Fashion photographers have always been guilty of applying a little too much airbrush in a bid to make their subjects look as flawless as possible (cosplayers can be even worse). However, you may be surprised by the level of digital manipulation involved in modern images. This astonishing time-lapse video reveals just how crazy Photoshop trickery has become.
The above video was produced by the non-profit crowdsourcing group Global Democracy to demonstrate the most common Photoshop techniques used in the fashion industry prior to the publication of an image. Everything from body weight to eye size has gone under the digital surgeon’s knife. As you can see, her digital transformation is startling — not to mention unattainably perfect.
What was once a normal, healthy looking woman has been moulded into an ethereal vision of plastic Barbie Doll perfection. Is it any wonder that so many woman in the world develop body dysmorphia? The models they are striving to compete with aren’t even real.
Perhaps I’ve been desensitised by the shiny CGI in video games, but the image on the right doesn’t looks that bad to me. In real life it would be freakishly terrifying, but I’m just seeing a comely NPC I want to buy stuff from. Slap some blue on her and she could be from Mass Effect. This probably says something about the objectification of women in gaming. Or maybe I just play too many video games.
Global Democracy is pushing for mandatory disclaimers for digital manipulation in advertising. You can find out more at the GD website.
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