“All that is gold does not glitter,”—J.R.R.Tolkien wrote in The Lord of the Rings. The opposite is also true: not everything that shines is gold. And it’s something that we should keep in mind in our modern world which is dominated by the internet and social media.
We’re constantly bombarded by seemingly ‘perfect’ photos of people on Instagram but a lot of the images are heavily photoshopped. The Instagram Reality subreddit is dedicated to collecting the most retouched IG photos and we’ve collected some of the freshest examples of what not to do to your pics. Scroll down, upvote your faves, and read on for our earlier in-depth interviews with the subreddit’s moderators.
When you’re done looking through this list and if you want to see more examples of mindblowing Instagram photoshops, check out Bored Panda's previous articles about the Instagram Reality subreddit right here, here, and here.
This post may include affiliate links.
I'm So Glad This Greek TV Host Has Her Own Personal Cloud That Follows Her Everywhere She Goes
Maybe the cloud is the actual star, and the fact that the girls all look similar is a coincidence? IDK don't watch Greek tv.
I am from Malaysia and i don't think there is any swimming pool or beach near The Petronas Twin Tower.This is totally weird as I go there often
I'm So Glad This Greek TV Host Has Her Own Personal Cloud That Follows Her Everywhere She Goes
Maybe Just One More Filter...
I don't understand how people see this about themselves and think "yeah, that looks good. People will believe that!"
She looks like she is foaming at the mouth like she has rabies. WTF
Damn He's Ripped
Ripped all right. Ripped his arm straight out of a magazine page.
This one has to be a joke. Or his followers aren't very observant. Note the weird knee, as well.
Yeah, I agree, there's no way this was intended as anything but a joke
Load More Replies...This does not belong here, it's obvious that he cut out the arm from a magazine and taped it to the mirror. Or, as one could claim, it's a joke
Ehhh this one looks like it was intentionally done as sarcastic lol
Baggy pants syndrome. When you stretch the fabric over the knee, over time it stays stretched when you stand up and bulges out
Load More Replies...The Instagram Reality moderators previously told Bored Panda that the coronavirus quarantine had slightly increased the subreddit’s membership but the amount of edited and photoshopped photos that people upload hasn’t decreased much during the pandemic.
The mods told Bored Panda that what people want to see are natural photos of influencers and celebrities, not done up and “edited to hell” images. “The influencer is going to realize that, I’m sure," the mods said about how they expected popular IG users to react to being stuck at home during the lockdowns which are now being eased or ended all over the world.
I Don't Even Know
Her stomach's actually...concave. She should probably get that looked at...
Yeah if she didn't Photoshop this that's not healthy that's dangerous
Load More Replies...Now I'm picturing barbequed barbies melting. Thanks😀
Load More Replies...This is so sad. She seems really young. Already so, so unhappy in her own real body
That is not what any human being is supposed to look like.
Load More Replies...That's because it is. It's a frame captured from a game console. The comments are hilarious because all these people think it's a real person. Goes to show how good the quality of computer generated images is these days. The dog, the tile work and the pool should have all been clues
Load More Replies...Disturbed. Wouldn't it feel better to have attention based off of natural qualities? I don't f**k with social media other than this site but I feel sad for those who are so desperate for attention they f**k their photos up just to get attention of some kind -.-...
Half Person Half Cartoon?!
It's probably to cover up the blood from when they cut off her left leg and positioned it partially behind her.
Photographer here! Most likely the retoucher did a layer of color over the skin to even out the tone, but forgot to change the blending mode so it looked natural. Oopsie.
I think the photographer used a piece of cardboard.
Load More Replies...Somebody was photoshop tanning this woman and forgot to press the blend button on her lower half.
I hate when that happens. Excuse me, I need to change out of my Sponge Bob pants....
Found One In The Wild. I Bet She’s Never Late With Those Legs
With those legs, walking would be faster than driving a Ferrari.
Load More Replies...No, I expect she's always late - you'd have to be careful for fear they'd snap.
Or maybe not? What if it is legit, and she just has long legs (and/or unfortunate camera angle). And everyone here is making fun of her.
