Lets get real: Retouching vs reality.

Aug 5, 2015

Tiffany B.

So I was extremely motivated to share this link with those of you that are interested, it talks about a bill that is being reintroduced to congress about retouching. It touches base on how photoshop and other body altering tools can interfere with people's self-esteem and more. Being that we live in a society driven by beauty products, advertisements, etc.I'm interested to hear others thoughts. How do you feel about what they are saying? Does or has the advertising industry effected you? What beauty ads do you think have had this impact most?

Here is the link to the article:
https://www.headspace.com/blog/view/469/retouching-vs-reality-how-an-ex-ad-man-is-trying-to-change-the-industry

Just remember you are all beautiful people, the things that make you unique are what make you, you. wrinkles, freckles, age spots, acne, whatever it may be. Be kind to your yourself and your fellow users.

I hope this post will be allowed as I feel it is relevant since we are all using a social media website surrounded around beauty products, images, and advertisements, however if its not allowed I apologize.

Aug 5, 2015

Alma M.

Tiffany what a great topic, let's hope to get some feed back from the community. :) I'll give feed back as soon as I finish my moderating duties.

Aug 5, 2015

Tiffany B.

Thanks for the response Alma, I'm interested to hear your input :)

Aug 5, 2015

patty s.

I think if the bill passes or not we need to teach our daughters, little sisters, nieces that they are unique and beautiful as they are. we need to let them know that what's on tv and on magazines is make belive. We need to empower them to grow up confident and accept their flaws. We also need to teach our sons that what they see is photoshop that they shouldn't expect every girl to look like the ones in the magazines. We need to teach them to respect women.

Aug 5, 2015

Sadie G.

Wow. I'm amazed by that article. It opened my eyes a lot, and I'm not quite sure how I feel about this issue. Like in the article says, there's no way they'll get advertisers to stop using photoshop. BUT I like the idea of having the picture stating that photoshop was used. And I can understand "enhancing" the pictures (removing stray hairs, blemishes, ect) BUT when it gets to the point, of removing and adding parts of their body, that's what bothers me. Taking away a waist, adding a butt, that makes it not look like the model. But I also like the idea of not letting it be around a child audience. A lot of help with this issue will have to come from the parents. Explaining to their kids that they're not real, that no one actually looks like that, ect. Will help a lot. I think a lot of times adults forget that kids don't understand that. This was so interesting, thanks for sharing!

Aug 6, 2015

Kattya M.

I don't see a problem with this honestly but that's because I think that those perfect bodies we are shown by the media are indeed accomplishable. Do you think stopping the photoshop will result in having a perfect body -with a little bit of cellulite of her butt. Do you think the girls that were getting affected by this images will feel better now? Like phew! I thought she was perfect but her elbow is wrinkled! We need to focus in raising powerful people not victims that complain about a tough goal, but people that reach those goals and raise the bar.

This kind of trends scare me because my personal opinion is all for a HEALTHY body image, to me, there is no problem in showing ads of beautiful women because it is possible to get it with enough determination. I feel that now the trend is "let's show the average" rather than an obtainable ideal, and sadly, today's average is very distorted due to poor alimentation and bad habits. I really tried to not offend anyone so if you are well sorry not sorry.

Aug 6, 2015

Yaya B.

Out of context but its funny how I post a link the other day in the nail section and it got deleted by moderator and its not right.

Aug 6, 2015

Roz X.

I prefer my Congress out of my business as much as possible. This "we know what's best for everyone" is just a grab for more influence and power. I'll worry about my own self-esteem, thanks.

In advertising, they should absolutely have disclaimers if they've, say, added falsies to a mascara ad, but this is nonsense. First they took the 100 watt bulb and what's next? Butter like in "V for Vendetta"? A better idea is to work on creating jobs, this economy, reducing crime, lowering taxes so businesses stop fleeing..ugh. Go home, Congress. You're drunk.

Aug 6, 2015

Shelley W.

While I understand the purpose/goal behind the bill I find it absolutely insane that its even a topic of dicussion with Congress. These are the very same individuals who have voted against women's rights in regards to fair/equal pay. I'm with Rozberry J on this one. Just stay out my business and work on creating policy that is beneficial for all.

