Why Photoshopping Models Isn't A Bad Thing

[Winterfella]

I see a lot of complaints on photo-shopped models and how it creates unrealistic expectations for girls and causes them to feel negative and have body disorder issues like anorexia or bulimia. #SeeMyWork.

Now I'm not going to deny that these images don't affect girls and can lead to body disorders which is of course bad but I don't think that just straight up banning this is what you should do because since when was altering images illegal and the consequences don't justify it in my mind.

I think that people are way too influenced by the media and the fact that some young girls actually get problems due to adverts on the internet is the sign of a pussified country, I mean people are actually feeling bad because of images of other people, why the hell does anyone care? you should be able to get over it and not be so sensitive.

So what do we do?

The only thing I can think of is educate people and specifically children to not take the media so seriously and not be so sensitive or self-conscious because of these things. We need to get to the point where people aren't so offended and annoyed at just about everything and stop whining about this bullshit.

All in all, let's all just realize that these companies do this to make people have connotation of their product with healthy people and attractiveness it's a marketing ploy and one of the tamer ones that large corporations use.To sum up my point it's that if you get triggered or feel depressed it's your problem not the companies.

[LittleSally]

BS... complete...
So people don't look healthy until they've been photoshopped... HAHAHAH Who then does look healthy in real life? 3% of humanity?

[Night-cuck]

fair point there but I think you get what was said with positive connotations.

[Waffles731]

Well, he just got banned again

[Josht13]

I'm back motherfucker.

[Waffles731]

@Josht13 lets see how long that lasts,
Fourth account

[Josht13]

Hey me and gag are cool now, don't fuck this up.

[redeyemindtricks]

The irony is, the VAST majority of red-blooded straight men, like 99 percent, would rather fuck the left-hand version. Hands down.
(Take it from a girl who's naturally built like the right-hand version... and who's always gotten a *deluge* of extra male attention -- including from every boyfriend she's ever had, and from the loving husband of her wet dreams -- whenever she's put on an extra ten or fifteen pounds.)

Especially that lower curve of her midriff, where her natural waist tapers out into the bottom half of her hourglass. Like, the part they unceremoniously 'shopped out of the right-hand pic, probably deriding it as "love handles".
Are you kidding me?
Straight men would KILL to get their grips on dem hips.

Seriously... THAT contour, right there, is the very definition of the perfect hourglass, and it's intimidating af for skinny bitches like me. (It's also 99.6 percent of the reason why men love crop tops and low-cut denim so much.) If they're 'shopping that out, they're honestly trying to DE-sexualize the model, and make her LESS intimidating.

[Josht13]

No way, the one on the right is definitely more attractive to me.

[redeyemindtricks]

@Josht13 You are in a very small minority. (Either that or a VERY shy, VERY silent majority, lol.)

[koko124]

That's really not true at all, and if it is it's probably due to the quality of the photoshop. The version on the left is objectively more feminine, showing signs of higher estrogen (bigger ass, hips, tits, smaller waist, and less fat on the arms).

Estrogen tends to increase sexual submissiveness while simultaneously preferentially storing fat in the "feminine" places.

However, it's also been documented that men prefer a less "estrogenic" or less "sexual" looking women, and sometimes even slightly more masculine-looking women, when looking for a long term partner. So the version on the left does win out by being girlfriend material, but not by being a dude's top booty call.

www.yourtango.com/.../your-face-shape-may-affect-length-your-relationship

[Aetumn]

It's just brainwashing. Not something you can simply 'get over'. When you see or hear a message, over and over and over again, your brain eventually stops any kind of rational consideration and just goes along with it.

That's how commercials work. That's how slogans work. They don't have to prove anything, they just need to repeat themselve long enough for you to believe them.

So yes, if you keep seeing anorexic mannequins and photoshopped girls on every add of every street every day of your life, you're going to start thinking there's something wrong with your body. That 'the normal woman' is what is posted up there.

