Monday, May 23, 2011
Distorted Images in the Media
While reading a case study titled "Visual and Aural Signs" one part stood out reminding me of a video that I watched recently on YouTube. The first section of the case study is about analyzing two photos put together. They refer to the "Hope"poster of President Obama saying that the original photo used for the poster was distorted and edited before creating the poster. Whether it's a profile picture on Facebook, a wedding photo, or a picture in a magazine you can almost guarantee that the photo has been edited in some shape, way or form. The YouTube video that I recently watched was produced by Dove and it was about how much editing images of people go through before being put in magazines and on billboards. In my personal opinion, the distance that the media goes to edit images before they are released is a problem. Dove is a respected company because of its dedication to making women feel beautiful. However, by releasing this video that proves that they edit the photos this much proves that it's not Dove's products that are making women beautiful, it's the computer programs and cameras.
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Did you see the Shephard Fairey show at the ICA a year or so back? Kind of cool to get a broader sense of what he's been up to in his career. (Though I think he got ARRESTED when he was in town--this went back to a guerella sticker action he undertook several years back, and outstanding warrents were called in!)
ReplyDeleteThe blog looks solid--go team!
I completely agree with the idea that too much editing goes on in the media. Although i understand it to a point, a line should be drawn. The other day I was watching the Tyra Show and it was about women's insecurities. Tyra was trying to help women get over their insecurities and believe that they are beautiful. Meanwhile, Tyra stated that she hated her ankles because they are too small. She went on to say that all of her pictures are edited to make her ankles look bigger. If someone like Tyra Banks cannot feel comfortable in her body, then what kind of example does that send the rest of women? This just goes to show that every little detail of someone's body is edited in photos; it's not just the stomach or the butt or the face. Media distortion, or in this case enhancement, has become a little ridiculous in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree, editing is a huge detail to every picture, TV appearance and even Movie screenings. You can take a girl with no makeup and black hairs digitalize the picture, edit and BAM she’s blond with full makeup. The media can be so misleading; to the point where it is brainwashing women and men of all ages into believing all famous people are so called “perfect.” This sets false and dangerous standards for life. Even the dove commercials of the women of all sizes and colors seem edited, they all look airbrushed and as good as they possibly could get. The media is almost creating a new world. As deep as that sounds.
ReplyDeleteThat's definitely an interesting observation. To add to that, I've heard before that it's actually a common marketing tool to intentionally have all of the models of a particular product dolled up and edited to a "perfect" degree. Apparently, many people subconsciously see people they perceive as beautiful and think, "if she is using that product, I should too!" I agree that it is a problem to have so much editing take place, even in model shoots, before photos or videos are released because we seem to lose natural beauty.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to note from my international experiences, it seems many Japanese people who are often exposed to Western media and advertisements, complete with the edits and airbrushing, come to believe that Americans walking the streets all look like top class Hollywood stars. I kind of diverged a bit from your original point there.
I think it's ridiculous how much time and energy is spent on editing and photoshopping photos for magazines, ads, commercials, etc. However as a model myself, I understand why photoshopping is so important for advertising purposes. I mean really, who wants to see someone with a zit promoting an acne product or a girl with cellulite modeling a bikini for Victoria's Secret? I know how arrogant and awful that sounds, but that's reality. It's actually comical for me to see photos of myself that have been photoshopped and airbrushed because often times I don't even look like myself. A photographer edited my picture once, and made my chest about 2 cup sizes bigger and my waist noticeably smaller.
ReplyDeleteAs a young woman seeing images of flawless and by my standards "perfect" models, it's hard not to compare myself to them- even though in am in the business and see firsthand how doctored every image is. Media puts so much emphasis on appearance and plays such a big role in female self esteem and standards of beauty. Girls and women compare themselves to the models they see in magazines and often times feel like they are not pretty or skinny enough- not realizing their own individual beauty.
Another thing that I have seen more and more in the media is the sexualization of girls and females. This obviously isn't a new concept, but more and more I'm seeing young girls (girls 10-14) dressing like they're 25 year olds. The media has totally influenced the way clothing companies market to kids. A friend of mine works at Abercrombie Kids and said that the company is now selling bikinis with pads in them (basically a push-up top). Seriously? How disturbing...This is a store for little kids.
I went off topic too, but I definitely am fascinated and disturbed by how much media creates unrealistic standards and influences how people view themselves as well as others.