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“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.

#1

I'm So Glad This Greek TV Host Has Her Own Personal Cloud That Follows Her Everywhere She Goes

I'm So Glad This Greek TV Host Has Her Own Personal Cloud That Follows Her Everywhere She Goes

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

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.

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#3

Damn He's Ripped

Damn He's Ripped

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RaroaRaroa
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ripped all right. Ripped his arm straight out of a magazine page.

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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.

#6

Found One In The Wild. I Bet She’s Never Late With Those Legs

Found One In The Wild. I Bet She’s Never Late With Those Legs

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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.

#8

Such A Pretty Sunset :)

Such A Pretty Sunset :)

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#9

This Is... A Lot To Take In

This Is... A Lot To Take In

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#11

Where's The Nose?

Where's The Nose?

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#12

Well That's Something New

Well That's Something New

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

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.

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#13

She Looks Better Without It Though....

She Looks Better Without It Though....

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#14

The Face Of A Ps3 Character

The Face Of A Ps3 Character

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#16

Turns Out Those Organs Did Exist After All

Turns Out Those Organs Did Exist After All

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#19

Post vs. Profile Picture.

Post vs. Profile Picture.

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

She looks so much better in reality. Do some people go for the extra large, square forehead look?

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#21

This Fake Influencer Likes To Pretend She’s Rich, Constantly Posting Pictures Like That With Captions Like „short Trip To Clear My Mind“.

This Fake Influencer Likes To Pretend She’s Rich, Constantly Posting Pictures Like That With Captions Like „short Trip To Clear My Mind“.

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#22

This Girl Has A Disney-Themed Account, For Her ‘Travels’... Most Of The Pics Are Like This

This Girl Has A Disney-Themed Account, For Her ‘Travels’... Most Of The Pics Are Like This

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#23

A$$ So Phat Even The Car Had To Make Space

A$$ So Phat Even The Car Had To Make Space

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#24

Why Do Women Want To Look Like This??

Why Do Women Want To Look Like This??

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

for the same reason that body builders take a massive amount of steroids to become abnormally large.... BODY. DYSMORPHIA.

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

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.

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

Anorexia is a disease why would you want to look like that. She looks like she's days away from dying of starvation.

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

She should be laying in a hospital bed, she looks sick! Eat a GD burger will you?!?!

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Jade Drew
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well as a woman I can say we don't want to look like this 😂

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

She doesn't even photoshop herself into Disney she just has the tv on in the background

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

I am a woman and if I looked like this, I would seek immediate medical attention

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

That look is not sustainable, and arguably harmful to any followers as well.

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

Why. Just why?! It looks weird! Why aren't people content with themselves?!

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

Too weird do they really think people believe they look like that

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

Men made us want to look like that it's sad really bc it isn't attractive at all

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Jaybird3939
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because men lose their effing minds about them until they actually meet them and find out how vain and selfish they are.

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1337
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Why Do Women Want To Look Like This??" Because people buy things with girls looking like these.

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

Hi, my name is Rebecca and I am an Anorexic! Come on and repeat that with me.

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

god that is sad that she thinks she needs to look like that

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

This is really sad - and what's worse is that there are plenty of people/industries that promote this type of look, resulting in girls/women going through excruciating lengths to achieve not only an unnatural look, but also an unhealthy self image of how they should look

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

We don’t want to look like that. Sick young girls might but women don’t.

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

I don't know how many men, or women, would want to curl up with this person.

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

S**t..no, really, could almost see her s**t through her backbone in these

garth_1 avatar
Garth Robinson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

to be alluring to the opposite sex, thanx but no thanx I'd be scared she'd break in two if I hugged her !!

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

You have to give her, or her editing team, props. The lines in the bricks are all straight. The chairs are straight. The white part of the cabinet behind her left arm looks a little off, but not terrible.

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

I don't know why some women want to look like this. I can say 100% with no doubt in my mind I'd love to look like her. Anything is better then me old ugly 46 hasn't been kind

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

A question to the men, or anyone who prefer woman. If you saw her looking like this in real life, you would......

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

Because society makes them feel like they have to look like that

t_janine avatar
Anonymous Web User
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is a result of the media, music videos and video games. The modern beauty standard is unnatural and can only be obtained with excessive plastic surgery and severe photo doctoring.

aimee-mastro avatar
Aimee hester
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because that's what we were raised to believe we are supposed to look like to be beautiful. So much shame

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

Too many young people, thinking they need to be, something they are not. Sad really.

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

What are you all talking about?! I see women walking around, looking just like this all day, every day lol.

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

Just do not understand why they think that people think this is for real

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

Is this Alenai Omovych? If it's her then she didn't Photoshop her figure or face.

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Malicity D'Obscuro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure she'd have issues trying to stand, with breasts like that. Same thing that happened with genetically modified chickens.

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

I have to know, are there ANY people that find this sexually attractive?

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

Why is she sending this message to the world? Being this thin is not normal.

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

Blame all the magazines and super models who teach us to be fail thin is beautiful. I don’t think that at all, I find this super unattractive and every single one I want to force feed cheeseburgers

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#25

Who Needs Organs Anyway?

Who Needs Organs Anyway?

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

Why do people do this? Do they think anyone finds a 12-inch waist attractive?

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#26

I Think We've All Wondered What She Really Looks Like

I Think We've All Wondered What She Really Looks Like

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

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)

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#27

Profile Pic On Twitter vs. Still From Interview

Profile Pic On Twitter vs. Still From Interview

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#29

Such A Beautiful Home

Such A Beautiful Home

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#30

This Can't Be Just "Angles"

This Can't Be Just "Angles"

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

Her eyes are at different levels! What on earth happened to the original photo

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#31

Literally A Different Person Every Single Photo

Literally A Different Person Every Single Photo

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

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

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#32

Armpit? I Don’t Know Her

Armpit? I Don’t Know Her

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

I didn't know my armpits were a source of shame now they are coming for earlobes next

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#33

I’m Sorry But His Edited Nose On The Left Literally Looks Like It’s Going To Collapse

I’m Sorry But His Edited Nose On The Left Literally Looks Like It’s Going To Collapse

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#34

I Posted The Left One Yesterday And People Were Not Believing That The Hair Don’t Belongs To Her

I Posted The Left One Yesterday And People Were Not Believing That The Hair Don’t Belongs To Her

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

I were not believing that Bored Panda don't thinks grammar check is important.

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Note: this post originally had 61 images. It’s been shortened to the top 34 images based on user votes.