2. 2
Introduction
The ideal body image of women and men has changed frequently through the
years. Currently in America, there is an unobtainable picture of perfection in people’s
minds for women in particular. A thigh gap with large breasts, a big butt with a small
waist, gorgeous flowing hair and perfect skin is considered to be the ideal image for a
woman. The excessive editing in Photoshop of pictures in mainstream media and social
networks only contributes to this harmful ideal. As people and companies become more
aware of this issue, they are realizing just how damaging these ideal stereotypes can be
to young girls and women. Some companies have even begun to take a stand against
photoshopping their models. For example, Aerie, the American Eagle sister store for
lingerie and loungewear, has launched a new campaign to only picture untouched
models because “the real you is sexy,” (Hill, 2014). Picturing flawless women in pictures
has a very real and harmful effect on the self-esteem of women everywhere: the very
people who make up the fashion industry. These unrealistic ideals also contribute to
how women shop and the clothes they purchase. This issue spills into so many areas of
the fashion industry. Fashion should empower women not make them feel like they are
inadequate. The manipulating of women’s bodies in Photoshop is simply damaging to
the self-esteem and confidence of females everywhere.
3. 3
Review of Literature
Just like so many other groundbreaking programs used today, the history of
Photoshop begins in the late 1980s. Developed in 1987, Photoshop was originally a
graphics application wrote by Tom Knoll used to display gray scale images on a
monochrome display (“A Quick History of Photoshop,” 2013). Knoll’s brother John
dabbled in photography, and he encouraged Tom to develop his application into a photo
editing software. Tom tried to name his new software “ImagePro” but the name was
taken, and he chose Photoshop instead. In 1989, Tom sold his software to Adobe, and
through many positive changes, added features, and updates, it has become the widely
used software it is today. Photoshop has become so popular since 1987 that its very
name is synonymous with editing pictures even if Photoshop was not the software used.
Photoshop’s rise to stardom has heavily influenced many parts of our everyday
lives. In particular, it has impacted the consumer. This program has had a major hand in
shaping our perception of beauty and, really, our perception of reality. While altering
women’s bodies skyrocketed with the rise of Photoshop, it was prevalent well before the
1990s. In the 1930s and on, photographers would use a soft focus, among other
techniques, to create a flawless complexion for Hollywood starlets. Pin up girls in the
40s and 50s also represented an unrealistic standard of beauty. They had tiny cinched
waists, large breasts, and perfect faces. Illustrators would often use real models to draw
these pin-up girls, but rather than drawing the model true to size, they would draw
unrealistic body proportions to achieve a certain look, much like today (Dachille, 2015).
The excessive altering of women’s bodies in Photoshop, therefore, has more to do with
society’s beauty standards rather than the program itself.
4. 4
Photoshop has had a large and serious impact on consumers of fashion and
media in particular. Almost every person in the United States is exposed to some form
of media whether it is through the medium of news, magazines, advertisements, or
social media; the list goes on and on for the many outlets consumers have. Within the
media are often retouched pictures of models, food, and everything in between.
Consumers are flooded with what one should look like, eat, or wear constantly but are
shown through the misleading lens of retouched pictures. Altering women’s bodies in
Photoshop has impacted it’s consumers by often causing young girls to have eating
disorders. Brändlin of DW magazine writes “Studies show that people who are often
exposed to such heavily edited fashion pictures believe that what they see is the norm,
which makes it more likely for them to suffer from eating disorders like bulimia and
anorexia, according to the media scholar” (Brändlin, 2015). Because of the altering of
images via Photoshop, young girls are literally starving themselves to attempt to obtain
this image of beauty. Young girls see the ever chased “thigh gap” portrayed in mass
media, and they would do whatever it takes to get it. Oftentimes, girls do not even
realize the images are Photoshoped. In a survey conducted in the United Kingdom
(UK), 15 percent of females surveyed were “convinced that the images of models and
celebrities in advertisements, magazines and billboards accurately depict what these
women look like in real life” (Vaginaos, 2013). Photoshoped images are also affecting
consumers in what they purchase. In order to obtain the look depicted in
advertisements, consumers are seeking out clothes and items that will help them obtain
the illusion of perfection. Consumers are also getting more cosmetic surgery which
5. 5
suggests that they are looking to fit into society’s standard of beauty (Rosenbrock,
2014).
