The Power of Pictures

[deags]

I am sure that this topic has been talked about several times, but I thought it was worth bringing up again.

Most people like to use the mirror as their guiding tool to whether they are making improvements in their physiques. I used to do the same - but when I made my transformation last year, my best tool was getting pictures taken, and I had many taken outside in the sunlight which is even less forgiving if you are fat.

I took pictures right when I started and then every 4-8 weeks thereafter until it was time for my show. Now, I am not competing for two years, but I still have pictures taken to monitor my progress. I just believe that pictures are the most effective tool in seeing TRUE progress. Pictures do not lie.

What do you all like to use to monitor progress?

[Hikemike]

I just took some pictures, but inside. Still a foot of snow on the ground and I haven't seen the sun in a month!!!

[lukamar]

I like pictures as well, it's a lot easier to see what is happening and i also find I look at myself more objectively. When I look in the mirror i only see a fat guy no mater where i am at with bf%.

[johnrich69]

Originally Posted by lukamar

I like pictures as well, it's a lot easier to see what is happening and i also find I look at myself more objectively. When I look in the mirror i only see a fat guy no mater where i am at with bf%.

I tend to agree with this. Pictures don't lie where as the mirror can be an illution based upon your perception of yourself. I used to weigh 145lbs and even though I'd gotten up to 210lbs I still saw a boney kid. (Talk about your misconceptions) LOL....I do like the photo idea tho-

[asmolenski]

I take pics too. I think the best way of measuring progress is to take a truly relaxed front and rear full body shot in posing trunks with a flash so that you arent using shadows and posture etc to show off something you dont really have. I had a hydrostatic body fat test done a few weeks ago to help me plan my cutting diet and I am getting a dexascan done next week to see how my progress is going so i can fine tune my diet and cardio.

[636 HunteR]

As an amateur photographer ( I wish ) and an avid photoshopper it all has to do with light. You can produce the same effects from a camera as you see in a mirror but the way cameras are normally set up.

Snap shot cameras have straight shot flash that cancels out shadows which hinders the eyes ability to measure volume which makes you look smaller. Im saying its coincidence I guess but its illusion any way you put it.

[CardiMuscles]

Originally Posted by deags

I am sure that this topic has been talked about several times, but I thought it was worth bringing up again.

Most people like to use the mirror as their guiding tool to whether they are making improvements in their physiques. I used to do the same - but when I made my transformation last year, my best tool was getting pictures taken, and I had many taken outside in the sunlight which is even less forgiving if you are fat.

I took pictures right when I started and then every 4-8 weeks thereafter until it was time for my show. Now, I am not competing for two years, but I still have pictures taken to monitor my progress. I just believe that pictures are the most effective tool in seeing TRUE progress. Pictures do not lie.

What do you all like to use to monitor progress?

I agree with that entirely, plus photos allow you not to fall into what I called the familiarity trap.

[Reality_Check]

Originally Posted by deags

What do you all like to use to monitor progress?

Take pictures

[unimoose]

I'm still just starting out on this, roughly 10 weeks into it, so I do more than just pictures. I weigh and tape myself each week and do pictures every 4. I'm sure after a while I'll rely more on the pictures to monitor my progress but for now the more positive feedback the better.

[bodyhard]

Pictures, full body front, side and back. Then but them side by side..

[taf1968]

Definitely need pictures . . . a before pic (regardless of how much it pains you) is an awesome motivator. Especially once you start taking monthly progress pics to compare against it. It's so awesome to see that you are heading in the right direction.

I also take frequent tape measurements. Weight doesn't tell a very clear story all the time and bodyfat can be hard to measure consistently for a newbie. Between the pics and the tape measure . . . I have huge motivaton and get a lot of satisfaction from my efforts.

[someday]

Originally Posted by 636 HunteR

As an amateur photographer ( I wish ) and an avid photoshopper it all has to do with light. You can produce the same effects from a camera as you see in a mirror but the way cameras are normally set up.

Snap shot cameras have straight shot flash that cancels out shadows which hinders the eyes ability to measure volume which makes you look smaller. Im saying its coincidence I guess but its illusion any way you put it.

agreed to some extent, but if you're taking progress pics for yourself they should be taken in ths same spot with the same light at the same time of day or they will be to hard to compare. the point of taking them imo is to see improvement or lack there of.....why would i want to try and cheat? our trainer that we send our progress pics always wants the worst possible pics of us. he wants to see every little imperection and when we see it in our pics it makes us work even harder!

[Capt. America]

I monitor my progress by logging all my workouts and weights used for each specific exercise. As long as the weights and/or reps increase..I'm good to go.

[fubar993]

I like pictures for tracking my progress.
They don't lie and they don't hide fat. I can really see how far I have to go when I take a picture of myself, it's a great tool for me personally. I tend to rest on my laurels since I have lost over 60lbs and the pictures slap me back into reality.

[CrazyEnough]

Yep, same here...Theyre a great tool for tracking progress and sometimes, for a bit of a reality check!

[Taichichuan]

I have never given any thought about taking pictures of myself or getting someone to take the photos for me. I've been using a full length mirror and a worn out tape measure to track any progress. Well, I guess I'll dust off the old Polaroid!! LOL

[JOHN GARGANI]

pictures in my case, are useless and here is why:

1. I am hairy and don't normally shave my body hair: I have only done that two times in my life, when necessary for the stage, and otherwise, have no need nor desire.

2. I do not use tanning booths, so, in the winter, I am pale and remain so: when fishing season starts, I get a "Farmer's tan" and since I am not a beach person, that is usually the extent of it.

When you shave, and then use a tanning solution, your body takes on a completely different look of which, by bodybuilding perspectives, is then easier to evaluate.

The difference before and after doing those things is STARTLING!

so for me, normal pictures are only good for showing relative size and balance.

[deags]

Originally Posted by JOHN GARGANI

pictures in my case, are useless and here is why:

1. I am hairy and don't normally shave my body hair: I have only done that two times in my life, when necessary for the stage, and otherwise, have no need nor desire.

2. I do not use tanning booths, so, in the winter, I am pale and remain so: when fishing season starts, I get a "Farmer's tan" and since I am not a beach person, that is usually the extent of it.

When you shave, and then use a tanning solution, your body takes on a completely different look of which, by bodybuilding perspectives, is then easier to evaluate.

The difference before and after doing those things is STARTLING!

so for me, normal pictures are only good for showing relative size and balance.

I agree with you to some extent, as far as, if you are not into bb, it might not be the best way to go. However, even before I decided to compete, I was excited to see the changes going on and although I could notice changes in the mirror, I REALLY noticed them in pictures, and I used that for motivation.

For instance, I just had a few pictures taken a few weeks ago, because I wanted to see what differences I had made in the past ten months and I was startled.

Here are a few pictures of my 10 month comparison to give you an idea of what drives me - the pics of me in the red trunks are most recent and the ones with black shorts are from 10 months ago. I am 3 pounds HEAVIER in the red trunks, at which time, I apologize for wearing, but it helps me see my changes better to wear trunks.

The proof is in the pics!

[jacked in MI]

Originally Posted by Hikemike

I just took some pictures, but inside. Still a foot of snow on the ground and I haven't seen the sun in a month!!!

So true

No outside pics for a couple of months yet.

-Jeff