Load More Replies...Your legs walked through the door on time, but you were an hour late, you're fired.
According to the Instagram Reality team, “insecurity, envy, and money” are the forces driving some people to photoshop their pictures so heavily before uploading them on social media. That and wanting to avoid embarrassment because of real or imagined imperfections.
What can start out as a few simple edits or adding some minor filters can eventually lead to major photoshopping. And that creates a huge difference between how the person looks in real life and how they present themselves online.
To be fair, most of us try to show the best sides of ourselves to people. But there’s a rather obvious line between that and turning yourself into a completely different individual online.
The Baddest Indeed
Good question. Maybe Fake Accounts that just randomly like stuff?
Load More Replies...Such A Pretty Sunset :)
I guess she took this picture on Tatooine, that's why the two suns ...
And, if the sun’s setting behind you, how can it be blinding you in front... ? 🤦🏽♀️
I love that she's shading her eyes from the sun that's supposed to be behind her
The sunset....with a dose of sun in the face. It's amazing how stupid people can be.
I love how it's setting behind her but she's shielding her face
This Is... A Lot To Take In
Thank God this wasn't around in the 1980s. Mys sis and I had enough body image issues as it was....
OOHHH MYYYYY there is so much wrong here. She appears to be a cute young lady, It's sad she feels this is beauty.
it was for a video they did badly photoshopping each other's pictures.
Load More Replies...So many things are wrong with this picture, first of all no one ever had waist like that secondly that man’s arm is messed up.
I Have No Idea What This Is...
I know you mean an insect, but honestly, to me this just looks like a bug (glitch) in the matrix :D
Load More Replies...Where's The Nose?
It's okie now. Voldy's now moldy, remember?
Load More Replies...Well That's Something New
I used to admire this lifestyle. Beauty gurus in their big mansions, youtubers turned millionaires, "influencers" with their pretty hair and make-up always on point. And then I realized how tiresome their lives were. All the fakeness of it. I don't want to live a life where it takes me 20mn to post a photo so people I don't know and I don't care about click a button that magically makes me "worthy". The lack of self-esteem, the level of body dismorphia they suffer, the sadness they must feel every morning looking in the mirror and failing to see the true beauty in themselves. I'll pass, thanks. I left this world of consumerism and found myself a new dream: owning a piece of land to grow my own vegetable garden. It was truly a breath of fresh air.
My brother actually knows an influencer. She's always - CONSTANTLY - online, has to check her profiles and has to take tons of photos just so one of them can become trendy. It's exhausting. Sure, it makes money, but there's no free-time, no 'me-time' for her, alsways the pressure to be better, prettier, cleverer, at places that are interesting with people that seem interesting... blabla bla. I don't think I could do that, even if I were interesting.
Load More Replies...even the background, the flower vase, the coffee & croissant & the wa'ever it is... is all fake! whats wrong with her..
When making breakfast, I also always display packaged products (bacon, ham, eggs) on the table to give it that extra wealthy look.
Still life with unopened packs of bacon and food plate out of reach.
She Looks Better Without It Though....
I found that so funny, because it's an 'ideal' picture (to the general public) which is then improved for the specific instagram crowd.
Load More Replies...Does nobody know "that guy" on the billboard is Yao Ming, former NBA All-Star?
Wow really thought it was Micheal Jordan wow thanks buddy!
Load More Replies...Dude in background did not asked to be involved in your shenanigans
The Face Of A Ps3 Character
No cat's eyes should ever be that demonically bright. Jeez!
Load More Replies...Argh it's like a scary bad Sims nightmare, all he needs is the green diamond over his head
Photoshopping himself is one thing, but then he drags the cat into it.
Is this supposed to be sexy? Do cats make you more appealing? Gonna get a cat. *gets cat* Nope still ugly. *wallowing in a sea of disappointment*
At least now you have a cat. Think positive!
Load More Replies...It all makes sense. The cat looks like an Oblivion NPC trying to sell me healing potions.
The Queen Of Makeup
So true, she looks a lot realer and someone who I'd like to meet. Not someone who I think is super mean and just like every other girl online.