The advertising community needs to police itself and quite frankly we aren't so gullible to believe the pictorial ads we see featuring mascara. We all know the reality so we don't need tax payer money wasted to remind us of such.

Aug 6, 2015

Genevieve D.

Amen Kattya and Rozberry! I couldn't agree more!

Aug 6, 2015

Tiffany B.

Thank you all for your responses, I find everyones point of view very interesting. I'm right on board with most of you.

As a parent I can somewhat agree with patty. I do feel that it is a parent's job to make their child aware of what is real or fake but I do believe that these advertisements can still effect their self esteem, whether the parent has made them aware or not. However I do not feel it fair to place blame on one broad group of individuals.

As an artist I must agree with Jacqueline. I def see Shelley's and Rozberry's point of view as well.

Sorry for such a delayed response, per usual was working.

Aug 6, 2015

Emily B.

I totally agree with Rozberry and Shelley. I prefer my business be my business. My decisions are mine and mine alone. The same people vote against the people for the people's rights, including women's work with equal pay, reproduction rights, and the entire people with the second amendment which is an issue outside of this community, but Important because our Constitution says all of our rights should be guaranteed. On that note, go away these are my choices.
In addition, as a 22 year old woman with two daughters, it is one of my biggest hopes and desires to raise my daughters to see their own worth and beauty. While they may have scars, that is a learning or life saving experience. Why should you feel the need to hide it? I could see why, but also learn to accept it. Because the right person and people will accept it. Stretch marks are natural and while I don't have any, there is no shame in them. They come from growing in many ways, and they are all beautiful. The problem is not encouraging that wealth and beauty and individuality. Nothing against makeup, but in my opinion, I don't feel like women should use it until a certain time, which could be different from everyone. I want to know my daughters have a firm grasp of self and their self esteem before they decide to learn how to create illusion.

Aug 6, 2015

Shelley W.

Emily...kudos to you...its definitely hard raising girls. I only have one and two boys. My daughter was born with a cleft lip/palete. She has had more surgeries than I can count and is set to have another next year. A couple weeks ago we went and took our annual family portrait with a new photographer. The last one knew not to retouch any of the pics...especially in regards to my daughter as she requested no Photoshop to completely erase her scars. Well, we told the new one point-blank...no Photoshop. My daughter embraces her scars because she says they created who she is as person. She uses them to educate others about her journey...especially with younger kids in her Cleft Club who are struggling. Funny this should be posted yesterday because today I received the pics. The photographer Photoshopped away not only my daughter's scars but cancelled out my husband's rosy cheeks, made me a few shades lighter and thinned out the chubby cheeks on my middle child. I'm pissed. My daughter hasn't seen the pics yet but its very telling how the photographer views what is beautiful and proceeded to erase the very things that are embraced by those affected.

Aug 7, 2015

Tiffany B.

I'm sorry to hear that that happened Shelley, hopefully you can get some unedited images from the photographer.

Aug 7, 2015

Kattya M.

Oh I agree completely with you on that one of the photographer Shelley! When I was taking my driver's license pic the guy started erasing my mole next to my mouth and making me lighter and I was like nonono stop! Like I'm ok with how I look you don't need to automatically start doing that! Same thing happened to my bf only he didn't even get the chance to say anything, we just found out when we got the pics and he didn't even look like himself.

Aug 7, 2015

Shelley W.

Its very telling of the photographers who do that nonsense what they deem as "pretty". The industry seriously needs to police itself and put in place some guidelines because while my self-esteem and that of my kids are pretty strong there are definitely others who are affected by the untruthful images displayed in print media.

Aug 7, 2015

Emily W.

Rozberry, preach! You took the words out of my mouth! Same with Sadie and Jacqueline. Y'all are on the level.

Are we as a society that stupid? Are we really so lacking in critical thinking skills that we can't tell the difference between photoshop and reality, and have enough sense to keep those fantasy images from affecting our self-confidence? Seriously? Are we that far into the idiocracy that we need Big Brother legislation to protect our fragile egos? Good grief.