Photoshop Deception

With rising levels of technology, more and more special effects can be added to video and photo, creating increasing opportunities for advertisements, movies, commercials, and other elements of media. However, with new opportunities also comes new illusions; with Photoshop, producers have the ability to change images so that they appear different than reality, leading audiences to believe that the deceptive Photoshopped images are actually better representations of reality than reality itself.

One common and well-known Photoshop technique is the one used on women in advertisements and magazine covers. In order to portray a “perfect” female body, editors take the photos of the particular model and use Photoshop to enhance breast size, decrease cellulite, and airbrush over any supposed flaws on the model’s face or body. In addition, color variation is added to make the photo appear more intriguing in color contrast. As seen on the Rolling Stone cover, Katy Perry’s breasts have been enhanced and her stomach has been smoothed over. Similarly, an advertisement for one of Khira Knightly’s films shows Khira with enlarged breasts and added hair volume. For more before-and-after Photoshop pictures, view: http://sastha-knowyourledge.blogspot.com/2010/12/celebrities-before-and-after-photoshop.html

Due to the increased levels of Photoshop used in magazines and television, audiences begin believing that the images are actual representations of reality, rather than exaggerated images. As a result, many consumers view their own bodies as inadequate because they are unable to achieve the perfect yet fake bodies of celebrities. This need to become perfect creates a snowballing effect by increasing the consumption of products such as workout systems, hair dyes, makeup, self-tanning lotions, and many more products that are aimed to “improve” one’s image. Images are Photoshopped because that’s what sells, but unfortunately, we as consumers now believe in the “fake” more than the “real”.

The Fandom Trap

After reading about forms of identification and star-audience relations from Jackie Stacey’s article, I thought about how much I truly looked up to celebrities and tried to copy them when I was a young girl. I dressed up like a ballerina after reading Angelina Ballerina and I played hopscotch on the sidewalk because that’s what the children did in Sesame Street. One film that particularly changed my “eight-year old life” was The Parent Trap, a 1998 film starring Lindsay Lohan.

Hallie Parker, one of the main characters in The Parent Trap (, played by Lindsay Lohan,) is portrayed as the “cool sister” when compared to her proper English twin, Annie James. Hallie wears jean jackets, has pierced ears, wears stylish sunglasses, and has an overall sense of confidence throughout the film. After watching this, my eight-year old self wanted to be just like her, so I began transforming my appearance and trying to act like her because I identified with her character and wanted to become just like her. As a result, I began to resemble Hallie by wearing similar clothing and dressing in what I thought was vogue (, for a second-grader at least). I also imitated much of what she did physically, by getting my ears pierced and cutting my bangs to fall past my eyes ever so slightly. Not only did I resemble the character of Hallie Parker in my newly-found confidence, but I also managed to look much like her as much as I could through my physical changes by my hair and ears. At the time, I did not think much of what I did, yet looking back on my year in the second grade, I realize much of what I did and how I dressed during that time was very much a result of The Parent Trap, and therefore a reflection of media identification.

I'm not Lov'n It

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBuKuA9nHsw

In the following commercial, McDonalds depicts a scene in which a father and his recently graduated son are at McDonalds; As the father orders food, his son is speaking on the phone with another male friend, who audience may suspect to actually be his boyfriend by the way in which the main character speaks softly to his “friend” on the receiving line. They discuss their class photo but the call is cut short because the father comes back to the table with the food. The father then remarks, (, in reference to the class photo,) “Too bad your class is all boys, you could get all the girls.” His son smiles and a calm moment follows, leaving the audience to believe that the son will soon tell his father that he is actually gay. As the camera reels out, the scene reveals a relaxing, sunlit McDonalds while inspiring music plays in the background. The commercial then closes with McDonald’s French logo, “Commez vous commes êtes” (Come as you are).

Although this scene raises gay awareness and creates a heartfelt sensation, it presents McDonalds in quite a skewed fashion. Rather than being a welcoming place for serious discussions and sexual diversity, McDonalds is usually a better atmosphere for hungry families looking for a quick meal or screaming children who would rather play at the McDonalds PlayPlace than take a bite of their not-so-Happy Meals. As the screen pans out, the audience is shown a clean, kid-free McDonalds with an employee walking through the restaurant to check on customers. Does this really happen? I think no

In addition to creating a false atmosphere for McDonalds, this commercial fails to advertise any part of the food that the restaurant offers OR the cheap prices at which consumers can buy meals – the two typical selling points for McDonalds. While this scene certainly raises awareness for sexual diversity, it does little to advertise the restaurant because it creates a false and misleading atmosphere and fails to mention the services offered.

