Photoshop Drama - Altering reality
Thu, 10/08/2009 - 09:47 — Alan Klein
You would not think a program like Photoshop would cause a public uprising but the drama has been occurring for many years. It started several years ago in the infancy of Photoshop when a National Geographic photographer moved two of the pyramids in Egypt closer together because it was more pleasing to look at. It's continues monthly now. We may not notice it but on many magazine covers like Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Allure, and others we see perfect head shots of models. No wrinkles, perfect jawlines, blemish free skin, etc.
Ralph Lauren or at least one of his ad is now caught up in the current soap opera. It shows a model in an emaciated state selling blue jeans or something. What is too much when it comes to the Photoshop retouching tools? If the images depicted in the article (link below) are real ad photos then I think we have gone way beyond the heroin sheik look to something that is even more creepy. If the camera adds 10 pounds, what do we start with? What do you think?
Ralph Lauren Caught up in Photoshop Drama. Altered Image or Actual Ad?
http://www.stylelist.com/blog/2009/10/07/ralph-lauren-ad-skinny-model-ph...
Link to excessively Photoshoped magazine covers.
http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/27089661.html
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Comments
Interesting...but where is that line again?
After checking out several of the altered images from the "ohnotheydidnt" link, I found myself questioning the fine line between art and dishonesty. The Kate Hudson image seems more like a showcase for the art of cosmetic (make-up) application, while the image of Faith Hill (chopped off some normal arm flab and even more normal eye wrinkles) was just insulting. Are we, the readers, supposed to believe that these stars look like this all the time (or even that it's expected to be 50 years old and have skin as smooth as a baby's bum?), or must we wait until we're in the checkout line at Wegman's to see the paparazzi images on tabloids featuring their "real" physiques? On the other hand, why do we even care at all?!
I must admit I saw something very wrong (and disproportionate) in the original CK jeans ad featuring an emaciated model whose head was wider than her pelvis. At the risk of sounding hypocritical, I've personally got no problem with make-up on stars (and us non-famous people!), because as a female, walking around with dark under-eye circles and blemishes makes me feel just plain "yucky." As a former ballerina and dancer, I loved playing with make-up to create different "looks" and personalities to match my routines. I'm guessing celebs like trying on new looks as well, especially those such as Tyra Banks (honestly, I despise her, but the girl really does switch it up) and the ridiculous but somewhat interesting looks of Lady Gaga (rolling eyes).
Sorry if this post seems to go off on countless tangents; perhaps you could just Photoshop them out. ;)