Load More Replies...Hard being in that family where looks are everything. Now she's made her huge fortune on that premise. Her sister Khloe has totally changed her appearance.
They just caught her on a snack run without makeup. Women don't wear makeup all the time.
She actually looks way nicer in reality. How sad that someone this pretty and friendly looking feels she has to turn herself into that.
I had no idea who that was when I scrolled down - and I disagree she's cuter in person, plus I doubt that 2nd pic is as candid as it seems since they're all obsessed with photoshopping as much as possible. I mean, does she know that we have eyeballs and someone is going to put 2 and 2 together that the before and after looks like 2 completely different ppl with nothing in common within the pictures (?)
Turns Out Those Organs Did Exist After All
The head is photoshopped at a weird angle and too big for the body
Load More Replies...Something Out Of An Indie Horror Game
Hey, don't be so mean! Her head is so small, her brain is probably too small to know better! :(
her elbow curves inward... also wot the hek she's not even-her hand- it isnt even...
She Could've Just Said The Truth..
Yes, it's like the other day when Meaghan McCain (whom I usually like) claimed that her neighborhood was on fire/wrecked by the protests, and her neighbor called her out. Why post something so stupidly false? PEOPLE WILL CHECK.
Load More Replies...But that's not even something to flex about! I just don't get it. Why do they still try.
Anybody else notice that the photographer ain't got no legs... seems like a fake trying to make someone look fake.
that my friend is what we call "a ledge". Its part of the building the hidden photographer is in.
Load More Replies...Post vs. Profile Picture.
She looks so much better in reality. Do some people go for the extra large, square forehead look?
She looks so much better before photoshopping herself. The edited version looks like she's got some sort of genetic mutation.
she isn't actually sick. i peeped her stuff and there's nothing actually wrong with her aside from anorexia. she likes showing off how skinny she is and posing in hospitals with all the gizmos and gadgets. defo Munchausens
Load More Replies...WTF she's so pretty why would she think she has to do this to her photos? Poor girl.
Stop feeling the need to change the color of your skin, in addition to your entire body. This comes from racism and xenophobia
She is a well known faker and fakes lots of illnesses to get hospital glamour shots. She makes her skin paler so she looks more sick
Load More Replies...You are already in hospital how much sicker do you want to look?
Linkedin Now Too
Real quick question though, why does this trigger my arachnophobia?
Load More Replies...If she's on LinkedIn endorsing your exorcist, then get another one.
This Fake Influencer Likes To Pretend She’s Rich, Constantly Posting Pictures Like That With Captions Like „short Trip To Clear My Mind“.
Coz she's probably leaning her hand on a surface irl, it looks like she's about to tip into the pool XD
Yes, I think that's supposed to be Tree Pose? Good grief.
Load More Replies...Well I guess it's better to be faking vacations than impossible body images
It's the "about to break my knee - tree pose". Above or below, but never on the knee!!!
Load More Replies...Glad I gave up Facebook and insta-ME..what garbage
Load More Replies...This Girl Has A Disney-Themed Account, For Her ‘Travels’... Most Of The Pics Are Like This
That was my first thought too. It's impossible to take a picture alone. Even on slow days, there are people everywhere.
Load More Replies...A$$ So Phat Even The Car Had To Make Space
bet it sounds like https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEC3zXbqZ4A
Load More Replies...The door frame looks like it doesn't want to be near that A** either!!
What is this obsession with grotesquely fat asses? How is that attractive? I'm afraid I just don't understand.
Why Do Women Want To Look Like This??
Because we've learned that men want women who look like that?
Load More Replies...for the same reason that body builders take a massive amount of steroids to become abnormally large.... BODY. DYSMORPHIA.
There is a condition where, upon a female entering puberty, most of the internal organs migrate to the pectoral area. This young woman is brave, so brave.
Anorexia is a disease why would you want to look like that. She looks like she's days away from dying of starvation.
Except for her breasts. They seem well fed?
Load More Replies...Now I've got the comical mental pic of a spider wearing this kind of sleazy lingerie, LOL.
