"Two glasses in the posts to pretend we're not alone," the couple who aren't there on social media

It's not just about Instagrammable dishes, carefully set tables, and table settings designed to create a sense of atmosphere. Nor is it just about skincare and makeup tutorials and outfit suggestions. On social media, from Instagram to TikTok to Telegram, "even images of private life can become tools for building and communicating a specific identity." Behind a seemingly candid photograph, in fact, there can be a veritable backdrop: the setting, the position of the body, the music, what is shown, and, above all, what is intentionally left out of the frame.  

Among the most curious phenomena is the "invisible couple": photographs "artfully constructed to make people think there's a partner next to them, even when there's no one else present. There are courses, not just for influencers or aspiring influencers, that explain how to take the best photos and how to create a backdrop. The content is never completely random: the setting, the content, the music, and even the way people present themselves are studied." Anna Maria Giannini, professor of psychology at La Sapienza University of Rome, points this out to Adnkronos Salute.  

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An example? "A man who doesn't want to show he's alone can photograph a landscape, a part of his body, or a moment from the evening," he explains. "He can post a photo of an aperitif or dinner, perhaps with two glasses of wine, but without showing the person who should be sitting next to him. What does this image communicate? It can be crafted to suggest a relationship or to convey a message of 'not being alone,'" Giannini observes. "It shows that you're in company, sparking interest and curiosity, but in reality, there's no one else around." 

It's a subtle but important difference: "A partner isn't explicitly shown; rather, a clue is left so that the viewer can complete the story," adds Giannini. "On the other hand, those who aren't afraid to show their solitude can choose very different images: a glass of wine next to a book or a sunset observed alone. Those who don't want to show themselves alone can instead show two glasses of wine at the table, taking pictures of themselves and the surroundings, but never of the other person," he emphasizes. 

"Even on social media, what isn't shown can become part of the message. A photograph doesn't necessarily tell the story of what's happening in front of the lens: above all, it can convey the self-image you want to convey to others," she concludes. 

(Adnkronos)