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Pixels, Megapixels, Digital Images & 'Laugh Lines'

Okay, it's Friday and I REALLY need to have answers to this thing that's been bothering me for quite some time. You know how people keep saying that we should have our REAL pictures up here without 'touching it up'? Well, I think that's B.S. Why? Why would anyone want to show their detailed 'laugh lines' (okay, age lines, wrinkles)

Generally thinking, pixels are the smallest single component of a digital image. Regarding cameras, digital images are 'photosensor elements'. In plain language it means the more pixels used to represent an image....well, the more it represents a more detailed image (closer to the original as possible)

As technology progressed with cameras and making pictures more detailed I started wondering why MY 'laugh lines' were way too detailed. I look in the mirror and they don't REALLY look like that so I figured I liked the mirror look best.... LOL!

When I'm blurring the 'laugh lines' with Photoshop to make my lines (and EVERYONE elses that I took a picture of) look softer I crack up thinking that everyone else is leaving every little speck....

....every little zit left in their pictures too ... haha......

As my daughter would say, "WHAT'S POPPIN'?!"

I am aging gracefully (maybe) at a soon to be 51 years. A little lot vain when it comes to showing EVERY little laugh line I have that would not be as bad with maybe a 2 megapixel camera.....not to mention scaring away potential clients LOL. (good thing I have some Asian to slow down that process lol)

So....what are your thoughts on the picture process for displaying your detailed everything ALL over the internet? (young people need not chime in if they don't understand that one day they'll be in the same position. haha)

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate on 08/15/2008 03:09 PM

Comments (51)

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51 Comments on Pixels, Megapixels, Digital Images & 'Laugh Lines'

AUG

2008

Sally, It's all about personal preference I guess. I just don't want people doing a double take when they see me in person... the way I did recently when I met with an agent who looked like the mother of the person in her photo.

BTW, my photo is 8 years old... time for a new one.

Sally- you are hilarious. I had my photo taken in the middle of winter and look ghostly. I've been considering having it redone so that I look like I have a pulse, but hadn't thought about touching it up. Of course, some things just can't be fixed with photoshop.

Pictures have been touched up since the dawn of photography. There is nothing wrong with that. I can only hope to age as gracefully as you are, Sally (I'm not far behind!). You do not look about to be 51.

The same people who are saying to let it all show probably like the way they look in a bathing suit under dressing room fluorescent lights. Their opinion is of no relevance to me. Do what you are comfortable with and to heck with the rest.

Sally,

I say to each his/her own....although I do think that we should be a fair resemblance to any photo we are portraying as us online. Looks and age have nothing to do with how good of a business person someone is. As long as they keep themselves nicely and well-groomed, that's all that matters when it comes to looks.

Sally, honey, you look great. As for me, I hate my picture being taken, always have, always will. The one I have on my profile is recent, taken last summer and I can live with it. Would prefer no pic.

Sally, 51? I thought you were something like 26. You look MARVELOUS darling. Just be yourself.

In person, what you see is what you get. I'm not about to go back to make up. Too much trouble and a pain in the neck.

As for photos, I recommend the Loretta Young look. I believe that Loretta Young was always photographed through multiple filters. It was funny. You's see some else up close and the picture would be crisp and sharp. When they cut to Loretta, the exposure was extremely, well, fuzzy.

When I had my last professional photo taken back in 2000, I told the photographer that I wanted the Loretta Young look.

She knew exactly what I meant.

I like the natural picture. I think it's funny to meet someone who from their photo looks more like a fashion model than a Real Estate Agent and then face to face they look nothing like the photo.

Hey, we're supposed to put our "best" face forward in advertising... right? Does anyone think that means anything different? Kinda like planting flowers to enhance a home's curb appeal, or turning on the lights to take better interior photos... Now, that doesn't mean an agent should use a 5-year old photo! It should be the best possible "now" photo.

The photo that I am using was snapped in my office by a colleague. Everytime I tried to get it on cards, signs, websites, they'd say they couldn't use it because the quality was bad. I said, "Use it anyway. It's no different from blurring photos for glamour shots!" So I guess I agree with you somewhat. Or I'm too cheap to get a quality photo....or I don't want all wrinkles to show up in that quality shot.

