Comments on: A Warning Label for Retouched Photos

By: May

May — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:12:50 +0000

I think that’s a fabulous idea! At the very least it’s a start in the right direction and a legal option women can look to in order to help them deal with body issues.

By: Daphne @ Joyful Days

Daphne @ Joyful Days — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:39:18 +0000

I think what would help is a law that the undoctored original should also be published somewhere in the same magazine, perhaps in a thumbsize version on the back cover.

By: BunnygotBlog

BunnygotBlog — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:44:55 +0000

Hi,

I totally agree with the body image issue. I wrote about it myself. The last things young teenage girls need is airbrushed photos influencing their already difficult period of life.

Great article Vered.

By: MomGrind

MomGrind — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 02:34:58 +0000

Kim, what an interesting thought – retouching gadgets to make them look more appealing. I’m sure they retouch to some extent – play with saturation etc. to make it look more appealing. Not the same as lengthening an actress legs, though.

By: Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl

Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:35:47 +0000

I personally think they shouldn’t mess with the photos at all. It’s crazy to see someone on TV and then they’re on a magazine cover and look HALF their real size. It’s ridiculous! I think we should just appreciate whatever figure the models have (or don’t have) and accept that people aren’t “perfect” in any sense and we shouldn’t strive to be stick thin. I think it would change young people’s lives if they could read that disclaimer about the photos being retouched. It would be a breath of fresh air for them to know the people in the photos don’t really look like that. And I believe it would help those will low self-esteem feel MUCH better about themselves.

By: Tess The Bold Life

Tess The Bold Life — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:00:27 +0000

I don’t think education is enough. I believe everyone know this is going on and it’s still effecting the self esteem of even adults. Yes I think it would be great ot put a little note under the photo saying, “Airbrushed! View at your own risk. May cause low self esteem, eating disorders and debt!

By: Kim Woodbridge

Kim Woodbridge — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:02:20 +0000

A disclaimer won’t help. We need to educate our children about this issue and simply not buy the magazines. Now I wonder what they are doing to the photos of the gadgets in Wired to make the products more desirable

By: Squawkfox

Squawkfox — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:50:30 +0000

Fashion and men’s mags should all come with warning labels, period.

Warning: This magazine may rot your brain. Peruse at your own risk.

By: Kathy | Virtual Impax

Kathy | Virtual Impax — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:52:11 +0000

The fact that GQ did the photo shopping is no surprise. The practice of lengthening a model’s legs post shoot is an age old trick performed by almost EVERY “gentlemen’s” magazine. I don’t think it “taints” women’s self esteem as much as it sets the male reader’s expectations to “unrealistic”.

On the other hand, Kelly Clarkson was similarly outraged when her “retouched” photo was featured on the cover of Self magazine. While she was happy with her appearance – the editors felt otherwise and “slimmed” her down considerably. She expressed her outrage over the “photoshopping” but the editors at Self refused to back down.

I used to read Self. The magazine is targeted towards women and claims to encourages women to “reach their all around best.” I’m thrilled that Clarkson made a fuss adn expose the duplicity of Self. It caused me to take a “pass” on reading Self since.

I love the SPIRIT behind the disclaimer. It’s a kind of “truth in advertising”. However, I think the most POWERFUL tool we have is education. Educating young women that what they see on TV and in magazines is a FANTASY and not REALITY is the key. As long as sales rise when editors do this – you’ll have a hard time stopping the practice.

By: MomGrind

MomGrind — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:49:36 +0000

I agree that the most important thing is for parents to educate their kids, especially during the preteen years, when they start to become vulnerable to these messages, but still listen to us.