone with legs THAT long. Straight outta horror movie

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

If it was shot with a wide angle lens from very close to the model, you would get an effect similar to the image on the right.

simonlyngbo avatar
Simon Lyngbo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Photographer here. No you can't. Not even remotely close. If the camera was litterally on the ground pointing up, you get closer. But our camera is at roughly 60-80cms off the ground. And if a distorted lens like a fisheye lens was used, it would have a center focal point, with less to no distortion, usual in the middle of what the camera is pointing at, in this case somewhere between her legs. This would also cause her legs to widen along with the stretching, du to the way the round lens, is turned into a rectangular picture. Yet none of this happens. But as someone says, the biggest giveaway is the background. If you take the curb: It is located below the camera, so will normally look smaller, because of how viewdistance work in physics. Yet on the right picture it is twice the size, even though it should maybe only be 10-20% bigger due to the photographer being a little closer on the 2nd picture. In PS, stretch the image around 25%, narrow the top by 20%, and you have this effec

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amy_dawson90 avatar
Amy Pattie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be acceptable as an artful photomanipulation if you didn’t try to claim it was a natural shot.

connorpark avatar
Naruto Uzumaki
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

lol.. help me mother.. help me.. i have seen too much... help.. me...

sweetangelce04 avatar
CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There’s so much more wrong with the editing besides the long legs

iancarter avatar
Clever Dog
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why just why? shes beautiful, in the first picture and a freak of nature in the 2nd

niemelaari avatar
Ari Niemelä
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it still might be question of angling and using different objective. Foreshortening but in legs.

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#8

When The Mirror Lets You Down

When The Mirror Lets You Down

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#10

That Foot Said, “Mr. Stark? Don’t Feel So Good.”

That Foot Said, “Mr. Stark? Don’t Feel So Good.”

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

That's no foot!! That's a pirates stump!! Foot stumpin' all over the place, what is a boy to do?

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#11

Photoshopped A Lambo Logo On Her Honda, The Blue One In The Back Also Looks Fake

Photoshopped A Lambo Logo On Her Honda, The Blue One In The Back Also Looks Fake

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#13

A German Reality TV Star On Instagram vs. On TV

A German Reality TV Star On Instagram vs. On TV

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#15

Rtx On

Rtx On

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

If he would take of his shirt in front of me and look like that.. I think I'll run away... screaming...

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#16

Original vs. What She Posted

Original vs. What She Posted

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#18

Bro..... Seriously

Bro..... Seriously

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Kosh1k
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, there's overzealous use of filters and photoshop (Eerily bright teeth and skin). But you can tell it's the same guy, and it doesn't slip too far into "uncanney valley" territory.

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#19

Delusion

Delusion

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#20

The Only Photos She Posts Anymore Are Pictures Of Models With Her Face Photoshopped In Instead

The Only Photos She Posts Anymore Are Pictures Of Models With Her Face Photoshopped In Instead

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#22

I Genuinely Don't Understand This. She Does This All The Time. She Doesn't Even Slightly Resemble Herself

I Genuinely Don't Understand This. She Does This All The Time. She Doesn't Even Slightly Resemble Herself

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#23

2 In 3 Use Photoshop

2 In 3 Use Photoshop

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

Yeah... but which two??? If only someone could shine a light or something...

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#25

I Didn't See It Until The Direct Comparison

I Didn't See It Until The Direct Comparison

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#26

Her Billboard vs. A Pic From An Interview

Her Billboard vs. A Pic From An Interview

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#27

When You Get So Tan That Even Your Eyes Get Darker. (Summer 2018 On Left vs. Summer 2020)

When You Get So Tan That Even Your Eyes Get Darker. (Summer 2018 On Left vs. Summer 2020)

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#28

Her Promo Pic On Social Media vs. Photo From Her Promo Event

Her Promo Pic On Social Media vs. Photo From Her Promo Event

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

Oh god! That's just so sad. Too many wrong messages they're getting to young people, damaging their confidence and making them believe that flaws or ageing is something wrong.

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#29

She Has 217k Followers On Insta

She Has 217k Followers On Insta

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

She was actually on Greece's Next Top Model as a plus size model and she was actually pretty good. She knows how to pose and how to make beautiful expressions with her face. But this picture on the right is just... it just isn't her. I don't understand why they're doing this. She is a beautiful girl.

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Note: this post originally had 82 images. It’s been shortened to the top 29 images based on user votes.