Photoshop's Impact On Women

Dannella Laury
dl783619@ohio.edu

Whether we like it or not, the media and advertising influence our society. An advertiser’s purpose is to sell products; by showing consumers images of what we should ideally look like, and what everyone should strive to be. The problem with advertising is that most of the images are unrealistic of what the average person looks like.

One of the unethical problems we face in society is the way advertisement portrays women’s bodies. This issue is because of photo manipulation, also called photoshopping, which is very common in advertising. Unlike journalism, advertising can sometimes portray images that do not have to be truthful.

Picture source: www.usmagazine.com

                                                                          

Who's to Blame?

Most of the pictures we see in the magazine have been retouched and edited. The problem is that these magazines are editing models to make them look thinner, flawless and unrealistic.

Many people blame the fashion and modeling industry for the photoshopping of images, which have created a problem with women and girls in our society. For many women and teenage girls, the effects of seeing photoshopped models have led to problems with body image.

The media also have played a role in what we view as the ideal weight for women, thus creating pressures on women to be that ideal. 

 

"Photoshop Free Movement"

 

In 2011, the American Medical Association spoke out about how photoshopping has a negative effect on women’s body image, stating “advertisers commonly alter photographs to enhance the appearance of models’ bodies, and such alterations can contribute to unrealistic expectations of appropriate body image.” This problem can lead to physical, emotional, and eating disorders.

Some brands are pushing back on using Photoshop images of models in their advertisements. In  2017, Teen Vogue website listing the brands who started a “Photoshop free movement ad campaign.” Some of the popular companies were Target and Dove; the idea behind these natural ad campaigns was to promote a positive body.

"Photoshopping Real Women Into Cover Models"

What is interesting about this video is that these women came in having issues with some of their beauty imperfections. However, after seeing their photoshopped image, they realized some of what society deems as imperfections are things, they liked about themselves. Another thing about this video is these women realize that a lot of the beauty standards that are being put on women are not idealistic.

Unfortunately, as women, we often compare ourselves with the women in these advertisements; the promoting of unrealistic women’s bodies leads to an absurd amount of pressure on women and girls.