We can discuss hours on end on whether that's a bad thing by itself; I would say, it causes physical harm, to a portion of the female population that's big enough to keep us from just ignoring it. How many women are obsessed with losing weight? In that number, there will be a portion that will harm itself in order to reach that goal.

So, okay, companies need to make money. But should we risk the health of that many people, just to make money? Really?

[Josht13]

I see ripped guys daily I don't give a shit, it's their problem if they are so affected others aren't.

[Aetumn]

@Josht13 You don't, but I have enough male collegues on the same obsessive line; trying to gain weight, building up, to the point their doctor is telling them it's unhealthy. Women try to lose weight, men try to build muscle, and while this isn't a bad thing in itself, it leads to dangerous behavior, and it's not just a couple of isolated cases.

[Josht13]

I think that's there fault for being dumb enough to fall for it.

[Aetumn]

@Josht13 It isn't stupidity. Brainwashing is a lot more complex than just awareness that it's taking place. That's why you still favor the brands you know over the ones you never heard of. Because "you're too dumb to make the informed decision"? No, because you go for what's familiar.

And then, big question, should we let stupid people get what they deserve? Not treat smokers because they smoke, etc?

[Josht13]

Yes fuck em. I favor literally no brand other than maybe Nvidia but that's because their products are the best.

[Aetumn]

@Josht13 well that's a sad opinion. Good luck in life, then, you're probably going to need it -_-

[fabulouspancakes]

So this basically boils down to "people should just get over it." Not very good support for "why photoshopping models ISN'T A BAD THING," imho. "Why photoshopping models shouldn't be banned," maybe, but that's not the title.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think photoshopping models should be illegal, and I can see how editing photos has legitimate purposes... like adjusting colors/lighting, removing a temporary blemish like a large pimple or sunburn, etc. But do companies really need to photoshop already thin, gorgeous models into unnaturally smooth-skinned alien stick figures? The success Aerie has experienced since they stopped photoshopping their models suggests that they don't. I know when I'm shopping, I'd rather see the clothes on someone who vaguely resembles me, or at least a human being.

Yes, kids need to be educated. We can't depend on media to always be a good role model, obviously, and parents shouldn't let media raise their kids. But there's really no decent argument to be made for why companies SHOULD photoshop their models. So instead of making excuses, why not encourage companies to make better choices?

[Josht13]

gotta rake in the clickbait tho, for the comp.

[meowcow]

The bigger question is whether the public wants the government to ban things that are considered within the realm of free speech and freedom of expression.

If the public is already well aware that all pictures in magazines and other media are photoshopped, and they still choose to consume, buy or utilize that media, that is one's CHOICE to do so. If you don't support photoshopped models, don't buy their products. Simple as that.

Fortunately, the CHOICE is to use or refuse such media is a freedom we enjoy in the western world. To ban the use of PS on models is a broad definition. Where does it stop? Does it become illegal for the average joe like you and me to photoshop your own images? Because when you post that online, it becomes the same form of media consumed by others.

Now think about that for a second... does it seem at all reasonable or legal for the government from banning you from altering your own images? Aren't you really asking for the government to ban your freedom of expression if you do? Because that's really what you're asking for if you support banning PS on models. You can't apply such a ban exclusively to mass media, and then conveniently exclude yourself, non-models, non-professionals from doing it. I've seen hundreds of Youtubers, Twitterers, Instagram personalities photoshop their own images. That would essentially become illegal.

This is similar to New York's failed attempt to ban "extra large soft drinks" from fast food outlets. Getting an extra large Coke is your choice. The gov't has no business banning a person from ordering an extra large soda, nor do they have any business banning you, or any other entity from photoshopping images as they choose to. Whether that photoshopping is intended to make a woman look like a scrawny twig, or a slice of pizza.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j656_RiO0k

[BuchitaBuchys]

Isn't photoshopping like false advertisement though?

