Digital Manipulation of photographs (Or Photoshop to you and me)

Digital Manipulation of photographs - I read with interest an article in the UK's Guardian newspaper about a L'Oreal advert (two in fact) that had been banned by the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).  The full article can be found here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011/jul/27/loreal-julia-roberts-ad-banned Photoshopping of photographs is fine in moderation and for personal use - using them to manipulate the impression that a product or service is better than it is in real life is another thing. If L'oreal can be banned should we not think about banning other forms of mis-leading advertisements such as those used by wedding photographers that show brides with perfect skin, perfect teeth, perfect waists etc.  It is false advertising - creating an impression that is an untruth. I would hazard a guess that 90% of the images used by a not inconsiderable proportion of wedding photographers are touched up in all sorts of ways to give YOU the viewer and purchaser a false impression. Put it another way. Do you want your 14 year daughter thinking that she has to diet herself to a size Zero (or worse) because she saw mummy's wedding photos and didn't realise that Photoshop has a tool (called Liquify) that can give you an ultra slim waist? It creates a totally false impression. I love my work and love being part of a brides big day. But as they all know I will not Photoshop more than a few stress spots, soften (not remove) the odd crows feet lines, soften (not remove) a little bit of left over weight after childbirth. The average size in the UK for women is around 16 (sources vary). Love yourself enough to be who you are - you will look gorgeous on your wedding day! Some other articles related to Photoshop-ing for you: France Proposes Health Warning on Photoshop-ed Images British Lawmakers Take Stand Against Photoshop I'm not saying that you shouldn't Photoshop - I'm saying you should be open and honest about telling people you have Photoshop-ed images.

Last Thought

Would you think that a car advertised in a car magazine should truly resemble the real thing or would you prefer your car adverts to be photoshop-ed so you don't know exactly what your buying?