Should Real Pictures Be Used as Avatars?

I too choose to use my own picture on here, otherwise i would not feel i was being real. With me, what you see is what you get. To use an avator not actually of me would feel dishonest, so id rather go naked blessed be

using your own picture? well isn't that the whole point of having an avatar? isn't that why they allow us to post pictures on OUR profile so that people could get a glimpse on how we look like and what we are like. isn't an avatar supposed to be the reflection of you? you might ask why i don't have an avatar. well it's just that i'm to lazy to fix my profile LOL but i use my image in every acount i have. anyway i salute the people who are strong enough to love and appreciate who and what they are. if you're confident about who you are you wouldn't have any problem using your unedited, untreated image. right? i think they are just afraid to be judged or what others will think of their appearance. you see, a lot of people are still that subtle and thinks that looks is everything. they are playing safe by putting an image of the sun or whatever. but there is an exception, people who think deep. there are those who dig deep in their soul and find who they really are and be able to put themselves in to objects. they are able to use these objects as a symbol of who they are. sometimes abstract could be the clearest representation of what we want to express.

I use only my photo, and wish other's did too. It makes it a little more personal, then not knowing what someone looks like.

i totaly agree with u ,why not i do 2 ....i use a pic with me end my husb...

This is my real picture. Yes, this red haired crazy looking girl is me. lol... I think a lot of people don't like to display their real seves because they either don't ahve a computer with pictures on it. Also, the internet really isn't a safe place. I was surfing and found someone else using my pictures on a singles site!! They were passing my picture off as them! That was very frightening! I also am very iffy about putting pictures of my child online. People who know me often comment, you ahve no pictures of Gabe on your Myspace etc.... I know. This is because I don't want any BAD people to see my child or copy his picture for bad purposes. Also, sometimes the cartoon pictures you can find are funny and I like to use them to change things up a bit so you don't always have to stare at my silly looking mug lol!

I used my real picture because today I felt that it was who I really am. Sometimes I use images that represent the nature of the site I am on but msotly Im happy to be seen as me

It's difficult for me to identify with someone who uses a symbol or image of something other than themselves and so I chose to use my own photo. I suppose that many wish to remain anonymous and that is perfectly alright but I don't have a problem with anyone knowing who I am.

Though, I myself used the real picture initially but later on replaced it with another one. (MY real photo was somewhat sketchy and was in the long shot, therefore, I removed that). I also like to see real pictures, however I think in the sites such as mylot, contents of discussions and responses given carry more importance than pictures. I think they are secondary (photos). If thoughts and views of person/member are appealing and you feel that he/she has devoted considerably time posting them then that will be more useful than only watching his/her photo. I also do not like members using fake pictures of actresses or actors. They unnecessarily arise doubt about their real identity.

I think the same way as you do... I just feel like putting up my recent pic on my avatar as I want my friends or the people who responded to my discussions and the starter of the discussions I have responded or commented to see how the person behind those words really look like. It gives me an impression though that somehow using my own pic here gives some sort of personal bond..but am not condemning those who chose any other pics of their avatars though.. it's their choice after all... whatever makes one comfortable using as avatars is just fine for me though they might or might not have a special reason for choosing such.

My avatar I think is relevant for this website, as it says Dont believe everything you think. =) I dont use my picture, because I kind of like the anonimity of the website, pardon if that spelling was incorrect. I dont usually use my picture, just because the web is full of strangers and giving too much info isnt really safe. Plus, you never know what people are thinking, or who might not like something you said ,and possibly recognize you. Too me my picture is too personal. But that is just my opinion.

I had mine up for a while when I first got here. Now I'm into changing it up with my moods, current interests, causes, etc. I think its time to change it up again but am feelin an abnormal attachment to the one I have right now. It was inspired by network neutrality. I am guessing by this discussion that you might be on youtube if you have a webcam. If so let me know and I'll check it. I'm not on it, but below is a creative video I am fond of on net neutrality. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEHoQ_n3SsI

I think you have every right to use whatever picture you want as your avator. I decided to use The Phantom as mine because I really love the movie and the actor, so I think it represtsents a small part of me.

I used my real photo, and hadn't even really considered using a symbol or abstract picture. If I had, I probably wouldn't have been able to find a good one, because I do want something that is representative of me. So, what better to represent me than me? Also, how many friends (real life friends) do you have who don't know what you look like? I'd like my mylot friends to be able to put a face with a name or my posts.

there may be reasons why other "mylotters" use a different picture as an avatar. one reason could be that, that picture best represents them. but for me, the reason why i use my real picture here is because i want everyone to know who i am and what i look like. since this is a community where we constantly interact with other people from different parts of the globe, i think it's only appropriate to at least show our faces. ofcourse we don't wear masks when we face our neighbors within our REAL community. same thing here.

I'll put it this way, if I don't choose to use my own face, which most of the time I do, I use a pic that represents one of my sites. Either way, it's branding. Pretty much for the same reasons you mentioned.

Like you.Ive always been using my own picture as avatar. I want to represent myself as me. I always think that it is nice to see the real picture of the person you are talking to on the internet. Have confidence on showing other people how you looked like whether he/she is ugly or not. Its not vanity you know. Its just showing the real you and theres nothing wrong with it.

In a lot of ways I feel that using photographs of yourself as an avatar leaves you open to problems. As a woman I would never use a photograph of myself, I wouldn't feel safe or comfortable with that at all. It's the same when people use pictures of their children, that's very risky these days. My avatar is a dragon, one of my favourite mythological creatures, although I do have a couple of cartoon avatars I created too.

I do use a picture of myself. I guess I have never thought of using something other than a picture that represents who I am. But then again, when people use a picture of something other than themself maybe that picture does represent them..what they like, their interests, etc. I don't really think it matters what picture people use but I am the type of person who does like to see what a person looks like when interacting with that person just so that I can put a name with a face. Some people are private people and would prefer not to have their pics posted online, that is fine with me but for me, I will stick with using my real picture. Thanks for the discussion. Have a great day.

why not?!? I used mine :) besides don't people ever get curious what users look like, especially once thay have posted issued/topics that sparks their interests? -- I know I am. :)

I use my real pics, because I have nothing to hide. Those who use fake pics makes me suspicious of them. Like, I think they're spammers or they're up to something. Why not post who you really are? Why be ashamed? On places like myspace, blackplanet, and crushspot, I know people on there, or I'm looking to get to know people on there, so I post real pics of me. On here, I kind of hesitated and put all head shots that's not showing my whole face. But hey, those are my music artist/top model shots. lol. But it's still me, and I have more than one in different outfits to prove it.