Sometimes I feel inferior, or should I say I have a phobia of cameras? Sometimes I feel like I'm not pretty enough to take pictures like any other person would. This is the main reason why I don't like taking pictures, and if at all I have to, I will have to use filters to make myself pretty. Sometimes I find it weird, but all the same, I use them anyway. I am a dark-skinned girl, even though I wish I were a bit lighter, thinking that would make me pretty because, growing up, I had the belief that only light-skinned girls are pretty.
Growing up as a child, I had to live with people calling me a dark girl like charcoal. This murdered my confidence, and I find it difficult to believe that I'm pretty even though my parents always tell me not to give in to their taunts. In my teenage years, I became more confident when I started having the qualities of a lady. This boosted my confidence, and whenever I look at myself in the mirror, I do say to myself, "I am pretty," but I still use filters in my pictures.
To me, there is nothing wrong with using filters when taking pictures; it makes one look more beautiful, and to me, it gives me the confidence to present myself to the outside world. After I grew to be an adult, I let go of all the inferiority complex; I guess it disappeared with age. I find more confidence and pleasure in my natural self than in using filters. Most often, I go out without having makeup on, no matter where I'm going. I do go out with my natural face, with no added artificial spices.
I do tell people who see my beautifully filtered pictures and comments not to get high hopes of meeting someone as pretty as the one they see with the filters. I do prepare them mentally for what they should expect to see in reality. I remembered when I met a good friend, 
My picture with filter
I was once deceived by someone's filtered picture. I'm sure he took the picture with an iPhone, but the filter looks so good on him that anyone would have believed that was the real him until I met him physically. It was a different person entirely; I had to struggle within myself to compare the picture I saw with the person standing in front of me. With the reaction on my face, he could tell something was wrong. After a while, I talked with him about why people think they aren't okay with their natural selves except with filters. but he couldn't answer me because he knew the question was directed at him. Every one of us is wonderfully made with his or her peculiarities; with this mentality, no one will feel inferior.
My picture without filter
Thanks for your time and your comments will be appreciated.