GN. Here's a random post to counter what we normally see in social media. In addition to being filled with filters, social media is filled with retakes. People will take a picture multiple times and then only show the best one, which provides the idea that the picture they posted represents the baseline for how that setting looks, which is generally unrealistic. It's the best shot at the best time with the best intentions. The other day I went to NYC, and went up to an office I normally go to when I'm there, which has great views of the city. This day had clearer than normal weather, and I thought, "I'll take a pic." The first one was a dumpster fire. Sun in my face making for both squinting and unflattering lighting. Hair all frizzy from just coming in from the wind at 8am (took a pic while I literally still have my coat and backpack on). Crooked glasses as the cherry on top. So I see the laughable result, go and fix my hair for like a minute, pick a different angle, and retake the pic. It's still not amazing of course, but it's way better than the first dumpster fire pic, and only like 3 minutes later. Now imagine all the people that put makeup on or filters on, and how different their pics look from their reality. Never compare your first drafts to other peoples' final drafts. It's always a mess out there. image

Replies (36)

Many of us agree that both pics are pretty groove-a-licious 👍🏾 We all appreciate your hard work & consistent efforts to educate & inform folks. As previously mentioned, safe travels & have a great-great day! Take care, everyone ✌🏾
Some people don’t care about reality, they only care what they look like on social media. Thank you for being real.
One of my 2025 goals is to notice honesty and acknowledge it, and avoid negativity and negative people. This is an awesome post. 👍👍
Tim's avatar
Tim 1 year ago
appreciate this
OgFOMK ArTS's avatar
OgFOMK ArTS 1 year ago
My wife is very adamant about the edits. I'm trained to do 3 takes every time. I like your first one better. The contrast is good for the message. You could do an "about the author" photo in the end of your next page turner with the first one. Hopefully you won't delete it. Wait a few days for review. Good Evening.
FEW_BTC's avatar
FEW_BTC 1 year ago
Thnx for sharing... first one my fav... sun makes you glow, winded hair makes you look more free spirited... we all view the world through different filters. Your thoughtful posts are appreciated.
FEW_BTC's avatar
FEW_BTC 1 year ago
And... glasses give you a sophisticated look. It's all good. Peace to you.
You just jarred a fun memory for me. Years ago, when being courted by a guy, we were texting one evening. I told him I was getting ready to go out with friends. He asked me to send him a picture, but to send the first one. I was momentarily swept. He turned out to be as sly as his clever flirting should have signaled to me... fun memory though. I love that first picture. It's beautiful, raw, and real. This world needs more first takes and less filters.
Honk if you prefer messy ladies.
Lyn Alden's avatar Lyn Alden
GN. Here's a random post to counter what we normally see in social media. In addition to being filled with filters, social media is filled with retakes. People will take a picture multiple times and then only show the best one, which provides the idea that the picture they posted represents the baseline for how that setting looks, which is generally unrealistic. It's the best shot at the best time with the best intentions. The other day I went to NYC, and went up to an office I normally go to when I'm there, which has great views of the city. This day had clearer than normal weather, and I thought, "I'll take a pic." The first one was a dumpster fire. Sun in my face making for both squinting and unflattering lighting. Hair all frizzy from just coming in from the wind at 8am (took a pic while I literally still have my coat and backpack on). Crooked glasses as the cherry on top. So I see the laughable result, go and fix my hair for like a minute, pick a different angle, and retake the pic. It's still not amazing of course, but it's way better than the first dumpster fire pic, and only like 3 minutes later. Now imagine all the people that put makeup on or filters on, and how different their pics look from their reality. Never compare your first drafts to other peoples' final drafts. It's always a mess out there. image
View quoted note →
The first pic definitely makes it look like you know there's no second best. All jokes aside, they're both great. Always appreciate your honesty and integrity Lyn. It's a breath of fresh air.
funny thing is you are judging the first one but we don't even notice what you do. it looks natural and authentic. I've noticed that I can get super critical with taking selfies. then later like days or maybe months I come back to look at some photos I find my critical eye a lot less fixated on the little details I might have noticed before. I wish we were less of a filtered society. It's damaging our perception of reality and creating all kinds of distortions.
justanode's avatar
justanode 1 year ago
Corporate needed me to find the difference between those pictures. But they are the same 😆
Yet I find the first one better. Looks more natural, like a real person and the second edited. Can only say that cause you posted both of course. I like reality better.
This is true in a wider sense as well. We keep watching videos of random people who are exceptional in something -- preparing a dish, playing an instrument, doing a backflip, whatever. But these are the best of the whole internet, unfair to compare yourself to them. In early times you saw the best of your community or neighborhood. The larger the scope, the stronger the bias. People don't realize this.
The differences between the two are superficial. You look great in both
Kush's avatar
Kush 1 year ago
Had to laugh… a dumpster fire! Truth… it’s always mess out there