Sun-Kissed Obsession

Whether it be in television advertisements, magazine covers, or high fashion websites, Caucasian models constantly present a perfectly tan and sun-kissed look. In many cases, models are required to tan before photo shoots, and even after the photographs are taken, editors airbrush the images to create an even richer tan appearance. According to mass media, tan is the new “beautiful”, while fair skinned models appear sick or depressed (as in my example photo to the left). Even in a Jergens' self-tanning commercial, the narrator comments that by using the self-tanning lotion, “you [the consumer] can put your best skin out there”, implying that without a tan appearance, a woman’s skin cannot truly be at its best. As a result, a large majority of Caucasian females feel that they need to have tan skin in order to appear beautiful, thus leading to the constant increase in tanning booths and self-tanning products across the United States.

Why is tan deemed as beautiful? Why can’t fair skin also be beautiful, as it once was in past centuries? As a French-Irish American, I have fair skin year-long, including the summer months. Growing up in my teen years, I constantly bought self-tanning lotions to “fix” my skin, and it was not until recently that I realized the absurdity of this action. I have finally accepted my fair skin and have grown to love it, although I am disappointed that it is still not widely accepted as beautiful in the mass media.

Jergens Commercial Link: Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67qGSr8TU-8

She certainly doesn’t have the vocal chords of Christina Aguilara or Beyoncé , nor does she have the spontaneous, new age creativity of idols such as Lady Gaga. However, she does have one thing that many current artists lack: the ability to communicate through lyrics and truly connect to the audience. Who is she? Taylor Swift.

Time and time again, critics shut down Taylor Swift, claiming that she can’t sing. True, she may not have the best voice nor is she the best live performer. Nevertheless, her ability to connect with her audience (preteen-young adult females) and truly relate to them has surpassed all other artists of the decade. She writes all of her own lyrics and music, a skill that many singers cannot claim, plays either piano and guitar in all of her songs, and puts every piece of her heart into each of her songs, even using real names of people that have impacted her lift. This fearlessness continues to impress me; in a world where stars are constantly shot down by the media and analyzed according to the paparazzi’s viewpoint, Swift continues to maintain her own musical style and originality despite negative any negative feedback.

In addition to her down-to-earth lyrics and simple melodies, Taylor Swift has managed to “keep it real” and stay out of trouble from clubs, drugs, and many other side-effects of young stardom. In a time when Lindsay Lohan is constantly in and out of court and Disney stars are taking videos of themselves smoking marijuana (*cough cough* Miley Cyrus), it is certainly refreshing to follow a star who’s able to gain publicity and interviews for her achievements rather than her failures.

In a response to critics, Scott Borchetta defends Taylor Swift by writing, “"Maybe she's not the best technical singer, but she's probably the best emotional singer because everybody else who gets up there and is technically perfect, people don't seem to want more of it. ... I think [the critics] are missing the whole voice of a generation that is happening right in front of them. ... She's an extraordinary songwriter and her vocal performances are getting better.” I couldn’t say it any better myself.

Skinny Obsession

Diet Pepsi has recently introduced their new “Diet Pepsi Skinny”, which is a new look for the same drink, the difference being in the size of the can. Unlike previous cans, this new “Skinny” is taller and thinner, which has automatically caused controversy amongst consumers. Many consumers believe that this new can promotes the image of thin women, while the company as well as other consumers argue that the can is simply a new way to fashion the drink. Jill Beraud, the Chief Marketing Office in PepsiCo. states the “slim, attractive new can is the perfect complement to today's most stylish looks… it is a taller, sassier" version of the traditional can that … was made in celebration of beautiful, confident women.” (Beraud). On the flip side, the National Eating Disorders Association has taken offense to the can, arguing that it presents the wrong image to contemporary women, forcing them to believe that “skinny is sexy”.

I can certainly agree with both sides of the arguments. I understand how the new “Skinny” can be viewed as offensive since it does use the word skinny, a typically negative connoted word, in its description. However, I also think that perhaps the National Eating Disorders Association is taking offense more than it should; when it comes down to the basics, it is, after all, a can. There are other controversies in fashion and media that should take precedence over a soda can.

Although I do believe that PepsiCo was not necessarily in the wrong for creating this can, I do believe that they should have named it differently. As I previously stated, the word “skinny” usually has negative, unhealthy connotations; for the most part, society prefers words such as “slim” or “sleek”. In addition, the Skinny Can was created to be a fashionable looking can, rather than to suggest a certain diet (as the soda within the can has not changed). Perhaps the company should have named the can “Sleek Can” in order to avoid such negative criticism while maintaining their initial goal of fashion through aluminum.

