I feel like the subject of whether or not it’s ok to Photoshop models or celebrities to look skinny or flawless has been done to death. And after all the debate, we’re still in the same place. Magazines still do it, and we still hate it… but do we? Why do we keep buying into it?
I’m married to a celebrity photographer, so I see all the behind-the-scenes blood and guts of pre-Photoshopped images. I’ve seen the world’s most beautiful women including the likes of Rihanna and Holly Madison get makeovers courtesy of my man. And even though these women are stunning in real life, the powers that be have decided that they’re just not good enough for print.
photo by Greg Kadel – more about this photo in today’s video
I’ve made a pact with you all to never alter an image of myself to make me appear thinner or less bumpy than I am in real life, but I’ve TOTALLY fixed a pimple or two (or three) and corrected some up-all-night-with-the-baby dark circles under my eyes. In fact, every single one of my professional pictures have gone through some level of Photoshop. The color has been corrected, shadows have been removed, a bruise from running into a weight bench has been erased.
My struggle with acne has always been a topic of
insecurity for me, but here yo go!
There are so many levels of Photoshopping that can be applied to a image, and I’m still not sure how I feel about the use of heavy image alteration in high fashion magazines. What makes me angry is the use of Photoshop in the fitness world. Fitness trainers and gurus are meant to be examples of people living truly healthy lives and working towards authentically fit physiques. On more than a few occasions, I’ve seen photos of women who I admire that have obviously been altered to make their waist appear smaller or cellulite non-existent. To me, that’s inexcusable. How can we motivate women (and girls) to go after their fitness goals when we’re setting an unrealistic example of what a woman’s body looks like? We can’t.
Photoshopped Bex – Can you see the differences?
Like I said, this is a HUGE subject that touches on body image, self-esteem, parenting, influence, art, economy… the list goes on. I want to hear about your experience with looking at images in fashion and fitness magazines (and online – I’m sure all of you don’t live in the stone ages of print media like me), and how those images made you feel about yourself. Is there a difference between celebrities, models and fitness personalities when it comes to their responsibility to their fans? Talk to me, ladies!!
Click here to see a Photoshop-free me 5 months after having baby #4.
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