Beauty Exposé - The LIE Preview

Recently, my husband and I were in need of a second vehicle. We planned to make the purchase after the work day, which I took off from bookings and made it a 'research and prop finding' day, aka I was stuck browsing the mall for the day. (Not complaining!)

As a photographer, I frequently take notice of posters, billboards, advertisements, and especially obvious Photoshop work. I find it intriguing and it feels like a game. I'll even take a pen to a magazine and draw lines where I believe it's been 'airbrushed'.

I feel bad for the shoppers who thought I was crazy yesterday as I scribbled all over Rhianna in the latest Vogue magazine while sipping my latte. Sorry.

So I was quite taken aback when I saw this poster at Walmart.

This game I'd found so intriguing has recently become an aggravating one as I begin to realize that so many women compare themselves to magazine spreads and advertisement images. BUY THIS to help you LOOK LIKE THIS and it's a LIE.

The above photograph at first glance may have even slipped through my filter... then I realized who on earth looks like a Barbie doll in a white t-shirt, I mean, come on, cotton is for comfort! It upset me that someone may believe this image. So I put it on Instagram and Facebook to make my friends and followers aware.

Then I realized that it wasn't enough. It's one thing to say, 'don't compare yourself to this model.' But it brings a whole other reality to see what the model actually looked like and what was all done to her body. Very subtle changes add up to a huge "improvement" in the end image, and some changes are not humanly possible. Like having a head that is bigger than your hips!!

So I decided to recreate the image on my own. The image below shows you my before and after, and below that is a list of changes.

[Photog Note: I used a video instead of a trigger for speed sake. Just a tidbit for anyone who's tried to capture a Selfie in focus with hair moving!! Not the greatest quality, but conveys my thought sufficiently.]

First, I started with the arm and back, because I figured that would be the trickiest part, but it was actually quite simple. Then a tummy tuck and chest pop. For kicks, I slimmed down my hips, trying to get my head bigger than my hips, but it just looked so fake I couldn't show it. So hips slimmed down, but not Barbie size. Lastly, quick jaw surgery (so many images have it) and a tilt to the head to make it more upright.

These changes took less than an hour folks!!!

It is truly amazing what can be accomplished in retouching. Squinty eyes can be opened, 20 lbs can disappear, tan lines erased, Barbie sized hips achieved, ect. So in today's modern age, where is the line? How far is too far? What is beauty then? Is it attainable? And who or what decides who is beautiful?

These are questions I hope to investigate over the next month, and I'd love for some brave ladies to journey with me. Courageous women willing to show their magazine beauty and their natural beauty! I want to photograph you, show you the retouching that would be done to your photo for a magazine spread, and then show you your two looks. If that sounds like you, comment, email, Facebook, CONTACT ME in some way and let's chat!

I would love to know your thoughts on this! Please leave a comment on where you think the line is and what beauty is to you!