I do agree that we should educate people to know that obviously those are fake images.
But there are negative effects too. Like a lot of the male users here, and elsewhere on the internet are shocked to see what ACTUAL faces without makeup look. I cannot count how many pics I've shown guys and they're like "see, she's pretty and natural." And I'm like "she's got eyeliner and lip tint".
Or, they don't realize how much boobs sag. Yes, even small A cup have some sag, they're not perfectly perky or spherical.
And don't get me started on cellulite and stretch marks.

[Gommers]

All advertisment is false

[BuchitaBuchys]

@Gommers ok

[Night-cuck]

tbh pretty much all advertisments are the best possible version of the product.

[BuchitaBuchys]

@Night-cuck people are products now? :/

[Night-cuck]

Oh yes and they always have been for big companies you use people to advertise your product and in some cases for beauty products how good the person looks shows your product off.

[BuchitaBuchys]

@Night-cuck I'd disagree but ok.
Are you the writer of this take with a different account?

[Night-cuck]

Yeah winterfella is inactive for having multiple accounts but this is my only one left so don't tell the mods to ban me again.

[BuchitaBuchys]

@Night-cuck I won't lol

[popsickle]

Some photo shopping can be fine, but too much... since when is too much of anything good? I 100% agree there should be simultaneous teaching of people to not take it as seriously, but we have to be practical. People are taking it seriously and it has a real impact. In the past, celebrities were recognized to be larger than life and no one was really compared to them. We've to the point where fake images flash us everywhere from really young. I don't see a need to excuse businesses so much. They're still making money. Just because they make money that way doesn't make it okay. The customers pay for it, so they have a right to be well informed. Sometimes they certainly take advantage of their naive audience and thats not cool either.

[Night-cuck]

it's the audience's problem that they are naive whenever I see a ripped guy who's unattainable fit I legit don't care people need to stop comparing themselves and stop giving a shit if someone looks better than they do, I genuinely think it's the persons fault for letting it affect the,.

[popsickle]

@Night-cuck im talking about companies selling products via false advertising

[Night-cuck]

I'm still on the fence whether it's false advertising there are people that look like that or at least can.

[AleDeEurope]

I think instead of focusing on telling ad companies to stop photoshoping their models, or choosing skinny models, we should teach our daughters, sisters, nieces, friends... to stop caring about those things and to stop believing everything they see in the media, that just because a skinny woman is in the cover of a magazine, doesn't mean that's the ideal body.
We put so much effort on complaining about what an ad company should and shouldn't do, instead of educating girls.

Seriously, people, everything that appears in the media isn't a reflection of society, stop being so stupid and naive.

[shadowlegend]

On one hand you're saying people shouldn't take the media seriously, and on the other hand society is told specifically to look to the media for factual information to inform them how to live their lives, so, telling the people not to take the media seriously would cause huge problems, instead the specific campaigns or images like that above are banned because that doesn't destroy the integrity of mass media ( aka they can't tell people not to take one aspect of media seriously unless they are comfortable questioning all media, which the government and private investors don't want).

[Cccgala]

Your myTake is awfully one-sided but I see your point. Who said it was bad in the first place? If it benefits photography companies and models in sales and demand, then I don't see why it's bad to do so. Good for them. They can use Photoshop as they please.

The implication of these Photoshopped models in the society makes it bad. It's media and the majority who subscribe to media commonly does not conform with the lifestyles they present. The fact that these models are frequently showcased implies 'ideals' in terms of body build. It simply brainwashes the minds of women-- young or old.

[Night-cuck]

I have seen lots of petitions to ban it and the city of London has done it basically so that's why I titled it bad.

[Cccgala]

@Night-cuck I see.
Wait, you're Winterfella?

[Night-cuck]

I uh could be...

[Cccgala]

@Night-cuck "I titled it bad"
Anyways, your Take has a point 👍

[somebodysaycheese]

lol, why glorify photoshopped bodies and people who have fake parts? Noone is born hating their body but taught. So when you have women with fake bodies , men being named " Women of the year". That sends the message that self hate is beautiful, changing the way your born is beautiful vs being natural. This is a very confused mytake.

