M3 is a beautiful car, why doesn't it always photograph well?

[insaneoctane]

This is probably the most subjective thread I have ever started but here goes....
I've seen the M3 in person and from multiple angles. It's beautiful and looks better than it's photos. The MS is also a gorgeous car, yet it looks great in every photo I've seen it in.

Speculation of why the MS is more photogenic?

 

[PoitNarf]

Crappy cameras and bad photographers.

 

[ratsbew]

The motion path of your eyes combined with stereoscopic vision lets you see the car in true 3d when you see it in person. A static 2d picture doesn't do this and tends to flatten the shape.

 

[Runt8]

I’ve only seen it in pictures and I think it looks amazing.

 

[strykeroz]

Your answer might be in your question...

subjective (adjective)
        based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.

Beauty, so they say, is in the eye of the beer-holder.

 

[Elja Trum]

I'm with @ratsbew on this: it's the difference between 2D and 3D.
An effect you often see with cars. You need a good photographer to make the car look good in 2D too.

 

[JonathanDandrea]

There are some awkward / atypical proportions on the car namely the lowered hood that cause the greenhouse to appear more bubbled. This allowed for the excellent aero but with high belt line cars being the current trend the M3 can appear a bit abnormal from certian angles. Struggling on wether to buy out MS lease or get M3 because of this. I am a architect so my annoyingly hyper critical eye is probably amplifying the problem tho.

 

[insaneoctane]

Most of the replies don't take into consideration that somehow the MS always photographs well....

 

[Marsnaut]

From personal experience selling random things on eBay, it's pretty hard to get a "professional" shot that you would see on a retailer's site. Small items are easier to photograph than something as large as a car. In a picture, the angle and reflection of light can distort what the object looks like.

When I look at pictures of the Model 3 from afar, it looks much better. However, you don't get to see the details/curve as well as the color as clearly but shape is more defined.

Also, I feel that the flat nose and downward sloping headlights don't look as flattering in a picture (like a pig with its nose squished on glass).

 

[AnxietyRanger]

I think the large green house unfortunately is polarizing in photos, depending on the angle.The green house is disproportionate compared to the sleek Model S. (Model X is the same way, disproportionate green house.)

 

[ElecFan]

I haven't seen one in person, only in photo's and videos in which imo it looks amazing.
If it looks even better than it's photos, then WOOOOOOOW!