The Official 'Do I pass?' topic (Ver 5.0 - in 3-D)

[Hughie]

Hey everyone! I need to submit a pic where I'm hoping to pass reasonably well, or at least be androgynous rather than feminine. I'm not on T yet. Thoughts on which works better?

#1
http://imgur.com/a/XXjJ6

#2
http://imgur.com/a/25Wj3

[Mariah]

You have some work to do. A shorter hairstyle might instantly help you though. Hugs
Mariah

Hey everyone! I need to submit a pic where I'm hoping to pass reasonably well, or at least be androgynous rather than feminine. I'm not on T yet. Thoughts on which works better?

#1
http://imgur.com/a/XXjJ6

#2
http://imgur.com/a/25Wj3

[Hughie]

Hmm, not even androgynous? I have a couple of others that aren't as professional (which is my first choice). They're images I've played around with for other stuff:

#3
http://imgur.com/a/aZZPs

#4
http://imgur.com/a/BmU46

[TransAm]

Hey everyone! I need to submit a pic where I'm hoping to pass reasonably well, or at least be androgynous rather than feminine. I'm not on T yet. Thoughts on which works better?

#1
http://imgur.com/a/XXjJ6

#2
http://imgur.com/a/25Wj3

The first picture is a lot better but not quite masculine reading. You actually have a little bit of a Bob Dylan vibe going on, if you don't mind my saying.
The hair isn't the issue in my opinion as it's quite messy and I've seen many guys with similar hair. I'm assuming by the way you stated it that getting on T is something you ultimately plan on doing and... yeah, that's going to be the ultimate 'assistance'.

Currently, you're just on the brink of androgyny. I saw the other two images you posted and they're much more masculine in appearance, but I don't care to work with filtered images so the second one's out. The first one of the second batch is the most masculine one you posted. The original two seem to be more of an accurate representation of what you look like under normal circumstances, however, so I'm sticking with those.

I'm not trying to sound like your pre-T situation is currently hopeless, though, because you have a lot of good features to work with. Your eyes appear to be somewhat deeply set, your nose is masculine and your jaw is relatively wide from a front angle.
I went through the exact same thing pre-T. I did -everything- possible to pass and, at the time, I thought I looked really masculine. Looking back... I can finally objectively say that I didn't. It's the softness of the face from the E. Unless you're one of those extremely lucky (or unlucky, depending on your perspective) natal females with super sharp/angular features, your face tends to be fairly round and soft. Super short haircuts just accentuate that softness.

The point I'm ultimately trying to make is to stay strong through the waiting phase. You're doing what you can. It's going to work sometimes and other times it won't but try not to beat yourself senseless over it.
You just eventually get to the point pre-T where you can't do anything else (hair, clothing, mannerisms, etc. have all been altered). That period was probably the worst phase for me personally because it was during that time that I felt the most out of control of my situation.

[Hughie]

Cheers for the Bob Dylan compliment, I'll take that. I do like the messy hair... needs a bit of a trim but nothing much, and not going super short.

I do want to go on T, but I've been in a predicament the last while and searching for work. It seems very promising that I have an offer (and with government), but now I'll have to wait till I'm through six months probation to do any kind of transition, just to be safe as far as I know. It's a union job, so that's good too.

I don't need the pic for the job... left to my own devices I'm all for the messy hair, toques, band shirts etc... but for work I need to be professional in my clothes. And for other arty stuff, somewhere in between, depending on the context.

So yeah, I definitely agree that the E is giving a softness to my features and that's a problem more than haircut. I've got to wait till summer for the T though, and hang in there till then. I was definitely more on the 'delicate' side of female (long hair, small frame) and that's a hurdle to overcome. I feel like I should have a before and after pic somewhere lol. So it's already a big change for where I started from. I've also been working out a lot too trying to build some muscle and lose excess weight, which has been happening steadily. Hopefully in a year from now I'll be further along on the androgyny/male side than I am right now.

