photogenicity

The concept of being photogenic has fascinated me for awhile. What is it about perception that causes this distortion in space-time reality? What enables some people to be captured more accurately to their physical, literal appearance? Being a person that considers myself unphotogenic at times, I acknowledge the understanding that there is layering of self-perception manifested in how a person sees himself when captured and how he perceives himself when without material proof. These awkward angles and unsavory expressions I see in pictures featuring me are indiscernible to a person that doesn't see my facade through my eyes everyday. Ancient tribes believed every photo taken of you takes away a piece of your soul. Maybe this incongruence between perceptions and the material come from the inanimate technological devices that feebly attempt to capture what is Real and romantically momentary.

What was our posture like before mirrors? Something I've pondered. Regardless, the mirror -the mobilization of self-involvement- was necessary to our journey. In this coming-of-age moment of self-commodification, we have learned to pose. Now, we just need to learn how to be beautiful.