End Photoshop

Jun 27, 2012

Rachel K.

So, given that nearly every image I see on here is photoshopped, I can imagine this title might seem harsh. However, I really cringe when I see 9000000 likes (I hyperbolize) on a heavily photoshopped image with practically no makeup application, as compared to 0 on one where a woman is stunning, has great talent, and the makeup is flawless all the while demonstrating talent. I find it so confusing that most people struggle with self esteem and confidence largely BECAUSE we are confronted 24/7 with absolutely fake images, and yet we actually 'LIKE' them more than realistic ones. Something that inevitably tears us up, leads us to negative perceptions of others' imperfections, and the whole slew of superficial/unattainable beauty worshipping repercussions is something that women (which largely, the makeup community is) are actually, and perhaps not knowingly, perpetuating? Even more so, this is a beauty website, based on the real talents that people have for bringing out what is supposed to be the best in people, and yet photoshop absolutely destroys the demonstration of that work and also truly, very truly, makes the images nonhuman. What we see are not people.
So, my major overall point is this: Beauty and makeup should be about the best that we are and the best that we can do with it. Unattainable images of alien figures and faces hurt us (some more than others) terribly. AND in so many ways (which is not going to be the focus of this post). They can greatly weaken our ability to even connect with and relate to others. I used to be hugely against makeup when I was younger because I didn't yet have the wisdom that presenting our best selves is incredibly different from manipulating false representations of ourselves into unrecognizable objects. When I learned this distinction, that was when I could allow myself to fall in love with the use of products for all types of expression, whether it be to appear more vibrant and awake, more flawless, or to bring out the facets of ourselves that feel edgy, soft, sultry, etc. While makeup can be used to even out skin tone or for more artistic purposes, there is also the factor of attractiveness.
This was the part that I was really conflicted with because it is so embedded with the strive for unattainable perfection and it has been personally torturous for many women (hence damaged self esteem and confidence, relations with others, etc etc etc). I want to make the distinction between seeing flawless people and viewing flawless "people". There are women who walk around looking photoshopped with no makeup. But, even they don't appear to have rubbery, pore less skin and impossibly pigmented makeup. There is research supporting that the constant bombardment of fake photos of flawless "people" is what leads to problems, NOT seeing actually flawless people on the uber-rare basis. Those are a rarity that we can admire and maybe even be jealous of or insecure about for a fleeting moment. I hope there is a clear distinction between this and the fact that we are ALWAYS surrounded with this worshipped ideal that just doesn't exist.
This ties into my overall purpose of writing, which is to change the images we see, and thus the expectations of beauty we have, by starting with the ones we post and the ones we support. There might be a lot against makeup and how it might be "fake" or disingenuous, but the reality is, if we want it to be, that makeup and any product usage is for the sake of presenting our best selves and not manipulated alien versions. Secondly, as an online beauty community, we can best show our talents and the qualities of the products we use by not editing photos.
All of this being said, I conclude with some proposals for commencing this change. One is to stop editing photos of the looks we post. Two: If we absolutely MUST enhance the color of a lipstick, whiten our teeth a tad or hide a blemish, maybe that would be okay if we list Photoshop as a product, and list 'Shades' as the specific tools used (i.e. Dodge, Blur, Liquify). Three: Make a commitment to looking at makeup and don't just breeze over photos that don't appear so perfect. I believe these few steps will change how we perceive makeup, ourselves, and others, thereby enhancing the demonstrations of our efforts and the ability we have to understand, quite simply, what humans do actually look like.

Jun 27, 2012

Kendra F.

lol...made me laugh because i totally understand where you're coming from. Well said.

Jun 27, 2012

Gabbi D.

