Gransnet forums

Chat

Can't kid myself any longer!

(76 Posts)
sunseeker Sat 16-Jun-18 10:46:49

I have always thought that I didn't look too bad for my age - pushing 70. However I now have to renew my passport and the photos prove that I am completely wrong! I don't recall seeing all those lines and wrinkles when I look in the mirror!

I am now thinking I should not venture out as I may frighten small children!

Oldwoman70 Sun 17-Jun-18 10:26:48

I have a theory that just as the camera is said to add 5lbs it also adds 15 years!

chezza1 Sun 17-Jun-18 10:18:08

Photographer told me once that the mirror can often lie, the camera never does. Charming!

annodomini Sun 17-Jun-18 10:17:46

My previous passport photo was surprisingly good. The new one is perfectly awful. It was done in Tesco where I'd previously just gone into a booth and done it myself. This time, it had to be done by a member of staff and I didn't have time to 'arrange my face' into anything better than a grimace. I destroyed the duplicates! I still have the old one on my bus pass - I hope they let me keep it till I'm 100!

Noreen3 Sun 17-Jun-18 10:04:30

I had to renew my passport .I had always hated my passport photo from 10 years ago,it was taken in a photo booth,I almost look frightened.This time,I stood against a door at home,got my 8 year old granddaughter to take my photo,uploaded it and did my passport online,so easy.I actually like my photo this time,I just look so much more relaxed and don't look 10 years older ,though I do in real life.

anitamp1 Sun 17-Jun-18 10:01:42

Apologies for double post. The first one disappeared only to reappear five mins later.

anitamp1 Sun 17-Jun-18 09:58:44

My passport photo is awful. It ages me by years and I look downright grumpy. It was the best of several attempts at the time. It's due for renewal and I'm dreading the new one. Never seen a good passport photo. But what's even worse are selfies. Have any of you ladies taken one? Tried a couple of times and left myself practically traumatised by the results! Truly horrendous. Not for us older ladies.

anitamp1 Sun 17-Jun-18 09:51:15

My passport photo taken almost 10 years ago, which is coming up for renewal, is absolutely hideous and ages me by years, plus i look really grumpy. Dreading the new one. But don't think I've ever seen a good passport photo. But what's even worse are selfies. Have any of you ladies tried taking a selfie? I've tried a couple of times and I've been virtually traumatised by the results! They don't do any favours to us older ladies.

Gma29 Sun 17-Jun-18 09:50:40

I hate mine too (definitely ‘victim’!). I had a nightmare getting the photo, as you are now required to remove glasses. I was told you have to get your face ‘between the red lines’ on the screen, which is all very well but I can’t see them, or the screen for that matter, once I’ve taken my glasses off! It took me two lots of £5 - and I only managed it then because the woman in the post office took pity on me and came to help. Thank goodness it’s only every 10 years!

grandMattie Sun 17-Jun-18 09:49:26

Murderer, murderer... confused

Nanny41 Sun 17-Jun-18 09:47:54

Had passport photos taken in a camera shop recently, good photo but the subject, oh boy, without my glasses I look a sight it does definately not look like me.They gave me two enlarged photos included in the price, I havent dared to show anyone!
New passport looks like a different me, but I got through Passport control a few weeks ago.

grandMattie Sun 17-Jun-18 09:45:26

My DM had a theory about passport photos. Either one is the murdered or one is the victim. I am emphatiacally the murderer! which is why I rarely look at myself in the mirror if I can possibly avoid it - and I take the photos rather than be the subject. That way, I don't have to look at the bad-tempered, surly, mean old besom looking back at me.

Maybelle Sun 17-Jun-18 09:36:46

Just about to renew my passport, am now so not looking forward to arranging the new photo !

Persistentdonor Sun 17-Jun-18 09:29:10

I just had another look at mine and it is VERY scary!!

Commiserations to all who hate their official photos, but thanks for making me smile. flowers

Arry Sun 17-Jun-18 09:18:44

I've just renewed my passport, hate the photo it makes me look as if I have escaped from somewhere that should have had maximum security.

squirrel5 Sun 17-Jun-18 09:15:25

I agree with everyone,passport photos can look hideous,I had a dreadful cold at the time when I needed to renew mine,and looked washed out ,staring,hair a mess,,it's a wonder that other countries let me in,oh well my DH says only passport control see it,and it's shut in a drawer most of the time,unless I want to display it at Halloween,along with the broomstick...he looks ok in his photo !

lollee Sun 17-Jun-18 09:14:54

Nannykay.........made me laugh out loudsmile.
Samie...........when my granddaughter, now 24, was sat on my lap when tiny she touch a rather largish mole on my cheek and asked what it was. I told her it was a granny spot, 2 more grandchildren later I have 2 more of the damn things!

Silverlining47 Sun 17-Jun-18 09:03:31

Don't worry! The printed photo in the new passports is such a poor quality it looks like a very, very bad photocopy so all photos look terrible anyway.

manma2 Sun 17-Jun-18 09:02:03

Many years ago someone said to me " the camera isn't kind to you" so I avoided it at all costs then some one else said " your family will want to see pictures of you when you have gone" .....lesson learned even tho I am uncomfortable in front of the camera

sarahellenwhitney Sun 17-Jun-18 09:01:31

Whenever I observe the' old lady' on my passport and driving licence I convince myself I must have been having a 'bad day' Then I look in the mirror and reality kicks in.

Prettypolly82 Sun 17-Jun-18 08:59:43

Am in 83rd year and no-one ever believes me!! Took my friend who is 86 years old to hospital and I was asked if I was her daughter but I still hate my p/port and driving licence photos!*

Apricity Sun 17-Jun-18 08:54:43

A long time ago when I was in my mid 40s a not so gracious passport officer at LA airport looked at my passport, looked me up and down and drily observed that the photo must have been taken a long time ago. It wasn't and I skulked out of the airport after a 14 hour flight from Oz. Welcome to the USA.

frankie74 Sun 17-Jun-18 08:51:41

I used to tell people my age and they had the decency to look in disbelief. I'm not sure when it first happened but nowadays, if I say that I'm 70 in a few months, no-one bats an eyelid. I'm waiting for someone to say "Is that all you are? You look older"

Samie Sun 17-Jun-18 08:48:52

My little 5 year old grandson is always mentioning my wrinkles when we have a cuddle - poor chap has to have glassses this week and has decided that he will now be able to see more wrinkles. Hope he never gets a microscope.

ajanela Sun 17-Jun-18 08:41:17

Just had a cataract done. Not only me but alll my friends look older than I thought.

Jaycee5 Sun 17-Jun-18 08:40:59

I'm 66 and there is a 90 year old woman on my bus pass. I took about 5 lots of pictures to try to get one that made me look like me. I'm not going to believe that it does even if the bus driver does seem to recognise me from it.
When I was young, I looked young for my age. I'm not sure when the change happened.