The influence of Photoshop on culture and particularly consumers has only
increased. However, in recent years there has been a movement against the harms of
Photoshoping women’s pictures. One instance of poor Photoshop by Target recently
stirred a discussion on the ethics of Photoshop. Target ran an ad for a junior’s swimsuit
picturing a girl who appeared to have her crotch missing. Target initially claimed it was
necessary because thigh gaps are what’s encouraged but later apologized (Hill, 2014).
Instances like this are common and often raise questions about the effects of
Photoshop on self-esteem. There has also been a widespread celebrity movement
against the use of Photoshoping women’s bodies and the negative effects it causes.
Celebrities like Kiera Knightly, Lena Dunham, and Jennifer Lawrence have all taken
public stances against Photoshoping physical bodies. They speak out against the
harmful side effects such as eating disorders and poor self-esteem that Photoshoping
images create. Within the movement, there is a push to pass laws in the U.S. to reduce
Photoshoping model’s bodies. The Truth in Advertisement Act of 2014 lays out a
strategy to reduce the use of images that have altered the physical and facial
characteristics of individuals depicted in the media (Congress, 2014). Other countries
have taken stands against this harmful practice including fashion leader of the world,
France. France has made it illegal to Photoshop an image without tagging “were
manipulated” (Asuncion, 2015). However, there is some disagreement about if tagging a
picture alerting consumers to a Photoshoped image even makes a difference to a girl’s
self-esteem (Kotz, 2014).
6. 6
Discussion
The effect of Photoshop on body image is a subject I am passionate about. After
reviewing the information discussed above, I am completely convinced that
Photoshoping pictures in the media has a negative effect on the self-esteem of young
girls and women. Aside from the research presented, the effects of this program are
apparent in my own life and to my close friends. When I read the statistic concerning
young girls dieting and struggling with self-image due to the perfection seen in media, I
was reminded of my close friend who bears this struggle as well. The effects are real,
and they affect real people regardless if it is realized or not. Oftentimes, you will hear
people say that media doesn’t affect them, or that they don’t care if a picture is
Photoshoped because it “obviously isn’t real.” However, I believe that being constantly
bombarded with flawless skin, perfectly proportioned bodies, and immaculate makeup
has a direct impact on the way we feel about ourselves, and there are many statistics
and facts to back my opinion up.
One question I have pondered is why our society and why women have pursued
this perfect Photoshoped body. As mentioned before, there are debates on whether or
not labeling an image that has been Photoshoped even matters. Our brains simply do
not process what exactly that means. Instead, we become extremely self-conscious,
and we try to look like the unrealistic model on the front cover. I believe that America
has developed this ideal because underneath, there lies insecurity that we aren’t as
good as the person next to us. This insecurity probably was derived from the pursuit of
the “American Dream,” and our capitalistic society. This pursuit drives us to fit into a
cookie cutter future which most Americans have bought into either consciously or
7. 7
unconsciously. Therefore, we are constantly trying to be better than the person next to
us, so if we don’t meet the generally accepted beauty ideal, we immediately feel
inadequate: like we don’t fit in. Another flaw in our society is we like for everything to
look perfect even if it isn’t. Instead of celebrating “flaws,” we body shame bigger women
on television and look down on celebrities for having some acne. The media thinks we
don’t want to see flaws. They have this idea that we would rather see the “what we
could be.” So, we get Photoshoped images everywhere we look. However, I believe
there is a shift in my generation. My generation is speaking out against the harmful
effects that Photoshoping everyone from children to adults has. We want to see these
supposed “flaws” celebrated not covered up. We want to relate to real humans not
angels who have ascended from above.
