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”.