[Anonymous]

I'm not bothered by these models being photoshopped, but misleading someone with their appearance is counterproductive. It's not helping the person they're trying to attract, let alone themselves.

It's like when people use misleading pics and info on their dating sites and a person might be attracted to what's on the misleading person's profile but then find out they're full of shit when meeting them in person.

It aesthetically boosts someone's ego to use misleading pictures and get told they're cute for what they're pretending to be, only to be shut down when others discover the reality.

[NearlyNapping]

I do agree that we need to teach children that what they see in media is not realistic. But on the other hand, if there is nothing wrong with photoshopping, why do we need to teach our children about it?

How do we simultaneously teach kids that photoshopping is OK, but it's not OK? Because no matter which words we use, that's what it amounts to. So the kid asks, "If the pictures aren't real, then why do they do it?" How will you answer? Because they look better?

[Bandit74]

As much as I love seeing hot girls in sexually suggestive photoshoots I do think it is bad. It skews our perception of average and causes us to be less satisfied with real people and makes us desire unattainable ideals of beauty in both ourselves and our partners. So I do think we would potentially be happier if we weren't bombarded with all this visual stimuli of really hot people.

It's unlikely to change so I suppose my opinion doesn't matter tho.

[adrianalima0]

Exactly

[Bandit74]

@adrianalima0
Well adriana lima is part of the problem 🙈

[99percentangel]

Eh I don't have a huge problem with photoshop but some girls go way over the top with it and that's just fake.

[Kuraj]

Dunno about this.
I personally just don't see the point in editing of promotional pictures.
I'm not going to whine about it, but I'm going to question the purpose especially if the end result is to look as extremely unrealistic as the picture above.

But at the same time, everybody knows that illustrative art on food packaging never looks like reality, not sure why people would consider these kinds of photos any less fake and misleading.

[thatkaruguy]

photoshopping is just to make people look more attractive. no one expects you to look like someone on these magazines. men get photoshopped on these do but you dont see them crying and going crazy over it.

[adrianalima0]

Women don't put as much pressure on men to look perfect like men do to women. That is indisputable.

[thatkaruguy]

@adrianalima0 incorrect its women that are putting pressure on women to look crazy good it always has been. most guys dont give a fuck as long as you look nice to them

[adrianalima0]

I guess I shouldn't generalize since not all men are the same :)

[This_is_my_username]

WTF its pretty much false advertisement. Plus, the woman looked better before they put their grubby photo-shopping hands on her.

[Josht13]

pretty much every company does that those mcdonalds burgers definitely don't look that and looks are subjective in my opinion she does look better on the right.

[BaileyisDarcy]

@Josht13 looks the exact same to me with just a slight undefined air of fake on the right.

But then again Im shit for noticing differences in people inless they change their hair.

[bluenose1872]

Sounds like jealousy doesn't it. I see photoshopped guys all the time on billboards and in magazines and it doesn't bother me. Im a bit more humble than to think anybody more attractive than me must have an artificial advantage

[Night-cuck]

I feel like guys aspire to be like people at the top, girls want to be considered at the top where they are.

[Helloooooo16]

Whole from a business view it could be a good thing, we are actually conforming minds to believe that beauty like that can be unachievable, creating a lower self esteem and higher rate of suicidal thoughts. Photo shopping is a lie to all teens and if we stopped photo shopping, then we can confirm our minds back to real beauty.

[Night-cuck]

if we did that they'd probably make models have even better standards then the anorexia of models would be more rampant they do this so they can hire all types of models so it's cheaper.

[Vnmcisachangedman]

Lol if u think girls get insecure, even the ugliest girls aged 12-25 spend majority of their time going on Instagram of the best looking dudes and brainwashed into believing they are super attractive. Unrealistic standards are for men, just something people don't say but the truth 😂😂😂