They fuzzed out some of my laugh lines but I still look like me in my picture. I figure if people recognize me in the grocery store...my picture must be a pretty accurate representation! You look great, BTW. :)

The beautiful thing about digital photography is editing software: YAY Geeks!

Sally......great story. With my bifocal contact lenses everyone is a little bit fuzzy. Crisp is really good for long distance! <:)

C Sally C, you look marvelous! Absolutely marvelous! I'd paint your portrait in a heartbeat, sweetie. It is impossible to guess your age and that is very cool, indeed. I am 43 years old. My six year old took my picture, so I am hanging out there with no touch ups for all of the world to see. I guess each person has to decide what they want to do with their photograph and make it happen. I do not wear make up, so what you see is what you get, period. No point in me touching up anything. :-D

Everyone:

Just for your info...my profile picture is from my bedroom (my husband took it) just this last December 2007. I only wear my hair down a few times a year (holidays, occasions) and the rest of the time it's in a ponytail for up and on the go! (and I hate my hair in my face but I like it long for ponytails :)

Shirley: My comment above :) So our appearances would be 'different' with hair styles and stuff as well. :)

Erik: That's funny. I don't have a tan...can't stand going in the sun....more wrinkles hahahahahah!

Hey Elaine: Ha! I will and do. It's not that I'm going to alter and put my head on some wonderful looking bikini clad pic....I'm just talking a 'smoother' look :)

Jo: I have always wanted to present myself without too many megapixels. I have found it's like looking into a magnifying glass and there is no need to show depth when it really doesn't look like that in real life. Professional photos are done the same...they blur the wrinkles and smudges and they are up to date.

Sandra: See what blurring and softening can do hahaha. I look different in every picture...

Gary: YOu're silly. It's the blur tool and the creams we all 'mature' women use lol!

Lenn: OH, no....I wear makeup but it's because otherwise I 'look' tired without mascara lol. I wouldn't want them thinking I'm too tired to take care lol!

Patrick: Believe me...I look like my picture at Christmas time....except I think I've put on a few from last Christmas that I can't seem to shed....haha. In any case, what's the differerence between professional photos where the guy puts odd color 'lipstick' that doesn't match and a recent one of us that is softened? I wear the same glamour makeup every day lol!

Margaret: You said it well! Curb appeal. Guys don't worry ....they don't need makeup to look feminine and gorgeous lol! If I used a five year old photo...let me go find one :)

Sally~ Hey! A little touching up never hurts.... what about those "neck" lines, lol!

Barbara: Yeah...I would use ones that I thought looked okay.... 'professional' ones sometimes don't look so professional :)

Kelly: Yeah...I look like me too....and nothing wrong with blurring and softening. What I really don't like is to see all those ALL NATURAL looks and they look like junk.

Kent: I guess that was a woohoo???? :) NO kidding... I don't like to be scared either Lol!

I just had new photo's taken yesterday. I was horrified at the neck wrinkles in the ones where I was turned to the side and looking toward the photographer. I don't get that angle looking in the mirror! I chose different poses....but maybe I should have considered touch-up!

Pam: Good thing we're all fuzzy....then no matter what I look ....fuzzy. lol!

C: You're still young...wait ten more years when your metabolism is low and so do those lines!

Vickie: Let's not go overboard now lol!

Renee: It is traumatic when it doesn't really look like that. Why would we show the public that? Hey, I know...so they can say...hey! You look younger than your picture!

Hey, Photoshop is a whole lot cheaper and easier than a face lift! But at this point, I am considering the latter!

51? Are you sure? I might need to see your birth certificate....you look fantastic-o!

Sally - You ain't 51! I better leave it at that!

Pat: hahahahaa....that's what I was thinking...but you said it! I watched it on tv and changed my mind....

Kristin: Believe me...I do some photoshop blurring. Good thing it does the job lol!

Gary: Okay...wise guy...come meet me and then you can say something :) Hi Gary!

Hi Sally, I just read your post and rather than answer in my usual techie/marketing kind of way, it's Friday and I thought I'd just give you an honest opinion from a guy's point of view.

