Honestly assesing your own fits/style

[learner]

Is the mirror always sufficient?

Does the camera give a more accurate impression?

Sometimes there are pieces I think look great when I look in the mirror, but look terrible in photos!

Is this as a result self delusion in front of the mirror or just a crappy camera (it is crap) or poor light or technique?

Appreciate your replies.

 

[constant struggle]

i always feel my fits look better in person, with a camera the angle is very key and the lighting

 

[PinkPantser]

Using a camera does expose some things you might not notice otherwise about a fit. That said, if you didn't notice it's likely no one else will either.

 

[Lel]

It's complicated.

Sometimes mirrors distort things... along with terrible artificial lighting. A significant proportion of my own WAYWT are for me to address issues of fit, color, and proportion when it comes to my own outfits.

 

[XenoX101]

Also, lenses aren't flat, so there is always a bulge like distortion in photos. Portrait lenses have less of this, as they're flatter. Still, photos can only do so much to convey an outfit and with the limitations of the cameras we use, the colour changes between monitors and the inability to see the motion/action when an item is worn (like the heaviness of a knit or the stiffness of a leather).

Another note, incandescent light bulbs destroy the colours of your clothes, white balance can only do so much. White fluorescent light bulbs also, alter the colours, as they have a low CRI. Full spectrum light bulbs are used in professional photography, as they allow more colours to be seen, true to life. Daylight, obviously, renders all colours, with a tint based on the weather, but with white balance and a raw photo file format (compression of photo also removes colours, making the photo either SRGB or AdobeRGB) you can get true colour euphoria this way.

 

[tagutcow]

Originally Posted by XenoX101

Also, lenses aren't flat, so there is always a bulge like distortion in photos. Portrait lenses have less of this, as they're flatter. Still, photos can only do so much to convey an outfit and with the limitations of the cameras we use, the colour changes between monitors and the inability to see the motion/action when an item is worn (like the heaviness of a knit or the stiffness of a leather).

Another note, incandescent light bulbs destroy the colours of your clothes, white balance can only do so much. White fluorescent light bulbs also, alter the colours, as they have a low CRI. Full spectrum light bulbs are used in professional photography, as they allow more colours to be seen, true to life. Daylight, obviously, renders all colours, with a tint based on the weather, but with white balance and a raw photo file format (compression of photo also removes colours, making the photo either SRGB or AdobeRGB you can get true colour euphoria this way.

You get alot of **** on here, Xenox, but I have to admit this was an uncommonly informative post.

 

[kookydooky]

Alright we get the point, you know your ******* cameras

 

[Coldsnap]

those 3 way mirrors in the fitting rooms are nightmares, they make me look horrible

 

[ivan k]

I can't find it right now, but there's a great article I found through Google a couple of weeks ago on proper mirror lighting. The break down was that overhead and florescent lighting is bad while natural lighting was the best. I use several of those GE Reveal light bulbs in placed between me and the mirror around shoulder level.

^ Most of those 3 way mirrors in fitting rooms use overhead light which causes your face and body to cast shadows on itself.

If you want to find the article try searching "mirror" "lighting" "angle", or something along those lines.

 

[rach2jlc]

I've said this on the WAYWT, but as a "noob" to posting fits, I'm just realizing how damn HARD it is to get it to look right. Lighting, "pose," camera angle, etc etc etc. It's not just about "wearing a good outfit," which I never realized before.

Having a good camera/tripod/equipment that can "fix" some of these problems seems helpful, too. My 10 yo cheap-o Sony Digicam isn't much help on that. AND, seeing as how I don't ever take pics usually, I don't see myself buying a $1000+ worth of equipment just to show my clothes on teh interwebz.

 

[JKISSI]

Aside from cameras I have a mirror outside I like to use because when your in the house things do appear to be different when you hit the outside.

 

[AntiHero84]

To all the guys who take pics outdoors... Do you ever get weird looks from strangers?

I couldn't imagine setting up a tripod around town, or even in my yard, to take pictures of myself. While I'm sure some of you guys have friends/significant others who help out with the pics, this can't be the case for everyone.

 

[Lel]

I use a simple click and shoot with a timer. No tripod, just find elevated surfaces. And yes, it is awkward... it's kind of a public spot but usually most people don't see the camera. Sometimes I pretend to be texting on my phone. Sometimes I just say something like "I'm practicing my photography but I'm too shy to go up to people and take their pictures so I use myself". Sometimes I just don't care.

Take a walk, look around for nice empty areas where you won't be bothered.

 

[BrettChaotix]

1 word comes to mind as the answer to your questions... Saucemaster

Look up any of his WAYWT photos for inspiration, they are all flawless.