Load More Replies...She doesn't even photoshop herself into Disney she just has the tv on in the background
Who Needs Organs Anyway?
Why do people do this? Do they think anyone finds a 12-inch waist attractive?
"And I put all my intestines inside old perfume bottles. LIFE HACK!!!"
Body dismorphia is a real thing (on a side note, I really don't know if I spelled dismorphia right, auto correct can't even find it)
Bianca Dragusanu is her name... She looks like that in real life.
Yeah, no she doesn't :)) She's had a lot of surgery, granted. But she does not have that breast - waist - hip ratio. No one does, you physically can't unless you've been wearing a corset since you were 10 years old and all your internal organs have shifted position
Load More Replies...This reminds me of a documentary Thin about anorexia and bulimia, a sad reality
And for lunch today, I had a pea. I'm stuffed. Will probably skip dinner!
I Think We've All Wondered What She Really Looks Like
I have always wondered (I saw this person on another panda thread) she actually has really nice real life proportions it must be so hard for people with body dysmorphia and or low self esteem (I mean my self esteem isn't great as I'm a heavily scarred from various surgeries etc and im not exactly fit, but i can own it)
Exactly. I don't understand why she (for example) would prefer the fake version on the left. Her real body and face look nice, fresh, balanced, and I would even say healthy.
Load More Replies...We all should own the fact that we are glomming on poor sods, who want to live up to a false reality that we support, by buying into it. OK, stepping off speech box, now.
Profile Pic On Twitter vs. Still From Interview
This "Makeup Artist" Advertising Her Work...
Stop with the whitewashing! There’s so many beautiful women in the world yet they want to bleach their skin to look white. You’re beautiful just the way you are. Your skin is beautiful too. It’s sad they feel that they have to do that
Having a fair or white skin tone in Asian countries is like having a tan in western countries. It's considered attractive. It has nothing to do with being white. This is the same for Females and Males. This is the simplest explanation I can think of. Not saying it's ok but it is what it is.
Load More Replies...How did they make their skin from a beautifly normal and caramel-y color to someone who has never gone outside of their house?
My reaction exactly. She has shopped out any semblance of her ethnicity....so sad to have that mindset.
Load More Replies...It looks like you get murdered and replaced with a plastic mannequin... scary!!!
She has beautiful skin and a lovely face; why change it to look like a sex doll?
This way it can be done at home via Zoom. Keep business going!
Such A Beautiful Home
This Can't Be Just "Angles"
My eyes are at different levels. Not everyone has a symmetrical face. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Load More Replies...I am a graphic artist, if you look at her lower left jaw (right side of pic)really close up you can see the horrile lumpy photoshop done there, also her skin has been smoothed,,etc...this can all be done on something as easy as Snapseed, I have played with my own pic this way for fun but would never post them!
A photoshopped Kardashian is more common than a Zubat in Gens I-VII. And just as annoying.
Literally A Different Person Every Single Photo
She’s paid all that money on plastic surgery, completely altering her body. And still not happy, otherwise why would you photoshop every picture to oblivion
that nobody can say anymore: you are not the daughter of robert kardashian. because you look more like your mother's ex hairdresser - alex roldan
Load More Replies...Why does she photo shop so much, we know what she looks like because she has a stupid TV show.
Armpit? I Don’t Know Her
I didn't know my armpits were a source of shame now they are coming for earlobes next
My armpits are actually a source of shame. They are very very dark.Is my less favorite part of my body. Even less then my flip flop breasts.
Load More Replies...It's trying to escape this shambles - navels are smart!
Load More Replies...Her boobs appear to have gone out in sympathy with their missing armpit pals? Surely her friend could share some boobs love?
I’m Sorry But His Edited Nose On The Left Literally Looks Like It’s Going To Collapse
I mean, some peoples lips just kinda naturally part? Like mine?? So, i don't see the need for the hate??
Load More Replies...And for what purpose? His nose is really nice-looking in reality.
