Photoshop Fun

[daphnep]

Jezebel.com commented on both of these things, but I want to draw them together in one place just to contrast them.

First of all, we have the Super-Photoshopped version of Michelle Obama on the cover of Good Housekeeping Magazine.

Then we have Marie Claire Magazine showing Jessica Simpson and bragging about "No makeup, no retouching!" Fascinating that these come out in the very same month. Interesting to see the two side by side.

One more of Jessica, just because I think she looks really good, this way. Of course, this still isn't "nature". It's all art, remember: the photographer, the designer, the editors--these images still came through layers and layers of "image-making process". But they're nice to see.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Comments

[ernunnos.livejournal.com]

Beautiful young women are young and beautiful. The whole process starts with the selection of a model.

If makeup and retouching are so bad*, where would that leave the other 99% of the population? Humans are tool users. Other animals have to live with their genetics. We can fill in our flaws with tools. Those tools can also be misused, but for the most part, they raise the average quality of life.

* And I know that is not your argument.

[daphnep.livejournal.com]

I, for one, happen to love those tools. I like to be able to acknowledge them as tools, because of the artistry of it.

No outrage on my behalf over either cover...I think they're both a lot of fun to look at.

[ernunnos.livejournal.com]

I'll disagree with you there. Michelle's just frightening. Definitely an example of a tool misused.

[daphnep.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but it's sort of a lesson in how to overdo things. Or how we're so used to "overdone" that "overdone" slips through as "normal." Like Bratz dolls. (Yes, I know I've mentioned those before. Bratz dolls fascinate me.)

I guess, yeah, if I was Michelle, I'd be pissed, but there are enough terrible representations of her around--like charicatured tee-shirts--that she's gotta be used to it by now.