Four in ten feel they have a ‘bad side’ in photos – and reckon it is their left side

Millions of Brits have a “bad side” when it comes to their appearance – and it’s more likely to be the left than the right. A poll of 2,000 adults found four in ten have what they consider to be a less attractive side.

Of these, 40 percent believe their left side is inferior to their right – while 37 percent think their right side is the poorer one, and 23 percent are undecided.

More than half (56 percent) hate having a photo taken when they least expect it – worrying the shot will capture their “bad side”.

And 60 percent will make others swap with them if they find themselves on the wrong side in a picture.

Meanwhile, 61 percent will avoid having their pic taken altogether – if they can’t stand on their better side.

Commissioned to celebrate the new Samsung Galaxy A54 5G, which has “light boosting” capabilities, the study also found 37 percent don’t like being photographed with the flash on.

A quarter (24 percent) admitted they “hate” how the flash highlights their blemishes.

Broadcaster, author, and founder of Happy Place, Fearne Cotton, who is a Samsung Ambassador, said: “I’m no stranger to an unflattering photo, and know how annoying it can be when bad lighting ruins a photo.

“Whether I’m trying to capture a picture of my best mates at dinner, or a sweet photo of my kids, a lovely moment can be bleached out if you get too flashy.

“However, you don’t have to miss out on capturing those beautiful moments – and you can start with abandoning the flash altogether.”

The study also found 37 percent “don’t mind” having a few pictures taken in social situations.

But more than a quarter (26 percent) don’t like having a solo snap, and 35 percent prefer to be the one taking pictures of other people.

Ahead of having their picture taken, 21 percent will check their appearance in a reflection beforehand – and the same percentage will ask for multiple shots, not just one.

Just over a quarter (27 percent) will edit the lighting of a picture taken before posting it on social media.

And 14 percent adjust their make-up if they know they’re having flash photos taken.

The average adult will take four photos of something before they settle on it as “the one” – with just 16 percent getting it right first time.

And this process takes an average of 11 minutes – with 10 percent taking as long as 30 minutes, according to the OnePoll.com data.

When having a picture taken, 25 percent worry about it looking too forced or staged, and 15 percent fear the dreaded “red eye”.

Of those who post to social media, 21 percent say they feel real joy when they get what they consider to be the perfect picture.

And 19 percent have a sense of excitement of sharing what they think is a really good snap, with their followers.