Picture Feedback Megathread

[pancakemouse]

Or do you (or anyone else) think that I should give up on that picture completely for now because it looks awful?

Yes. There are other ways to show that you are muscular without a full shirtless photo. Shirtless is for guys with abs only.

 

[MILFandCookies]

Or do you (or anyone else) think that I should give up on that picture completely for now because it looks awful?

Yes. There are other ways to show that you are muscular without a full shirtless photo. Shirtless is for guys with abs only.

I don't think it looks "awful" but shirtless photos are a net positive only when you've got abs. pancakemouse is right - wear a short sleeve form-fitting athletic shirt instead to show your muscularity (underarmor, fabletics, etc.)

 

[Holden]

As an aside, it's crazy how that Daniel Craig picture was considered a prime physique back in the day. Same with Ryan Gosling in Crazy Stupid Love (Emma Stone: "it's like you're photoshopped!") when nowadays that physique would be pretty unremarkable.

And yeah I know, Ryan Gosling being a sex symbol creates a major halo effect here. But girls fawned over this physique. Goes to show that things are objectively getting more difficult for guys.

 

[MisterE]

Yes. There are other ways to show that you are muscular without a full shirtless photo. Shirtless is for guys with abs only.

I don't think it looks "awful" but shirtless photos are a net positive only when you've got abs. @pancakemouse is right - wear a short sleeve form-fitting athletic shirt instead to show your muscularity (underarmor, fabletics, etc.)

Okay I get it. I will try to recreate the picture with a form-fitting shirt instead.

I don't think it looks "awful" but shirtless photos are a net positive only when you've got abs.

While the photo is currently not a net positive, do I hurt my chances by just using it for the short term until I got something else? So to phrase my question a bit better: is the picture currently a net neutral or a net negative?

 

[MILFandCookies]

While the photo is currently not a net positive, do I hurt my chances by just using it for the short term until I got something else? So to phrase my question a bit better: is the picture currently a net neutral or a net negative?

It hurts your chances. I wouldn’t use it.

You're pretty fit, but the standards for shirtless photos on dating apps are pretty high.

 

[MisterE]

While the photo is currently not a net positive, do I hurt my chances by just using it for the short term until I got something else? So to phrase my question a bit better: is the picture currently a net neutral or a net negative?

It hurts your chances. I wouldn’t use it.

You're pretty fit, but the standards for shirtless photos on dating apps are pretty high.

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I will shelve this photo and look if I can replicate something similar in the shortterm with a compression shirt.

 

[brohankwon]

Current Tinder batch (as suggested in a much earlier post) + 2 new similar photos that I'd like to add (or replace). What do you guys think?

Fun fact: I posted the new pictures on Facebook, and out of the 60+ likes, the only "laugh/haha" reaction came from my college "best friend." I'm debating what to do with this...

 

[pancakemouse]

Current Tinder batch (as suggested in a much earlier post) + 2 new similar photos that I'd like to add (or replace). What do you guys think?

Fun fact: I posted the new pictures on Facebook, and out of the 60+ likes, the only "laugh/haha" reaction came from my college "best friend." I'm debating what to do with this...

Not good. Sunglasses block your eyes and the gloves look creepy. The outfit looks out of place for the background.

You lack a close-up photo of your face and torso to use as a main photo. Stop worrying about 1% adjustments and find a main photo.

And for god's sake, you need sex appeal. ESPECIALLY as an Asian male.

You look way too nice, and you're going to have a hard time getting pussy that way.

 

[Squilliam]

You look way too nice, and you're going to have a hard time getting pussy that way.

Yep this is something I've learned brohankwon. If you look like a "nice guy" but you're fairly good looking, you will get dates, but they're mostly going to be comfort girls who won't fuck you on the first date. If you want to attract girls who will fuck you on the first date, you need to give off a fuckboy vibe.

 

[brohankwon]

Current Tinder batch (as suggested in a much earlier post) + 2 new similar photos that I'd like to add (or replace). What do you guys think?

Fun fact: I posted the new pictures on Facebook, and out of the 60+ likes, the only "laugh/haha" reaction came from my college "best friend." I'm debating what to do with this...

Not good. Sunglasses block your eyes and the gloves look creepy. The outfit looks out of place for the background.

You lack a close-up photo of your face and torso to use as a main photo. Stop worrying about 1% adjustments and find a main photo.

And for god's sake, you need sex appeal. ESPECIALLY as an Asian male.

You look way too nice, and you're going to have a hard time getting pussy that way.

