Skip to main content

Optimistic Photography

The practice of using camera angles and strategic cropping to alter the subject of the photograph's perceived attractiveness. When used in conjunction with photo-manipulation, it can be a potent and effective means of convincing others that this individual is not fat and/or ugly.

Optimistic Photography is seen primarily in social media, most prevalently on dating sites. A person exploiting optimistic photography will use it to extract features which are unattractive, and shift attention to those which are more attractive.

When the compounding effect of alcohol is added, the mind of the drinker can confuse the earlier (first) impression of the subject with the cold, hard, unfortunate truths of reality and fact. The optimism lurks quietly in the mind of the victim.

For educational purposes only:

1) A downward camera angle can hide the volume (and thus, mass) of a person.
2) Taking a picture of oneself (close range) will also hide the shear size and volume of the subject.
3) Elongating the jaw or using unnatural facial expressions during a photograph can give the illusion of a thinner (and leaner) face. This can, in turn, alter the perception of a person's baseline attractiveness
4) A blurry picture, bright flash, or blown out contrast can also hide blemishes or wrinkles which may appear in reality.

Note: Publishing old pictures, while misleading, does not fall under this definition, but would still be considered trickery, of which optimistic photography is a form.
Oh my god, Holly looks about 100 lbs. (45 kg.) heavier than on her Myspace. Her optimistic photography almost sent me cow tipping!

I want to shake the hand of the optimistic photographer who ironed out her beat-ass face!

My blind date must have actually thought I was blind. She looks NOTHING like her optimistic profile picture!
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
More from Urban Dictionary

Frothability 

The measure of an emotional and over zealous consumer in an upwardly charging market, also known as a bull market. It's characterized by rising asset prices, increased investor confidence, and favorable growth in the markets, bro.
The frothability was evident as over-zealous consumers eagerly engaged in bidding wars, driving property prices to unsustainable levels reminiscent of previous speculative bubbles.
Frothability by cptn.kagaroo1 January 26, 2024
Word of the Day on November 12, 2026

Soul digger

A man who dates women with the sole purpose of exploiting their time, energy, and labor while he sucks the joy and happiness from their lives.
"That guy's a soul digger. He'll expect you to work full time, but you'll be doing all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, and childcare while he plays video games or watches TV."
Soul digger by anonymous November 11, 2026
Word of the Day on November 11, 2026

pod person 

A person pretending to be something they aren't, or an impostor. This is inferred because of the old alien movies where alien pods appear on earth and the "pod people" dispose of the humans and slowly reproduce the bodies, pretending to be humans.
The pod person was pretending to be my father, but I knew that he was an alien when he acted differently than my father ever would have.
pod person by Christopher M. May 9, 2005
Word of the Day on November 10, 2026
A dead drop is a location used to secretly pass items between two people, without requiring them to meet.

Spies have been known to use dead drops, using various techniques to hide the items and to signal that the drop has been made. Drug dealers use this as well.

A common place is to duct tape the item to the underside of a toilet cover in a public restroom.

A signal is sometimes used as well to indicate there is something to pickup, like a pile of stones in a certain formation. After checking the drop the signal is removed.
"The dead drop is the restroom toilet at the Gulf station at the corner of Commercial Ave. and Georges Rd."
dead drop by rubberroom July 23, 2008
Word of the Day on November 9, 2026

No Surprises Wedding

A "No Surprises Wedding," or NSW, is a wedding invitation designation that tells attendees that there can be no unplanned announcements, engagements, events or speeches at the wedding - all actions must be pre-approved by the couple. Anyone who performs an unapproved "surprise" will be asked to leave the wedding early.

This designation comes from Reddit, where so many stories of bad wedding behavior indicated a need to communicate expectations for the wedding behavior of attendees.
You are cordially invited to the nuptials of Brian and Tom on October 31 at noon.

Please note that this wedding is child-free (under 10) and a No Surprises Wedding (NSW). Reach out to wedding planner Sami Smith to request approvals or exceptions; please note that exceptions will be rare. Limited child care for under-10s will be available. All approvals will be noted and included in planning. Unapproved, or surprise exceptions, will result in guests being asked to leave.
Word of the Day on November 8, 2026
Ulzzang true definition is "best & "face" = best face in korean. They are basically people with above average looks, sometimes with the use of photoshop and haduri who post their pics online, some becoming internet celebrities.
"Hey, see that chick over there? She's pretty enough to be an ulzzang. :D"
ulzzang by `r i k kit t y February 26, 2008
Word of the Day on November 7, 2026
Load more