The fact that almost every image we see of a woman has some form of
Photoshop on it is astounding, and it says a lot about our culture. It says that our culture
is extremely vain and shallow. Yes, there is a movement away from this, but it is a hard
battle against years and years of extreme vanity. Our culture craves wrinkle, pore, and
blemish free skin, thin bodies, and luscious hair, and media tries to portray it as the
norm, so we do everything we can to just be “normal.” We seemed to be obsessed with
ourselves spending thousands of dollars on beauty and skin care products, but really
we just want to fit in. This “normal is constantly reinforced with images of perfect women
displayed everywhere. When the image altering practice is spoken out against, the
powers-that-be usually always say “Photoshop is industry-standard.” Yes, I agree
Photoshop is industry standard, but to the extent in which those images are
Photoshoped is a matter worth discussing.
8. 8
Conclusion
There is no question that Photoshoping images are harmful to our self-esteem.
The false reality shown creates a fictional sense of “normal” that consumers would do
just about anything to attain. From cosmetic surgeries to eating disorders, Photoshoping
women’s bodies have affected our everyday lives starting when we look in the mirror.
Photoshop has been the primary tool used in altering pictures, but this practice has
been done since the early days of the 20th century with soft focus cameras. Through
discussion created by embarrassing Photoshop mishaps and legislation such as the
Truth in Advertisement Act of 2014, the harmful practice of altering women’s bodies
beyond recognition is getting recognition. Our next step should be to continue to discuss
and explore the damaging effects of Photoshop to women’s self-esteem, but to not stop
there. We should take action to show the women of the world that the “real you is sexy.”
9. 9
Resources
A Quick History of Adobe Photoshop & Cool Facts Behind the Living Legend. (2013,
October 14). Retrieved May 7, 2015, from
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/history-of-adobe-photoshop/
Asuncion, M. (2015, April 4). France passes law banning 'anorexic' models and
Photoshop with no label. Retrieved May 12, 2015, from
http://stgist.com/2015/04/anorexia-france-law-photoshopping-2747
Brändlin, A. (2015, February 27). How 25 years of Photoshop changed our perception
of reality. Retrieved May 6, 2015, from http://www.dw.de/how-25-years-of-
photoshop-changed-our-perception-of-reality/a-18284410
Dachille, A. (2015, January 17). Old Photoshop From The ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s, And ‘60s
Prove We’ve Been Altering Women’s Bodies For Way Too Long. Retrieved May
6, 2015, from http://www.bustle.com/articles/59161-old-photoshop-from-the-30s-
40s-50s-and-60s-prove-weve-been-altering-womens-bodies-for
Hill, S. (2014, March 19). Photoshop Enhances Body Image Fixation. Retrieved April
22, 2015, from http://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/photoshop-enhances-
body-image-fixation/article_5e949f54-aee4-11e3-885e-0017a43b2370.html
10. 10
H.R.4341 - Truth in Advertising Act of 2014113th Congress (2013-2014). (2014, March
27). Retrieved May 6, 2015, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-
congress/house-bill/4341
Kotz, D. (2014, November 7). Keira Knightley’s topless photo a boost to women’s body
image. Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/health-
wellness/2014/11/07/keira-knightley-topless-photo-protest-photoshop-boost-
women-body-image/NKBp7W5iJK4FUNE7OR0mCL/story.html
Rosenbrock, K. (2014, September 24). Photoshop, Body Shaming and 6 More Ways
the Mainstream Media is Destroying Your Body Image. Retrieved May 7, 2015,
from http://www.theactivetimes.com/photoshop-body-shaming-and-6-more-ways-
mainstream-media-destroying-your-body-image
Vagianos, A. (2013, November 27). Survey Proves We Still Really Need To Talk About
Photoshop. Retrieved May 5, 2015, from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/27/photoshop-survey-
women_n_4350263.html