Fuck meeeeeeeeeeeeee. Got it *insert thumbs up emoji here* Guess I should keep my current batch until I get a good main photo?

 

[kratjeuh]

MILFandCookies

I want to get into photography next year (like really in a year) and specifically focus on travel and social media photography. The DSLR adviced in the guide is cool but I don’t think it’s specific enough.
I won’t really need it to take dating pics because I’ll just get this done with s dating photographer so that’s not a requirement for the camera (although a nice bonus)

The mainstream advice I’m seeing online is to just use an iPhone as this is enough for most travelers but I’m different and really want to learn.

I’m also not looking for a camera to learn the craft a little. If I do something I do it correctly so I want the optimal equipment from the start and I’ll figure out myself how to perfectly use it.

To sum up my question in looking for

The best travel camera
All lenses that I’d need (I want to shoot pics of me at cool spots, me doing fast paced activities, scenic landscapes)
Which editing software should I buy and learn
Recommendations of good tripods because I rather shoot myself than trusting strangers (no pun intended)

I’m asking this hilariously much in advance but that’s because Christmas and NY are coming and there are incredible deals to find on the second hand market in this period because of people being unsatisfied with their gifts

 

[MILFandCookies]

@MILFandCookies

I have been summoned

The DSLR adviced in the guide is cool but I don’t think it’s specific enough.

First of all, it's a mirrorless, not a DSLR. Love ya Andy <3 and he's been doing photography longer than me, but he's using loose inaccurate language.

Also, the camera body (the part without the lens) is not designed to be specific. That's the lens's job.

I'd get the EOS R actually... it's a bit bulkier but the batteries last much longer.
An alternative is to get the EOS RP or the EOS R8 and buy + bring an extra battery or two with you at all times.

I won’t really need it to take dating pics because I’ll just get this done with s dating photographer so that’s not a requirement for the camera (although a nice bonus)

DM me I got you Running out of slots for the rest of the year.

The mainstream advice I’m seeing online is to just use an iPhone as this is enough for most travelers but I’m different and really want to learn.

Not a bad idea with the iPhone 15 Pro... you can add Portrait Mode after the fact now. If you want to learn though, get one of the above cameras.

To sum up my question in looking for

1) The best travel camera
2) All lenses that I’d need (I want to shoot pics of me at cool spots, me doing fast paced activities, scenic landscapes)
3) Which editing software should I buy and learn
4) Recommendations of good tripods because I rather shoot myself than trusting strangers (no pun intended)

1) EOS R, or RP/R8 with 1-2 extra batteries
2) Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 & Canon RF 85mm f/2 & Canon RF 35mm f/1.8, get them all at once, or in that order
3) Lightroom (not Lightroom Classic)
4) Peak Design Travel Tripod by faaaar. LOVE this one... Small, compact, light, but it's also extremely easy to use, feature packed, and reliable. You'll pay for it though... either aluminum or carbon fiber is good... Aluminum is $400 after tax, carbon fiber is about $650.

 

[mikkel]

I've sent a few photos to my friends gf's and their friends. None of them chose my smiling photos and one of them actually gave feedback: There has to be spark in the smile, otherwise no smiling haha.

Anyways, thats why I dont have any smiling pics at the moment. Girls love my hair and thats why I want to show it somehow, my last profile had laying bed pic aswell but this one is just better quality.

No shirt pic is over 4 years old, had it in my last profile and it was the most right swiped pic....lol. Not sure if I should use it anymore or not. My ex was going to swipe left cuz of that pic but then she saw my funny GIF and chose to swipe right.


Ummm and I actually started rock climping this summer but that guy in the pic is not me LOL, looks like me though. Use it or not?

Yeah, feedback is welcome. Imo I look arrogant in most pics but you decide that. 3/4 of the pics taken by canon eos R by me hehe, quality looks bad here.

 

[Adrizzle]

Man the profile looks so defs thought it was u in the rock climbing photo.

I do think you are missing a social photo

 

[Radical]

Jesus christ you look great, well done on the physique.

Not sure how you can be struggling online unless you live somewhere super remote and all the girls are 50 miles away mikkel

1. I'd lead with the nike headshot
2. Physique pic id like here but yeah you could reshoot this one, either candid (ala on a beach where it makes sense to be topless) or so OTT with the lighting and set up it looks like a model shot - current one is caught in between the two, its giving 'im posing in my bedroom' vibes which we don't want
3. I'd go dog here
4. Climbing or the river one
5. you can bookend with the street shot in the shirt

I wouldnt use the bed one and the bike one is overly posed for me

 

[mikkel]

Jesus christ you look great, well done on the physique.

