Criticism of photoshopping not necessarily deserved

By Ellen Kim     2/4/10 6:00pm

In the past couple of months, I've noticed some revived controversy over the editing of photos of models and celebrities. Of course, the concept and exploitation of photo manipulation is nothing new. The discussion has been in vogue for years, but it goes back even further than simply the invention of Photoshop - Stalin removed people from pictures when they got on his bad side, and even Mussolini edited out his horse handler to appear more imposing. Today, when photo manipulation, more commonly referred to as "photoshopping," is mentioned, fashion, magazines and perhaps even Facebook photos may come to mind. Apart from the general applications of photoshopping, such as inserting colorful backgrounds or textures, many often resort to tweaking pictures for purely aesthetic reasons. With programs ranging from user-friendly editors to professional software, the ability to create and convincingly enhance images has become prolific in our society, both commercially and personally. But to what extent are we willing to accept this warped image?

A couple of years ago, my dad brought back an armful of photos that he had developed at his friend's store - the stock for what would represent the biannual Kim family vacation pictures. Before I go on, you must understand that these photos are a big deal. We review them carefully and select the best to make a giant photo collage, which is later hung in the hallway upstairs. The family's growth is noted every year, and looking back on these time capsules is the perfect way to appreciate time spent with loved ones.

I was surprised, however, to find that every one of the photos my dad brought home had been retouched. Shots that normally would have been discarded were saved, facial blemishes miraculously erased. At first, I was grateful that the scattered acne scars and red spots were airbrushed and covered. After all, when you've been putting up with acne for several years, the last thing you want is to remind yourself of it with a bad photo.

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But the second feeling that shook me was not one of relief. I found myself slightly offended and incredibly self-conscious. Did this person find the need to "fix" my face? Were the blemishes really that severe?

A couple of years have passed since then, and now I'm the one touching up my photos. I don't do this very often, but it is pretty satisfying to "fix" something undesirable instantaneously. By brightening a photo, you can easily blur uneven colorations. A few clicks of the "burn" tool will darken your eyes enough to make them stand out. Some people may consider this superficial, but I enjoy looking good in my photos, regardless of their authenticity. For me, simple photo editing has been a vicarious way of controlling how I can look, since real life results are slow and inconsistent. It's like makeup for your photos.

Of course, I won't be sitting at my laptop trying to reconstruct my face. In fact, the key to editing photos effectively, in my opinion, is keeping much of the actual image untouched. I don't want to look like another person. I want to look like me - minus the blemishes and plus the eyeball that got blocked out by the reflection of my glasses. I suppose by other standards, however, this would not count as real "editing."

However, the argument against the over-manipulation of photos, especially in the fashion industry, has some strong points. Many critics reason that manipulating the figures of models to portray an unnatural - and sometimes ridiculous - image is socially unhealthy. Creating a completely different look, from the color of one's hair to the elongation of the body, is very possible with the available technology. In fact, everyday, people are bombarded with a standard of beauty that may not even exist.

I know some of us - myself included - look through magazines, knowing full well that companies are trying to fool us. Yet, after gaping at flawless legs and shiny lips, I can't deny that I feel less confident about my own image. Strangely enough, however, the pragmatist in me cannot criticize the advertisements. Why? Because the purpose of enhancing photos is precisely to elicit that response and propel the viewers to buy the product. To achieve that end, even pictures of the most successful and attractive models and celebrities are photoshopped too.

On one hand, I agree that doctoring photos often yields negative consequences. But I also find it somewhat empowering. Extensively or minimally, you can alter a photo to appear any way you want, often for artistic effect. There's no real harm in editing your photos for family albums, Facebook profiles and desktop wallpapers. You shouldn't, however, confuse your real-life look with your photoshopped image. Likewise, don't confuse others with their Facebook photos either. Think of photoshopping as a fun exercise rather than something you depend on.

I know how annoying it is when photos don't come out the way they're supposed to. But you don't need me to tell you that the best photos are the ones that don't need to be edited at all.

Ellen Kim is a Sid Richardson College freshman.

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