[mac1]

Hmm, not even androgynous? I have a couple of others that aren't as professional (which is my first choice). They're images I've played around with for other stuff:

#3
http://imgur.com/a/aZZPs

#4
http://imgur.com/a/BmU46

Your face and hair still look rather feminine.

[Elis]

Hughie- you look definitely androgynous in the first pic; messy hair works best for you. And I'm totally getting the Bob Dylan vibe

[Hughie]

Awesome, I'll take androgynous for $100.  

My hair is nothing but a series of cowlicks and waves and curls, so it does a bit better with a little length like it has here. It already does what it wants, lol. A new look every day!

[Dena]

I see what the problem is in the pictures. If you have the least amount of smile, it pushes the cheeks up and makes your face appear feminine. With no smile you move toward androgynous. I recommend that MTFs smile whenever possible just to enhance the cheeks and make them appear more feminine.

[Hughie]

That's a great observation, Dena. That explains why I usually prefer pictures of myself where I'm not smiling, but I didn't know why.

[Jonathan L]

I second Dena's comment about the smile. That's what tipped the first two pics over towards femaleness for me. I think your hair is awesome, but then I've always liked guys with long hair.

[Hughie]

Cheers! This is really explaining a lot about the lifelong mystery of why I never liked pics of me smiling in photos. Photos always made me uncomfortable, but ones where i smiled were the worst. Now it makes sense.

[Sophia Sage]

Another problem with #2 is the camera angle -- it's pointing down at your face, which makes your eyes bigger and your chin smaller (this effect is called foreshortening).  The use of shadow in #1 is nicely obscuring, while the 3/4 angle in #3 makes your masculine nose more visible (a good thing for your purposes).  Try a lower camera angle pointing slightly up at your 3/4 face, with shadow, and see how that works.

I like the big lapels sticking up in #1, very hipster.

Also, your lips might have too much color in these pics.  Maybe try a daub of concealer?  Or suck them in a bit,  hardening your mouth, so they're not so prominent, perhaps while jutting out your chin a little bit when you do so, too.  Obviously not a long-term strategy, but perfectly acceptable for a curated picture. 

[Hughie]

Cheers for all the photo tips and other tips - much needed.    

[Wild-Eyed]

Been a long time since I posted. Lately I've gained a lot of weight and my hair's grown shaggy. I hope I still pass to some small extent.

[Elis]

Been a long time since I posted. Lately I've gained a lot of weight and my hair's grown shaggy. I hope I still pass to some small extent.

You look androgynous; I think maybe if your hair was just slightly shorter you'd look more masculine. You don't look like you've gained any weight on your face, you have a good looking masculine jawline

[Jonathan L]

8 months on T and I'm finally passing thanks to the facial hair (I haven't shaved in over a month). I'm pretty thrilled about it because now I can grow my hair out and hopefully not be misgendered.

[Alexthecat]

8 months on T and I'm finally passing thanks to the facial hair (I haven't shaved in over a month). I'm pretty thrilled about it because now I can grow my hair out and hopefully not be misgendered.

That is a glorious beard for 8 months. I'm 7 months and barely have any on the sideburns.

[Selena]

8 months on T and I'm finally passing thanks to the facial hair (I haven't shaved in over a month). I'm pretty thrilled about it because now I can grow my hair out and hopefully not be misgendered.

You look exactly like one of my CIS-male friends, and he's never been misgendered. Some men don't grow much more than what you have now so if it keeps it up you should be all set.

If it were in my power to trade with you I would. If I don't shave at least every other day I look like a lumberjack.

Good luck,
Selena

[Jonathan L]

That is a glorious beard for 8 months. I'm 7 months and barely have any on the sideburns.

Thanks! I'm pretty shocked by how quickly it's grown, honestly. It's amazing how differently we all respond to testosterone.

You look exactly like one of my CIS-male friends, and he's never been misgendered. Some men don't grow much more than what you have now so if it keeps it up you should be all set.

If it were in my power to trade with you I would. If I don't shave at least every other day I look like a lumberjack.

Good luck,
Selena

That's awesome to hear Yeah, it hasn't even been a year yet so I'm assuming there is more to come.