Photoshopping affects on Image, Identify, and Esteem
My Personal thoughts:
Hey everyone,
Due to my major (Marketing) I feel like I may have a much different stance than many of you on this issue of Photoshopping's effect on one's body image, personal identity, and self-esteem. You have been warned...
First off, regarding body image, I find that many people view such photoshopped images all too seriously. The women in the video we all watched all had a reality check after having the process preformed on themselves. They saw a different person from themselves, albeit somewhat similar, staring back at them. One's body image is never going to be perfect, flaws persist throughout all types, shapes, and sizes. But not realizing that what we view as pleasant, perfectly curved and balanced bodies, is what attracts us to such images and why they are even used for advertisements. Just look at the body image of a burger for a burger king ad and compare it to the real thing, of course it looks significantly different, yet we rarely complain about such trivial matters. This is not so much an issue as much as our own insecurity with either our own body image or that of what society photoshops as ideal. Yes, it is unrealistic, but nobody wants to see something less than perfect in an Ad so that some people don't get offended. We are all rational, smart individuals. Putting your best foot forward is common practice and we shouldn't view our body image any less for what companies project via models on Ads.
Second, regarding personal identity, I know a few models around Boston and none of them feel any less who they are because they can be made up to look more beautiful via photoshop. Same should go for "regular" people, as if there is a difference. Everyone has parts of themselves they wish they could change. Many people even go to such an extent to get surgery or botox to become more like that person they imagine themselves to be. Even more opt for makeup to cover-up what imperfections they would like to hide. By no means am I saying any of this is intrinsically wrong, it just shouldn't become such an important part of your life that it takes away from your time living your life. No, you shouldn't spend over an hour putting on make-up in the morning and elective surgery for that Brazilian Butt Lift is most likely a horrible idea, yet some people find these things necessary to become more like they want to be. Its quite similar to tattoos and clothing, it is a way to display one's personal identity and just because a program can make still moments of you perfect does not mean you should stop living life in full speed.
Finally, in regard to self-esteem, this is of course a much deeper issue that men and women can both find issue with regarding photoshop. More than likely, you don't look like the women in SI's Swimsuit edition or the guys in the Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue, AND WHO CARES! If you like aspects of their images do your best to work towards that, but those images are on an inhuman level that is not only impossible but unreasonable. One's self esteem should not be affected by such imagery, but unfortunately many younger demographics are. To this extent I do see the impending issue as eating disorders rise in this country's youth populations. All I can see to fix this is for proper education of these programs to be instituted at a younger age so that they can immediately identify such manipulations in photographs and not be so easily convinced of their genuineness. I believe this would be much more effective than an * denoting that the image has been indeed photoshopped as the giant blowback from advertisers and the lack of actual recognition of such symbols would offset any possible gains.
Below is a video I found that is much like a famous Dove video but regarding men...
My Responses to others:
To Caroline:
While I do agree with your points regarding our consumer culture leading us to emulate an unobtainable image, I do think that it is more of an issue of how we personally view ourselves regardless of the fact that such images exist.
If we all started off with high self esteem and promoted such, these manipulated images wouldn't be able to have the effect they currently can and do. Unfortunately, we are beaten up in our self image from a young age and in our vulnerable state these fantastical images have a steadfast hold upon our ideas of image and beauty.
I feel that photoshop is just a symptom of a much greater society trend where in we engage in such consumption of everything around us that it inevitably leads to a sort of self consumption and personal guilt for ones body when their are certain society factors that are being overlooked.
Great video, I too am worried for the younger populations in regard to this issue.
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