Not sure how you can be struggling online unless you live somewhere super remote and all the girls are 50 miles away @mikkel

1. I'd lead with the nike headshot
2. Physique pic id like here but yeah you could reshoot this one, either candid (ala on a beach where it makes sense to be topless) or so OTT with the lighting and set up it looks like a model shot - current one is caught in between the two, its giving 'im posing in my bedroom' vibes which we don't want
3. I'd go dog here
4. Climbing or the river one
5. you can bookend with the street shot in the shirt

I wouldnt use the bed one and the bike one is overly posed for me

Haha thanks, appreciate it! Well I dont know yet if I struggle or not, found GF way too quickly last time from tinder so dont have any data. Lots of maches last time but only 2nd date from tinder and we clicked. Currently hinge sucks, 1-2 to none matches per week.

I live in Finland so its cold, dark and ugly at the moment, gotta wait for the beach for now.

Okay, skip the bed photo and motorcycle. I have other motorcycle pics aswell but have helmet on those.

What do you think about adding one funny photo/gif and selfie? I think I have too serious vibes at the moment. Last time I had GIF of myself swinging my hips at the kitchen when I was cooking with shitty clothes lol

Its easy to imitate influencers and take good looking chill mirror selfie with clothes on but not sure is it worth it.

 

[Skelly92]

I have been trying to improve my dating the last couple of weeks. Any feedback on these photos would be great thanks.

 

[MILFandCookies]

I have been trying to improve my dating the last couple of weeks. Any feedback on these photos would be great thanks.

It's a good start.

Did you check out Andy's Tinder Inspiration article, and my guest post for him? Both will help you develop an inner skill:
Tinder Photo Inspiration: https://killyourinnerloser.com/inspiration/
The "Paparazzi Factor": https://killyourinnerloser.com/paparazzi-factor/

I also roasted a bunch of peoples' Tinder photos, looking at those videos will help you develop a sense of what's good and bad (mods, if you don't want me linking to this, I'm happy to delete it, just let me know)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-qjFUFJ6UqvocoTOmTyoI2_8T4Q09nkZ

You have a lot of improvement to make, I have a lot of feedback, but me giving you a long list might discourage you more than help you. The good news is that there's many many more gains to be had once you start improving.

 

[G.N]

MILFandCookies I just got my DSLR, what settings (shutter, ISO, and aperature) are best for photographing people?

 

[MILFandCookies]

@MILFandCookies I just got my DSLR, what settings (shutter, ISO, and aperature) are best for photographing people?

The key is to have the person's face exposed well, and as much of the surroundings as possible.

Watch one of these videos to understand the exposure triangle: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=exposure+triangle

And once you understand that, here's the answer to your question:
1) Shutter speed 1/200 or quicker if the subject is moving, 1/160 if they're sitting

Why? If the shutter speed is slower than this, the subject can have motion blur

2) ISO as low as possible while still getting enough light. Try not to go over 1600 if possible

Why? High ISO means the sensor is more sensitive to light (the camera literally charges the sensor with electricity to do this) but if it's high, you'll get noise (a static-looking pattern) - EXACTLY the same thing that happens when you open your eyes in the dark at night. The specific number will change depending on the camera, but for the ones Andy recommends, 1600 is the cutoff between a little noise and a lot of noise. Denoising programs like Topaz Labs and Lightroom's new AI Denoising feature can compensate if you have to go over 1600

3) Aperture at f/2 or higher ("faster" in photog speak, I can explain why they use this terminology but it's unneccesary). This is confusing, because the f number is actually the bottom of a fraction... so f/1.2 is MORE than f/2, because it's really f:1/1.2 vs f:1/2, and 1/1.2 is MORE than 1/2.

Why? Because a wider open aperture means more background separation (blurry background, sharp in focus subject.) I don't want to go into the optical science of why this is because it's complicated and unnecessary... The important thing is that blurry backgrounds look better, and there's hard data (OKCupid did a study) showing that the blurrier the background, the more matches you get.

Caution though, if you have an aperture at f/1.4 or f/1.2, you might run into the problem where the depth of field is too narrow... what I mean is the part of the image that's in focus is too small - for example, the eyes might be in focus, but the nose and ears are blurry. Or if they're looking at an angle, one eye might be in focus but the other eye is blurry... So at first I'd stick to f/1.8 or f/2 while you get used to photography. Good news is that to get > f/1.8 you have to spend a lot extra on lenses, so it probably won't be an option anyway.

I got super nerdy and in the weeds there, feel free to ask me to clarify anything