Load More Replies...Dude is so fake. I refuse to buy his products and anything with his name. Just normal people doing makeup is nice for normal people's faces. Not aliens or plastics. An SIstaaaaaa don't forget in real life ya gotta wash it off eventually. Someone will see what's hiding. This is insecurity and need for constant approval in all these pics.
Wow he must be so good at makeup even his individual eyelashes are identical.
I Posted The Left One Yesterday And People Were Not Believing That The Hair Don’t Belongs To Her
I were not believing that Bored Panda don't thinks grammar check is important.
Mmmm, I love grammars? They is good with chalk o'lot and marsh. Mellows. I make some mores.
Load More Replies...It looks like she digitally copied the hair from the picture on the right, which is from Wella hair care.
Load More Replies...I love it when "they" post something that clearly has the original poster's address/company name. (And Bored Panda doesn't alter the original poster's grammar, that's one of the things that makes them look so foolish).
She Doesn't Even Look Like The Same Person
The one on the left looks like she's been rode hard and put up wet very often lol
The Model Who Denies Any Photoshop And The Case Of The Disappearing Glass Cutout!
I'm Publishing A Story On Google Docs Called: "The Model That Denies Any Photoshop". Who Wants To Be In The Story?
she said that there was bird poop and she didn't want it in the picture. ppl keep attacking her for it its getting out of hand and ppl are telling her she makes ppl have ed
Your Story vs. Your Friend's Story
I Have Seen This Girl Here So Many Times And People Alway Wonder What She Looks Like Without The Makeup And Editing. Well, Here It Is
She might not need it but she is part of the gothic subculture. So heavy makeup is an element of the subculture.
Load More Replies...Wednesday Addams, sans makeup, is apparently Samara Morgan meets Lisbeth Salander IRL. Neat!
Which one has no editing how does she look amazing in one and the background cover her hair in the other
This is why I don't go for women who wear lots of make-up. I want to know what they actually look like.
shes beautiful! everybody is :) dont be ashamed about the way god made you. <3
You Can’t Even Tell
It looks like her leg goes right into her boobs! No torso at all. Smh.
Found On Twitter... All The Replies Are Girls Saying They Wish They Looked Like Her
Probably she also wishes to look like that. That's facebook filter, I have it too. Ridiculous.
Those replies are all from Praying Mantises, I'm sure. That way, it even makes sense
nobody wants to look like that. she prob. posted those comments herself
Instagram vs. Youtube Video
give me an F! "F!" give me an A! "A!" give me a K! "K!" give me an E! "E!" what's that spell?... FAKE!
It’s Like That Episode Of Friends When Ross Wears A Whitening Strip For Too Long Before His Date
It's Only "Makeup"
Gasping For Air
"and the aliens noticed that the females of the species had evolved into only having one large tooth that filled their entire mouth".....
Ol' Peg Leg Just Having A Candid Moment While The Pavement Slips Into An Alternate Reality
The “Reality” Pic’s Shadow Looks Suspicious
The reality shot isn't reality either though - compare her waist with her shadow. Still faking it.
Load More Replies...Real Life vs. Instagram.. I Appreciate Her Leaving In The Dandruff Though
How She Looks vs. What She Posts...bruh
She Looks Perfectly Fine On The Left, Why Did She Have To Be Edited To Not Have Skin Pores, Weird Eyelashes, And A Creepy Mouth And Teeth?
I Just Can’t Anymore
I wish people who stop writing half sentences like "I Just Can’t Anymore". That means absolutely nothing.
Im not sure Id like to know what you can here.... nope.
Load More Replies...aside from her sister's porn video, everything since then has pretty much been plastic-surgery and / or photoshop for the entire family. :(
Pants are not fitting that well in the crotch-area, are they? Must be uncomfortable.
I wonder if they sometimes catch sight of themselves in a mirror and wonder 'who the hell is that?' Reality must be as blurred af.
Why does people in this family doesn't have any satisfaction on their body? They did everything to make money, to have cosmetic surgery and yet they still photoshopping their pictures. Aren't they gonna be happy for once in their life? The need for appreciation and acceptance by the world are endless. They can't even accept themselves.
