How to Fake Fitness Before and After Photos
We’ve all seen those transformational photographs of humans going from a puffer fish- like belly to an enviously outlined press . You may be thinking, “I wish I could get to this picture” After “too.” Oh, but you can. In fact, without even coming close to this magnificent form. It’s not fair, but marketers do it, and damn it, you’ll look amazing .
For the sake of clarity, we’ll be referring to before and after pictures related to physique, which are usually associated with a supplement, exercise program, fitness equipment, or service that people want to sell you. “You can achieve results like Sally !” the ad exclaims, hoping you won’t notice the fine print that says “ atypical results ”. Unfortunately, the truth is that these photos do work. They are social proof that you can try their special workout programs, think their expensive food and supplements are better, and tend to open up your wallet.
The closeness of pictures and their chronological arrangement from left to right can have a significant but subtle impact on creating a story that you can tap into. The trap occurs when you start imagining yourself as the last photo and set your own (unrealistic) expectations. I used to work for a company where photo shoots like this were the norm (and more ethical), and that’s where I learned all the key ingredients for a good before and after photo.
Take a photo “after” first
While there are several approaches to healing before and after photography, I suggest doing yours in reverse: We’re going to start by taking after taking the photo first. The point is that your average fitness model cannot be a living embodiment of “physical perfection” for more than a day or two, because it often takes unstable, eyebrow-inducing things to achieve this peak physical condition. Yes, for most of the year their physique is still above average, but not quite “ready for a photo shoot.” So it’s easier to start with photo after photo and just let things go downhill – you know when it’s perfect for your pre-shot.
Important notes to watch out for are your clothing choices (or lack thereof if you ride like this), ambient light, your posture, the amount of water and sodium your body can hold, your skin color (the more tanned the better ), and all of your “shine” affects how dramatic your “transformation” can look. Don’t worry, this will make sense soon.
Make sure you don’t eat anything (especially salty) or drink water during the last half of the day. Too much sodium and water will cause bloating, which will show up in your photo until PhotoShop makes it disappear.
Step one: choose your clothes wisely
Usually black spandex or some sort of bikini is a safe choice for your post-shoot, but make sure this garment suits you – maybe even a little looser.
The next part is weird but necessary, trust me. Apply a tanning spray, but not so dark that it looks like you’ve fallen into a vat of chocolate. Just a shade or two darker than your natural skin color so you can see the clarity of your muscles. For a little extra help, apply some grease. That is, in the form of oil. Baby oil, coconut oil, oil spray, or even Crisco will help give you a “radiant” look and enhance all your lines.
Step two: start the “pump”
Obviously, you want to convince your potential fans that you are clearly into sports. A tan and your oiled body can only do much, so do your best by bending a heavy object like a dumbbell preferably. Heck, do as many push-ups as you can if you don’t have dumbbells on hand. The idea here is toget a “pump,” which in gymnastic jargon means pumping blood to your working muscles, which then makes them seem bigger than they really are. That way, when you take the shot, your muscles really grow and earn the oh and oh that you so deserve.
The “pump” doesn’t last long, so remember to curl these heavy objects from time to time to maintain the illusion.
Step three: strike a pose with the right lighting
You can almost take a picture, but not quite. You just need to choose the right pose and lighting. The video above brilliantly demonstrates the importance of lighting and your pose in photography. Proper lighting makes a huge difference to your appearance – more than you think.
Your main goal here is to cast a shadow over your body to accentuate the muscles. Think about dark and gloomy lighting. You can add a more dramatic accent with a reflector, such as a white sheet or non-reflective white cardboard, that you or a helping hand can move to bounce light off of you in the right places. Once you see muscles that you never knew existed, that’s great.
Do not look into the camera face to face with your arms hanging limply at your sides. This is an amateur mistake, and it is much better to turn a little to the side, away from the light source, and keep your shoulders in front of the camera and your hands on your hips. Maybe even hold something and pretend you’re training with it. When you take the picture, strain your abs and muscles as much as possible. Oh yes, smile. Remember to show everyone how happy you are.
Reverse engineering photo after photo for a less flattering photo before photo
Great, now that you have photo after photo, the fun begins. The goal is to make your pre-photographic photography as unflattering as possible by simply redesigning it.
Step one: eat
Yes, now you can eat. In fact, eat the most salty and fatty foods you can get your hands on – french fries, frozen pizza, chips, or whole lasagne. Do not worry. It is not uncommon for fitness models to go outside after a period of deprivation. You will most likely immediately feel bloating, mild discomfort, and a clear congestion of food. Also, drinking plenty of water to look flat is a good way of saying that you no longer have muscle. Hey, you’re on the right track.
Step two: wear the same clothes
You can create the illusion of incredible change if you wear the same clothes as in the picture after, only one size smaller. If you are still in oil, wash off the dirt.
Step three: use limp poses in bright light
Use white or bright light in front of the photo because it makes you appear dull and flat. Make sure the light is on you and you look very unhappy, like your waiter just brought you the wrong order and had to take it to the kitchen. This means no strength poses or even a smile. Are you unhappy, remember?
Step four: edit what you don’t like
The photo fix is the final but optional icing on the cake. A simple photo editor like LightRoom or Photoshop can do wonders for your last image, but don’t go overboard with editing, especially making changes to your body. You still want it to be convincing. Going from broom feet to elephant trunks is an easy way to bring that whole façade down.
That’s all. Now you have before and after photos that you can share with the world of social networks! Apply a filter if you like. Because Instagram.
It did take some work, of course, but not quite the amount of work or realism that you originally thought of. Fortunately, other people won’t know, and that’s the point . Not all before and after photos are fake. Some of them may be real, but there are so many ways to manipulate or exaggerate them that you cannot believe them all. But seriously, the before and after photos are not all bad. Used correctly, they can be a great tool for tracking weight loss and fitness progress.