Thursday, July 28, 2011

College-Style

College-Style

Weighing in on the Issue: Magazine Airbrushing and Unattainable “Ideals”

Posted: 27 Jul 2011 11:11 AM PDT

By Megan R of George Brown College. Follow me @meggles_07

Everyday we flip through magazines and see photo after photo of stunning people posing for advertisements, begging us to buy what they have for sale.  Airbrushing and photo-shopping images is nothing new to the industry, however, now it’s getting more popula and every image is expected to be airbrushed. This trend affects young girls the most; they look up to role models on the covers of magazines and strive to be just like them: just as successful, just as talented, and just as beautiful. Unfortunately, they don’t see what happens behind the closed doors of the editing room, models are being digitally altered to look toned, tanned, and trim. So, should magazines disclose the information as to what photos have been retouched?

Photo Credit

Kim Kardashian in the picture above is shown before and after image retouching. While she is stunning in both photos, you can see the lightening of her skin, removal of cellulite, and reduction of the waistline. Another comparison, is the one shown below of Jessica Alba.

Photo Credit

Also beautiful in both pictures, here you can see the waistline reduction again, colour enhancement, and the breasts have been enlarged slightly. When you look at the side-by-side comparison of the photos, you can see the differences easily.

When young girls see these pictures, they think the celebrity looks like that everyday. They assume that magaziune models and cover celebrities have no cellulite, have small waists and have the “perfect” figure. Girls immediately compare their own figures to the ones they see in magazines. Figures that are fake.  If magazines start disclosing the information of what photos have been retouched on the page, similar to the way mascara commercials note that they have been filmed with lash inserts, girls will be able to know that this isn’t what celebrities look like. Magazines, along with television, have heavily influenced girls opinions of their own bodies, and some have even gone to the extent to lose weight (not always the safe way either) to try and reach an unattainable body image.

Barbie is another example of an unattainable ideal. Barbie served as a role model for a lot of us. She had great qualities: withholding many careers that most of us dream to obtain still to this day and of course, she is beautiful, however, with her measurements, she poses a dangerous threat if not explained properly to young girls. Combined with the effects that TV and magazines have on body image, Barbie’s measurements are just another thing to add to the list of  negative influences that contribute to an ever-growing trend of bulimia, anorexia, and low self esteem among women. If Barbie’s proportions were placed on a real life woman, that woman would weigh in at roughly 100 lb., with a 5′9″ – 7′2″ height, size 3 foot, and measurements of 40″ bust, 22″ waist, and 36″ hips. To put that into perspective, the average American woman measures in at around 5′4″, 164 lb., and  a 38″ bust, 34″ waist, and 43″ hips.

Photo Credit

So, personally I think that magazines should disclose the information on which photos have been retouched, so that the general public knows that  people don’t look like this, and that most people will never look like this. I worry about young girls thinking this is what they are meant to look like, then assume there is something wrong with themselves and try to change. I just want people to know; I have nothing against celebrities or models, I know that many are going without makeup and retouching photos so that the world can see them for who they really are, and not their retouched selves. I love this concept, and I hope for a day when that is all we see. Everyone is beautiful no matter their shape or size. Personally, I love my body, but I know not everyone feels the same way and I want people to embrace what they have, love their curves, and not strive for something completely unattainable like the photos you see in magazines.

Thoughts?

So, what do you think? Do you think that magazines should disclose the information on photo retouching? Should Barbie’s proportions be reconsidered? What do you think about the “Unattainable Ideals” that are portrayed in the media today? Comment below and let us know what you think; we always love to hear your thoughts and opinions!

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