Photoshop isn't all bad. Actually, it is essential a lot of the time in getting good pictures. Retouching isn't necessarily about making YOU look flawless as much as making the image look more true to life. There are a lot of factors that have to be taken into account. Lighting and coloring in particular. If I did not make corrections in Photoshop, I would look a very odd color in a lot of pictures. There are also details that my camera picks up that muddles the images a bit. I swear it picks up those tiiiiiiiny hairs that no one would usually notice on your face and makes it look grainy if the picture is not enlarged to it's maximum size [which is useless].

I am not saying that people should use it for everything. Using Photoshop to make you seem better than you are is annoying and sort of false advertising, I agree. I am just asking that you don't completely condemn it. And when I think of using Photoshop to "enhance a lipstick" I think of making it more true to real because images can be deceiving without any help. I go to Photoshop to try "enhance" the image and fix this.

Jun 27, 2012

Rachel K.

i am so shocked that more people don't care about this.

Jun 27, 2012

karissa b.

I use photoshop to alter the color balance or fix anything that my camera screwed up, as well as to change the contrast or brightness/darkness, etc. A camera can even desaturate an image greatly. Makeup is an art. Photoshop is a form of digital art. I respect your opinion, but it's almost a little hypocritical. I love makeup, but makeup is used to enhance or change our features- adding color here and there, concealing a blemish on your chin, adding some bronzer to make your face look slimmer. Photoshop is essentially the same thing, just in digital format. If you completely alter the colors or draw in your perfect eyeliner using Photoshop, that's one thing. But enhancing a photo is different.

Jun 30, 2012

Rachel K.

i agree with these statements; i made my post because most of the popular/featured images are heavily, crazily photoshopped beyond point of recognition.

Jun 30, 2012

Emelie J.

I was just discussing this with my husband, actually. I totally agree that using Photoshop to the degree you are describing is wrong. I however need Photoshop for my photos because it happens quite often that the color of the nail polish shows up totally wrong on the photos, probably due to my lack of skill when it comes to camera settings, and then I need to correct it in Photoshop. I think the same should go for make up as well, because it is a true shame if you want to show this brilliant green polish or eyeshadow, and the camera displays it as teal...

But I do say YUCK to super retouched photos, definitely! Very well written.

Jan 27, 2013

Kim P.

I think what we need to do is teach the newer generation of beauties and people with other interests that don't comply with beauty what's photoshopped and what isn't. It's impossible to force everyone to stop using, some people use it to completely change their physique and appearance and some people just use it to color correct a picture, and it's too much to ask to end photoshop. I agree with your message, that the artists less known on here should be just as observed and complemented as those who use photoshop all over their picture. I just think more people should be aware of what is photoshop and what isn't, so that like you said people don't feel badly when they go through "constant bombardment of fake photos of flawless "people" .... NOT seeing actually flawless people on the uber-rare basis" and they'll know that behind the photoshop and make up is a human being too. I'm glad you're doing something about what you feel so strongly about,

Jan 27, 2013

Alisa D.

:)

Jan 27, 2013

Didi L.

believe it or not I don't know how to use photoshop :p

Jan 27, 2013

Alisa D.

me either, but I think it obvious from photos! but I do understand OPs thoughts there are so many pictures at that perfect angle and perfect lighting that I don't even want to post pics cuz I am like wow, how would I ever consider myself half talented compared to these...

Jan 27, 2013

Didi L.

yeah I got your point...exactly I totally agree

Jan 27, 2013

Alma M.

Photo shopped is ok when necessary I don't Photoshop, I don't feel any reason to unless the photographer chooses to.I think that's why alot of ladies get discourage about doing makeup they think they can't achieve the look there trying to achieve and they can with practice.Nothing its perfect and keep in mind if it doesn't look as bright or as sharp as a picture that's ok sometimes the picture is photo shopped to look perfect.I do agree there is alot of talented ladies on this site that have not been looked at because of the amount of likes.

Jan 27, 2013

Tays B.

I agree but I also disagree. Photoshop can be used for good purposes, but it gets to a point where it's too much. 

Jan 27, 2013

Estefany M.

emotional people but yea so true...its not only used for that though