If you've read my blog before, you will know I like to put
my two pence in when it comes to current topics that relate to body image. And
the recent images published of Keira Knightley and Kim Kardashian West have got
me thinking... should it be declared when Photoshop (or any other image editing
software) has been used to alter someone's appearance?
Keira Knightley's photo shoot involved her appearing topless
for Interview magazine and she only
agreed to do so if her chest was left unaltered. The result was an
absolutely fabulous black and white shot of her, bearing her small, uneven
breasts to the world. I think this is a very brave and inspirational statement. It tells the world that beauty does not need Photoshop to exist and we are perfect as we are.
“It does feel important to say it really doesn’t matter what
shape you are. I think women’s bodies are a battleground and photography is
partly to blame. Our society is so photographic now, it becomes more difficult
to see all of those different varieties of shape.”- Keira Knightley
(image and quote
source: http://www.thespreadit.com/knightley-defends-shoot-actress-keira-knightley-slams-36122/)
Not long after the image circulated, Kim Kardashian West
'Broke the Internet' after photos from her shoot with Paper Magazine burst onto
the scene. Three images were released; one of her balancing a champagne glass
on her behind, another where she reveals her famous backside and the final one
was of her completely in the nude. Wow. These photos then (obviously) triggered
a MASSIVE response on social media. Some were in awe of her and others were
straight to criticising her. Personally, I'm not a fan or follower of Mrs.
Kardashian West, but if a woman wants to show off her body in what seems to be
a tasteful and artistic fashion shoot, then let her!
But I'm diverging
from the point I want to make, so let's ignore the praise and criticism she received
(I'm sure you'll easily find another report or post on it if you want to know
more).It's the question of whether the images have been doctored or not that I want
to talk about. It's been confirmed that the one involving the champagne glass
HAS been photoshopped. No surprise there. But there's yet to be anything said
regarding whether photoshop has been used for the other images.
(Images source: https://uk.celebrity.yahoo.com/gossip/omg/kim-kardashian-s--breaktheinternet-was-photoshopped--paper-editor-confirms-it-220333201.html)
Looking at the one where she shows off her backside, I personally
think it has been altered. The waist to ass ratio seems far too unrealistic to
me. However, it's not always so easy to tell when someone has been changed,
whether their waist has been made smaller, arms or legs and been made slimmer,
legs longer, bust larger...
The models and celebrities in the magazines, on the
billboards in adverts ARE the women that other women compare themselves to... I
certainly do. I'm wishing to have a body like a certain celebrity when the
celeb themselves doesn't even look like that! Thanks to Photoshop, unnatural
and unattainable bodies are being displayed to us, resulting in huge blows to
self confidence of millions of women!
Now, looking at the other side of the argument, still using
Kim Ks butt pic as the example, I can understand why the image may have been Photoshopped
from an artistic point of view. I studied photography in college, so understand
what goes towards taking the 'perfect' photo and how you use editing software
to emphasize certain areas etc. (to be honest, I've forgotten all the technical
terms). In this case, you are meant to look at Kim's rotund behind, so the
photo has been set up and edited to bring your attention to it as much as possible..
So this made me think... if it is declared in the magazine
or advert that Photoshop has been used to alter someone's body, photographers
would be able to have their artistic freedom without women feeling the need to
compare themselves, as they would know that what is being shown isn't 100%
real. Just like mascara adverts have to say when lash inserts have been used on
the model, so that they cannot be accused of false advertising. Something so
simple, could potentially have a massive impact on self confidence for some
women. I know it wouldn't solve the issue completely, but I think that if women
did stop comparing themselves to the 'perfect' women in magazines. it could be
a major step in the campaign for body confidence. Or here's an even better idea... just ban the use of Photoshop to alter women's bodies in magazines and adverts all together...
What do you think?
Katie x
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