We can only ever see a reflection of our face, whether in a mirror or a photo. This reflection is a reversed image, meaning the left and right sides are flipped. So, while we see our face as we think it looks, others see the opposite.
Here's why:
- Mirrors reverse our image: Mirrors create a symmetrical reflection, making our left side appear on the right and vice versa. This is because light bounces off the mirror, creating a reversed image.
- Photos capture a true representation: Photos, on the other hand, capture our face as it appears to others, with no reversal.
- Our brain compensates: Over time, our brain gets used to the reversed image we see in the mirror and adjusts our perception accordingly. This is why we might feel surprised or even uncomfortable when seeing photos of ourselves for the first time.
Therefore, we can never truly know what our face looks like to others, but photos provide the closest approximation.
