That’s what I said when I watched this video. Ok, I’m kidding. I know the real reason I look so fat is because I am. But at least my videos and photos are an honest representation of me. Now before you read another word take a moment and click on the link above to watch a model transformed before your very eyes.
I knew models were airbrushed, and I knew that they were made leaner. I also knew that their cup sizes were regularly modified. What I didn’t realize is that their necks were stretched and their legs elongated. I didn’t know that their eyes were enlarged and moved about on their faces. It’s rather horrifying when you think about it.
Where do we draw the line between reality and fantasy when it comes to appearance? Cosmetics? Hair extensions? Fake tanning? Those are all very common appearance “enhancers” but some might argue that they’re dishonest too.
My personal opinion is that if you couldn’t be seen in person the way that your image appears, there’s some voodoo going on and it’s not on the up and up. My neck will never be longer, and I will not grow another inch taller, but I might tweeze my brows and put on a little lipstick.
No wonder we women look at ads and then turn a viciously critical eye on ourselves. “She must have more willpower,” we say. Well, yes, compared to me she doubtless does, but she’s also half digitized. In other words, fake.
Here’s to real women of all shapes, sizes, colors, and looks. There are so many versions of beauty that contorting an already beautiful woman into something less than human seems almost profane.
November 2, 2013 at 2:06 am
I get annoyed when people use the terms ‘beautiful’ and ‘thin’ interchangeably. Why can’t non-skinny people be beautiful? I know lots that are, both inside and out
November 2, 2013 at 2:06 am
Amen!
November 2, 2013 at 1:03 pm
I agree, beauty can be found in any size, as can ugliness.
November 2, 2013 at 5:24 am
Funny thing is, that original woman is most definitely beautiful! If she is “plain”, what are the rest of us?
November 2, 2013 at 1:02 pm
I agree, she is quite lovely, but we all are in our own ways, some are just less obvious to the outside world.
November 2, 2013 at 6:03 am
Seriously – when I first saw this video it was the enlarging of the eyes that for some reason really freaked me out. I’m so glad there seems to be increasing anger at this “manipulation” and real steps now being taken to try and combat it.
November 2, 2013 at 1:01 pm
Agreed, there are so many versions of normal, why should we have to conform to one?
November 2, 2013 at 8:08 am
I loved seeing this as it put a lot into perspective. My first reaction was “I want whatever program that is so I can do that to myself!!” LOL. I’m curious to know. =) But, this is what fuels self-esteem and insecurity in women so it should be banned!!
November 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm
It would be very interesting to see yourself after that treatment, but it would also be very strange.
November 2, 2013 at 9:23 am
Love who you are and your world will become more beautiful…
November 2, 2013 at 1:00 pm
I totally agree, although that’s not as easy as it sounds.
November 2, 2013 at 3:24 pm
This related post at the Belle Jar is so well written: http://bellejarblog.wordpress.com/2013/11/02/on-learning-to-love-my-nose/
November 2, 2013 at 10:21 pm
I was very upset about that video. As a photographer, our job is to accentuate the subjects beauty , their natural beauty. We’re not supposed to enhance or alter to make it appealing, but it happens in advertising everyday. It’s truly sad and upsetting. I would love to see more natural looking women represented and that’s what I hope to convey in my photography.
November 2, 2013 at 10:25 pm
You are extremely talented and capture your subjects beautifully. Personally, I’m not opposed to clearing up uneven skin tone or minimizing blemishes, but completely altering people’s appearances is terrible, especially when they no longer have human dimensions!
November 2, 2013 at 10:28 pm
Thank you 🙂 You can definitely accomplish editing simple fixes but enlarging eyes and elongating legs and changing body proportions is so crazy to me too
November 4, 2013 at 3:25 am
I once did a photo shoot with my other half. Part of the package was some of our images would be touched up, but we got the originals too. It’s one of my favourite things to show other people the contrast between the before and after shots – I still look the same, but just a little more plastic… And in one they erased half my bicep and barely touched my other half!
November 4, 2013 at 5:42 am
I find the whole concept bizarre and unsettling. Give me real any day. It must be odd to see yourself altered.
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