Conquer the Media [by: Rowena :)]

#5: Photo Manipulation on Hiatus in the Media

Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 11:29 PM

How do you feel about the photoshopped images gone bad? Can you think of any other examples where you have seen this and thought to yourself - "wow that looks strange!". Share one of those examples with us in your blog. Does it bother you that companies are constantly crossing the line with their manipulations - or do you see it as just the way it is? How about this new trend where models and celebrities are baring their make-up free faces and saying "no" to photoshop? Is it a trend that will stick? What about the idea of magazines and runways using "normal" people, like the young, the old and the size 16 ladies? What is your reaction when you look at a magazine spread that isn't all glammed up like we are used to seeing? Share any of your thoughts and ideas on any of these issues.

I remember when I first learned about Photoshop, I was in the seventh grade. I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I begged my parents for it, but it was simply too expensive. I would have never expected that something that I thought was so cool could cause such a huge controversy. It makes me wonder - when Photoshop 1.0 was released in 1990, would the creators have ever realized that their product would be the one that would continously be blamed for the low self-esteem of everyone who is exposed to the media? You hear articles in the media that constantly attack this product for creating false, unrealistic beauty. However, what people do not realize is photo tampering has been going on for years, and can even be seen from photographs taken in the 1800’s! Look at these two photos, for example:

The image on the right was created by placing Abraham Lincoln's head on a Southern politican, John Calhoun's body. The original photograph is seen on the left.
(Source: http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/farid/research/digitaltampering/index1.html)

Being a very popular portrait of Abraham Lincoln, this is clearly a photograph that has been tampered with so effectively that barely anyone knows that the photograph was not original. It makes you wonder if there really is anything genuine in this world, doesn’t it?

The good news (for us, at least) is that many photographs that have been tampered with actually do look like they were tampered with. Here is one such picture:

The head...does not fit...with...body...too funny...must go laugh!!! (Excuse me for a second).
(Source: http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com)

So, how exactly do I feel about photoshopped images gone bad such as this one? Well, I think they are absolutely amazing (don't be shocked. I'll explain soon enough). Whenever someone points out a photoshop disaster, in my head, I am thinking, “HAHA! That’s what these companies get!”. To be honest, I really applaud these photoshopped images gone bad, simply because of the fact that they look so ridiculous, that we can easily pinpoint the mistakes made. I applaud them because it is these kinds of mistakes that make us more aware of the fact that we really should not believe everything we see in the media. The fact that we can look at a picture and automatically see that it does not look real, because it really isn’t genuine, shows that we, humans, are not as dumb as some businesses think we are. It is these mistakes that makes our society come to the conclusion that the photos we see in the media are unrealistic, and change is necessary.

The fact that we are able to point out these mistakes bothers me at the same time, however, because it shows how far companies have crossed the line. I really don’t like it!! Why do they have to set such unrealistic expectations for beauty and tampering with things because they think that’s what is perfect? Nobody’s perfect, therefore it will never be accomplished, no matter what one does. Plus, real beauty is so much more beautiful, and, in my opinion, is definitely the closest thing to perfection.

It is because of this particular reason why I really enjoy the fact that a new trend is cultivating in the media: the trend in which the media shows “normal” people for who they really are – no make-up, no tamperings, no manipulative actions. The first time I looked at a magazine that showed real beauty, and the first time I saw “normal” people in the runways, I couldn’t help but be ecstatic! This is how the world should be! We should not be deceived like we have been for so many years, and given unrealistic expectations to beauty! Finally, a chance to be real!!

I’m really hoping that this trend sticks, but the fact that we constantly strive for perfection, and the fact that businesses seem to always be doing what they can to make you buy their products really makes this task seem impossible. However, I will continue to hope that this trend will never disappear, and that, eventually, everyone will realize how beautiful they really are...because, really, who needs technology to look perfect?

posted by Rowena @ 11:29 PM

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