When it comes to Photoshop ethics I agree that the use of the program has been grossly abused. Models are shaved, airbrushed, and simply distorted. The image that remains sometimes becomes humanly impossible to attain. Many are placing pressure on magazines to label retouched photographs and blame the industry for an increase in body image disorders especially among teen girls. Even the American Medical Association has weighed in on the issue.
However more than the use of Photoshop I believe larger questions in society need addressed: Why are these images so valued? Why is the public convinced they must intimate these images? If the public rejects impossibly perfected standards of beauty why do they sell? What factors and what value is placed on body image, especially for girls and women? Are these issues really new and stemming from over Photoshopped spreads or is this really just .02 version of an older debate and social flaw?
Personally I don't like how Photoshopped ads and magazines are but I don't agree with restricting the use of Photoshop or even labeling it. I believe in education - visual education, as a way to answer Photoshop criticisms and open discussions on the use of imagery to sell and manipulate consumer values. This is a digital age and digitized images are part of our technological landscape.
The public is aware of their disadvantages compared to models, celebrities and retouched photos. The average person doesn't have a stylist, makeup artist, or a famous photographer to prepare for their Facebook photo and they know that. The constant barrage of fantasy cover-girls (and boy-men), media obsession with obesity, printed lectures for self improvement, and do-it-yourself makeup/style tutorials is frustrating. People don't have time. So why not blame Photoshop. It's all bullshi*t anyway. They're lying to us. They're not socially conscious or responsible.
Blaming Photoshop for those things is like blaming Apple for releasing the iPhone (insert number here) for your credit card debt. Isn't this just another ill from over-consumption? Just something to think about.
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