It seems like photoshop is constantly in the news recently. In fact photoshop has become a nemesis of our time. Models and celebrities everywhere are speaking out about how they don’t want to be photoshopped anymore and about the joys of being natural and truthful about their bodies. Much like the “perfect” measurements of Barbie, the perfectly photoshopped images of celebs are going by the wayside.
Or are they?
Instagram allows even the most novice user to filter an image to the point of an unrecognizable Tinder profile pic. Snapchat has a pretty filter that will clear up any imperfections you may have (and some you don’t). And celebrities themselves are promoting apps that will put you in your best light for only $4.99.
So what’s the deal? Are high-school students with iPhones allowed to change their appearance but not models and actors? Or maybe everyone is allowed to make small changes so long as they add #NoFilter? But wait! What about just using good lighting or shooting from your best angle? These are no-brainers for those in the industry but since everyone doesn’t naturally photograph well should we all be put on even ground? No lights or high-tech cameras; iPhone 4 or earlier only for profile pics please.
I get it. Images that are too perfect set an unrealistic standard and make it even tougher for young people than it already is. Sometimes things that seem too good to be true can ruin your expectations with the efficiency of a Twilight love triangle. I get it. I was an awkward teenager who was kind of a loser (read: total loser). I was never in the cool kids group. And I came into my own later than most kids do. I understand unmet expectations. And I partially agree. We shouldn’t set the standard so high that kids don’t feel good about themselves and good about who they already are.
But then again that may be the point. Not that photoshop is bad in and of itself. Because let’s be honest, most of the models still look better than the rest of us without photoshop. I think the point the models are trying to make is that they are ok with who they are already. And you should be too. No matter which body type you happen to have or what you happen to look like, you should love who you are. Which is a very good point.
On the other hand, I think we can have standards and goals without letting them become unrealistic. We can all do things to better ourselves; that is what the entire makeup industry is built on. And I don’t think there is anything wrong with giving people something to shoot for. I know I for one grew up being motivated by the way Arnold and Stallone looked. If someone works hard to look great we shouldn’t hate them for it. It should motivate us to become the best that we can personally be.
Anyway, this photoshop talk got me wondering how much photo magic is used on me, so I looked into it. The truth is that most of us have little to no choice on what the final product looks like. We show up for a shoot and hopefully do a good job and then wait to see the finished work like everyone else.
Here are a couple of pictures from one of my shoots. These aren’t the same shot but it’ll give you the idea.
This picture is straight from the monitor and untouched from the day of the shoot:
And this is the final product they used for the poster:
My last point is this: I don’t want to be a motivational speaker, I want to be a motivational doer. I want to show people what can be accomplished. I want to inspire people to be the best them that they can be.
On the other hand, we could all use a little help sometimes…so would someone please show me how to use that Snapchat pretty filter? #NoFilter