Kristin and Robert Sitting in a Tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G

The top story today for People.com is the fact that Kristin Stewart and Robert Patternson were seen kissing in a car – REALLY?! The main gist of the article explained that although Stewart did not join Robert at the red carpet for his latest premiere, “… she certainly seemed to show her support after the party, as the two shared a smooch – and a smile – in a car before speeding off.” (Shira 1) –not exactly the story of the century. Although People.com is not known for educational articles by any means, the articles on People seem to be getting shorter in length and less important in context. In addition, it’s upsetting to see that this story, rather than the film reviews or fashion tips, has received the most hits. Why is the public so obsessed with personal lives of celebrities, in particular, their romantic lives?

Perhaps we (we being the public) obsess over the relationships of A-listers because we crave the so-called perfect relationship that we often see in pictures; we’d love to attend formal parties and club events with our significant others, and since we cannot, we choose to watch the relationships of the stars. Then once the public relationships fall apart, we take comfort in the fact that although A-listers may have everything, they certainly do not always have love. Is this it? Do we soothe our own emotions by bashing the failed relationships of actors?

I find it especially interesting that the American public is so quick to judge A-listers based on their relationships. Many people complain about how celebrities are so bad at maintaining relationships and marriages, but have they ever stepped back to think about why? I believe part of the reason relationships are so difficult to maintain in Hollywood is because the paparazzi, as well as the rest of the country, is constantly watching A-listers’ every move. We analyze every photo and every move that the stars make within their relationships, we tear them apart, judge them, and define them, yet once the relationships falters, we wonder why.

Gilded Butterfly

“We will all laugh at gilded butterflies…” is a quote from Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear (Act V, Scene III). “Gilded” refers to something of little worth that has been coated to appear of higher quality, and in Shakespeare’s case, he uses the term “gilded butterflies” to refer to the people of society who change themselves in order to fit the “ideal image” that society has projected for itself. Ironically, Shakespeare’s quote can be found tattooed on the back shoulder of a well-known Hollywood celebrity and sex icon – Meghan Fox. In reference to her tattoo, Megan said her tattoo reminds her “…to not get too caught up in Hollywood because people will end up laughing at you.”

Fox is a prime example of a person who has transformed herself from a woman to a product, using her body and sexual appeal to acquire publicity, similar to the majority of Hollywood actors (both male and female). Her tattoo is ironic and hypocritical, presenting a message completely different from the message that her body language and attitude present. In addition, Megan got plastic surgery on her breasts, nose, cheeks, eyebrows, and lips – gilded butterfly much? (See my picture for before and after photos.)

Why do celebrities, men and women, feel the need to do this? They create an artificial image by changing their bodies, and on top of that, photographers use photoshop and airbrushes to gloss the images and make them as superficial as possible. Nevertheless, we as consumers still give in to these looks! We want to look exactly like the false images in the magazines and in commercials, even though we are fully aware that the models do not look like that naturally. The cycle will continue unless we begin to remove the makeup, the photoshopping, the airbrushing, and the surgeries.

Media Monster

In the world of music video, Chicago’s own Kanye West has caused quite the stir. West’s new music video “Monster” has been received with equal amounts of disgust and praise. Though many fans and critics have passed this video off as simply a creative and artful expression, I personally detest this video because its objectification of women hits the extreme. In this video, West declares himself a “monster” (hence the title) and proceeds to explain his monster-like habits by depicting rape-and-murder incidents. The video opens with dead women hanging, wearing only heels, and then continues to show West in bed with two dead women (, who he assumingly just had sex with,) re-positioning their bodies as if it were a game. Though feminism has come a long way in the past century, this source of media shows that progress can easily take a step backwards. In addition, despite the fact that laws have been made to equalize women to men, film and television still holds tight to gender stereotypes to create a story or make a statement. What is the purpose of this song? Does Kanye want to display his power through depictions of rape and murder?

West’s shallow rhymes and disgusting scenes, as awful as they may be, have received an extreme amount of publicity, once again putting him on the map to success and re-iterating the fact that America loves gore and sex – or even better, America loves gore and sex combined. When a friend told me about this video, I was absolutely appalled, but I of course ran to my laptop to watch it myself. In this sense, I am a hypocrite to my own complaints. As much as I despise West’s video, I have now joined the masses of audience watching this video and spreading news about it.

video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLnS-2h_nog