Hush hush...
Before the creation of social media and image-hosting sites like Facebook (launched in 2004), Instagram (launched in 2010), and Flickr (launched in 2004), edited images primarily belonged to print texts such as newspapers and magazines. In a society that sought entertainment primarily through traditional mass media, many individuals became disappointed with their bodies after viewing images of thin and seemingly flawless women. Despite more viewers questioning the authenticity of these images in media, the practice of airbrushing became more widespread. Eventually this lead to the claim that mass media produced “unrealistic expectations of beauty in society.”
Research studying the effects on men and women who are exposed to images demonstrating the thin ideal has found that more often than not these pressures imposed by mass media are toxic, essentially leading young men and women to respond with insecurity. Other research, however, finds that sometimes these enhanced images promote motivation. Regardless, the practice of airbrushing continues as an example of artistic freedom on behalf of professionals and amateurs alike.
In 1988, just as personal computers were becoming more widespread in American homes, Adobe introduced Photoshop, which has since become one the most well-known tools for photo manipulations. Coined from the popularity of the program and its mass usage in the publishing industry, the term “Photoshopped” refers to images that have been edited by any image manipulating software. The integration of the term into society’s lexicon is yet another sign of the increased awareness of digital manipulation.
Today, everyday people are becoming the top contributors of enhanced photos. The technology for retouching images is growing exponentially and giving hobbyists and average Americans the ability to digitally alter their images. Contributing to the exponential growth of digital manipulation is both the growth of social media and easy-to-use phone applications such as Facetune, Beauty Mirror, and MoreBeaute2, which only require a few simple clicks to enhance features and remove blemishes. These phone applications allow users to make virtually indistinguishable manipulations without the complexity of professional programs like Photoshop. From family pictures to self-portraits, the everyday person can post his or her perfected images onto social media, presenting themselves as flawless magazine subjects.
Responses to digitally altered images of celebrities and models serve as examples of the mixed reactions regarding the practice of airbrushing . In response to Kim Kardashian's 'Break The Internet' many people brought up the concern of both unrealistic body portrayals and sexualization of women in media. While many scorned Kardashian's photoshoot, others saw no harm in the photos.
On March 27, 2014, in response to the increasing amounts of scrutiny on the representations of women in media, the Truth in Advertising Act of 2014 (H.R.431) was assigned to a congressional committee. The bill was proposed with the purpose of legislating and controlling digital alterations made in print and electronic media for product advertising.
Regardless of the growing accessibility of technology to alter images, there are still advocates and detractors to the practice of excessive airbrushing. More so, there has yet to be much attention focused on self-serving digital manipulation, such as self-portrait digital enhancements, as there has been to leaked before-and-after images of celebrities. When will the controversy over excessive or even minimal airbrushing finally reach the average citizen?
Research studying the effects on men and women who are exposed to images demonstrating the thin ideal has found that more often than not these pressures imposed by mass media are toxic, essentially leading young men and women to respond with insecurity. Other research, however, finds that sometimes these enhanced images promote motivation. Regardless, the practice of airbrushing continues as an example of artistic freedom on behalf of professionals and amateurs alike.
In 1988, just as personal computers were becoming more widespread in American homes, Adobe introduced Photoshop, which has since become one the most well-known tools for photo manipulations. Coined from the popularity of the program and its mass usage in the publishing industry, the term “Photoshopped” refers to images that have been edited by any image manipulating software. The integration of the term into society’s lexicon is yet another sign of the increased awareness of digital manipulation.
Today, everyday people are becoming the top contributors of enhanced photos. The technology for retouching images is growing exponentially and giving hobbyists and average Americans the ability to digitally alter their images. Contributing to the exponential growth of digital manipulation is both the growth of social media and easy-to-use phone applications such as Facetune, Beauty Mirror, and MoreBeaute2, which only require a few simple clicks to enhance features and remove blemishes. These phone applications allow users to make virtually indistinguishable manipulations without the complexity of professional programs like Photoshop. From family pictures to self-portraits, the everyday person can post his or her perfected images onto social media, presenting themselves as flawless magazine subjects.
Responses to digitally altered images of celebrities and models serve as examples of the mixed reactions regarding the practice of airbrushing . In response to Kim Kardashian's 'Break The Internet' many people brought up the concern of both unrealistic body portrayals and sexualization of women in media. While many scorned Kardashian's photoshoot, others saw no harm in the photos.
On March 27, 2014, in response to the increasing amounts of scrutiny on the representations of women in media, the Truth in Advertising Act of 2014 (H.R.431) was assigned to a congressional committee. The bill was proposed with the purpose of legislating and controlling digital alterations made in print and electronic media for product advertising.
Regardless of the growing accessibility of technology to alter images, there are still advocates and detractors to the practice of excessive airbrushing. More so, there has yet to be much attention focused on self-serving digital manipulation, such as self-portrait digital enhancements, as there has been to leaked before-and-after images of celebrities. When will the controversy over excessive or even minimal airbrushing finally reach the average citizen?
This site will explore three different perspectives on digital manipulation in social media.
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