A lot of women (31, 41, 51 or other) would kill to look like you. I guess we all do what we can to look our best and this is a totally "unprofessional comment" (feel free to delete it) but... with a beautiful face like yours, anyone who is looking for laugh lines has their priorities mixed up. You're as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside.

marti: okay....should I crack a joke or humbly accept your compliment? Believe me...that profile pic is only at Christmas time lol! Every Christmas I change my profile pic. Awww heck ....let's go have a cup of kona :)

P.S. and just like you....beauty, success and everything positive in a person comes from within and radiates into the world :) Thanks marti. :)

AUG

2008

I am going with an Avatar - this way no one will question the 'air-brushing'

James: hahhaha...hey, I should of just pretended from the beginning... the cartoon look can disguise much lol!

Sally - Sometimes I just get a kick out of your blogs. I really like this one because I am a photographer and yes technology has changed. I think that you will look great no matter what you do to your photos.

Just my opinion!

Morning Sally,

I agree with Robert, you look fine and always will. I see no problem with adding makeup to enhance even further, something of beauty! Photo touch-up is like applying make-up. (To my way of thinking anyway)

I wouldn't worry too much about seeing the wrinkles....unless you have a camera with HD...then you can see every line and wrinkle and blemish... etc. I would show the big rings under my eyes.:)

Well I'm a guy so not sure it matters but my picture is untouched. It is however almost 2 years old now so I do need to update it. I see nothing wrong with touching up a little. After all a professional photog would do the same thing.

I loathe my pic being taken. Perhaps that has something to do with the whole 'manufactored smile' thing they seem to always ask for. Yes, you do look great, Sis... runs in the family;-) A touched up photo is something I can live with, yet I'd rather have it up to date. I fear the day I run into somebody and don't recognize them because their picture is more outdated than bell bottoms.

Oh those neck wrinkles.. not much to do with them. What you see is what you get now, but I may consider something later. I did have my husband take some wrinkles out once. I looked 10 years younger but didn't need it at the time. Now I do.

Missy: I better go look for neck wrinkles now...lol!

Lil Bro: You do? I don't mind when Gary takes them...he makes me crack up.

BB: I guess they would wouldn't they?

Neal: Oh...the dreaded rings. lol

Hal: You might think differently in person. :)

Robert: Oh....the pictures look softer but my bubbly personality takes over in person LOL!

Warning: this is a plagiarized comment: "I loathe my picture being taken" oh thank you Jason....that was exactly my sentiment so I copied you :)

Sally- I don't care how many mexapixels are in the camera....if the picture shows every imperfection well.....give me those Loretta Young filters, photoshop, or leave the picture off the Internet...... LOL :) Loved all the comments...interesting to see the different points of view.

To much vanity for me on this page. Enjoy who you are and get on with life.

Kathy: I agree...we always want to look our best when advertising :)

Hollis: Oops...sorry you didn't like the fun Friday post. It's interesting to see what's going on in the minds of all when it comes to how we advertise ourselves all over the internet. I'm sure you wouldn't take your picture as soon as you get up in the am and slap it on a business card :)

And believe me....most of us here have been on AR for quite awhile and love the POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul group. :)

SALLY, I'm all for the professional taken picture. I had had both and I don't know what he used professionally but he softened the whole picture. The other thing he did was take the picture at the right time of day with the shadows and I'm not squinting in to the camera.

Marchel: Which is fine and dandy. I think I need to have my husband take the pictures at sunrise or sunset...nice soft lighting.

Sally yep I only have "low resolution mirrors" though out my house also ........... LOL

Thank goodness for "Photoshop" ........... LOL

Sally, you are beautiful and there isn't even a crease, let alone a wrinkle of your face! I am Italian and I am lucky to have dark skin. I have a few wrinkles and I don't mind the ones around my eyes because I came by them honestly (I laugh a lot). But the wrinkle on the left side of my mouth is driving me nuts. It's just there.... all the time. Drats. But, I hate the fact that when I watch Desperate Housewives, every time they get up close to those actresses, the focus gets a bit fuzzy. What the hell? As an aging woman, turning 49 in less than 3 weeks, it would be nice to know that we can be beautiful at every age.

LOL! I'm all for erasing laugh lines. My seem to be getting bigger by the minute =(

AUG

2008

I think it is okay to want to look a little younger. I feel a little younger if I look a little younger. Sally I'll be 45 this year I feel like I'm 26. I really try to keep the picture updated every couple years. Yes each year I have less wrinkles in the picture!

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