In my recent post about the effects of "reality" makeover shows on women and their body image, I mentioned that all of us look at media images through our own body image lens. I also mentioned the terms "digital retouching" and "dramatic effect."
When I tell you that magazine and advertising images are digitally retouched, I'm sure that doesn't exactly come as a surprise. A nip here or a blemish removal there is all part of perfecting the image, right? But you might be surprised at the level of retouching that goes into some photographs.
Thanks to my new obsession with Twitter Search, I came across an excellent example of how re-touching is used in photos. Check out these images from the digital portfolio of Greg Apodaca, who works as a digital retoucher for pre-press houses, design studios and advertising agencies. Spend some time rolling your mouse over the images and you'll get a real feel for why it's so easy for women -- and for our daughters -- to beat up on ourselves for not looking model perfect.
Make no mistake -- the models are still absolutely beautiful. But when you see the before and after, you'll notice something that's left out of most magazine and advertising photos: They're also human.
So the next time your daughter starts clipping magazine photos and putting them on the refrigerator as diet inspiration, I hope you'll take her to this site and show her what's behind the illusion. "Fit and healthy" is a great goal to strive for, but perfection?
It just doesn't exist.
I saw those images once before. Personally, I think the models look better BEFORE the re-touching. The after photos look a bit...alien, is the only word I can think of.
Posted by: Alyssa | 01/30/2009 at 12:44 PM
Wow. I've never seen this, thanks so much for the link!
I agree with Alyssa- especially once you roll over and then look at the retouched image, the after photo looks a little freaky. I just don't understand why its so NECESSARY to retouch to the extent that they do.
Posted by: Sagan | 01/31/2009 at 04:32 PM
Hi Dara,
Fit and healthy is great. My daughter (12) hasn't really gotten into magazines yet. In fact, she seems happiest with a ball in her hands. And I couldn't be happier. Just yesterday, we were at her brother's basketball game. And I was bringing her over (my wife coaches our son) - and we were running late - and she was trying to hurry me along. She wanted nothing more than to get out on the basketball court - during timeouts and between quarters - just to shoot the ball. Maybe this is different from photo retouching. Or maybe not. Maybe it's about doing what you love, and being happy and okay with it all. And she is. She was thrilled to get there and just be able to shoot a few baskets. Later today, she'll play two games herself. And through it all - she will be positive and upbeat. It's the image she always portrays, and one that I love so much about her. And I wonder if... she would be so happy if she were cutting photos of "perfection" from a magazine - and hanging up as ideals. I'll take what we have now as long as I can get it...
Posted by: Lance | 02/01/2009 at 02:47 AM
Wow. What an eye opener! I knew they did it, but that really does show you the potential! Great link! Thanks.
~rupal
Posted by: Rupal | 02/02/2009 at 04:28 AM
Alyssa and Sagan, I think it's only when we see those images side by side that we realize just how "unreal" many magazine and advertising photos are. Lance, I love the positive picture you paint of your daughter. She sounds like a terrific kid and a good role model for her friends. Rupal, glad you liked the link :-).
Posted by: Dara Chadwick | 02/02/2009 at 05:52 AM