There is a limit to the holding. Even the pants look weird
Load More Replies...She Uses Stickers To Coverup The Mess Of Her Photoshopping Skills
Why on earth do women think that a HUGE butt is attractive? I'm asking for real.
Especially when a naturally 'grown' butt will only get ridicule and dieting-advice...
Load More Replies...The pockets are a dead giveaway. Women's pockets are never that big lol
From A Shop On Instagram. Toe Knuckles Are Apperently Not Ideal
Well, I can sympathise with that!! Stubbed my toe this morning and it's so swollen and shiny that it doesnt have an obvious knuckle either! 🦶😲🦶
Oh dear! Toes are so sensitive. Have you tried putting your foot up and icing it?
Load More Replies...Imagine being so insecure that you have to blur out your TOE KNUCKLES
It goes around the inside only, the other side is clear
Load More Replies...no ankles... no knuckles... huge feet... no blemishes... it's too much!
A Certain Designer(70) Seem To Really Be Enjoying The Blur Tool!
That’s the result of too many fillers etc catching up. The skin still loosens and the fillers kind of clump together in the middle. So sad to see things like this, how is that better than just aging?
Load More Replies...I doubt Vera W**g condones the fake images. The right image is pretty much accurate. She could afford to have anything ad everything done, but seems comfortable in her own skin. Gifted, saavy, successful. Poor thing, she's no longer thirty.
I’m Pretty Sure Your Mask Isn’t Supposed To Look Like That.
He Claims To Be One Of The Best Jocker Cosplays And He Has More Than 1k Followers On Instagram. The Tattoos... I Can't...
Those are so obviously photoshopped, like, if you're going to put that much effort into it, you might as well change the lighting of the mask so it looks realistic lol
She Even Edits The Waist Of Her Own Mom On Mother's Day
What Are Skin Pores? What Are Armpits?
people who edit like this make young girls feel like they aren't enough
Remember That Girl A While Ago That Apparently Had A Rib Removed? Turns Out She Uses Filters As Well
Well I Guess Having A Totally Different Person In Your Instagram Account Is Normal Today
this was meant to be for a post about how much instagram filters change your appearance, not idiotic fakery
At least on the right they look like they might be enjoying themselves.
No joke...China and Japan got their editing game down. They can edit themselves into a whole different species like almost flawlessly.
Why Anyone Would Try To Sell A Product With Pics Like This Is Beyond Me
What She Posted vs. A Video Screenshot
This actually isn't so bad, she hardly edited herself and mostly just sharpened up the image. This is what Instagram was made for: just decent edits of photos.
Hardly...? Never ever have seen a skin so soft except on filter Max 5
Load More Replies...So it appears both are altered or she's on her way for rotator cuff surgery on the shoulder.
Is It Just Me Or Is The Background Fake?
No, blue has never been your color and never will be. Only in your wildest photoshop dreams.
I could be totally wrong, but it looks like Shops at Merrick Park in Coral Gables, FL
Some of these pictures look like the result of a severe mental disorder. They need professional help in order to accept what they are.
I would love to learn "The miraculous art of bending time, reality and space".... these ladies use.
I just want to say people are judging these post quite harshly but not taking the time to use empathy for what these people are going through. Society has made everyone believe they must be perfect and this is why people edit there photos its not that hard to have empathy or to understand these people and there choices
Most of these persons must be really very, very sick. I find this pretty sad.
If a person has to change themselves this much on social media, they need to talk to a therapist because they have some form of body dysmorphia. If they don't have body dysmorphia, they are just desperate for followers.
Some of these pictures look like the result of a severe mental disorder. They need professional help in order to accept what they are.
I would love to learn "The miraculous art of bending time, reality and space".... these ladies use.
I just want to say people are judging these post quite harshly but not taking the time to use empathy for what these people are going through. Society has made everyone believe they must be perfect and this is why people edit there photos its not that hard to have empathy or to understand these people and there choices
Most of these persons must be really very, very sick. I find this pretty sad.
If a person has to change themselves this much on social media, they need to talk to a therapist because they have some form of body dysmorphia. If they don't have body dysmorphia, they are just desperate for followers.
