There was a time before Photoshop, but no one here would remember it.
The first photograph was taken in 1826 and photo manipulation began as early as the 1940s.
Fast forward to 2016: photos are modified without a second thought, changing reality with every quick alteration.
Photoshop has changed the way that people perceive beauty and the way we see each other. While this can affect everyone, this is an issue that particularly influences young girls and adult women.
It’s not a surprise that businesses Photoshop the models in their advertising campaigns. They do this to make their product more appealing.
When an advertisement comes on TV or a catalog comes in the mail, the people in them are flawless. We have to remember, these models are completely fake, unrealistic representations of human beings.
Idolizing these perfect bodies is like aspiring towards something completely unobtainable. Nobody looks as good in person as in an edited photo. It’s impossible.
The same thoughts come to my mind: Skinny is pretty. I am not skinny. I am not pretty. Clear skin is beautiful. My skin isn’t clear. My skin is not beautiful.
Even if I go to the gym for hours on end, the outcome will never be that ideal body I’m looking for. All of the work will always fail in comparison to professionally manipulated models.
In an attempt to combat this way of thinking Aerie, an American Eagle Outfitters’ brand, has started a campaign to help young women love their bodies for what they are. Aerie’s website features a feed where females are encouraged to tag their Instagram photos with the movement’s coined tag: #aeriereal. This shows real women of various ethnicities in a form that is relatable to everyone.
Among the famous supporters of this true beauty movement is Beyoncé Knowles.
But here is the thing: Beyoncé has been accused on several media sites, including Huffington Post, for supposedly altering her Instagram pictures, slimming her legs and giving herself a “thigh gap”.
Although she has every right to edit her own photos for her own brand, her actions completely contradict her support for the “no Photoshop” movement.
Why would she do that? She is just as beautiful without the cover up of photo editing.
There have been steps in the right direction recently with the "All Woman Project" which encourages models who are sick of being retouched using Photoshop to show their natural selves.
Their website says, "We believe size or color doesn’t limit us as models or as women. We believe all body shapes and ethnicities deserve to be represented in fashion and in the media, helping girls worldwide feel positive and confident about themselves." And that is so refreshing to hear. This is a project that is taking a stand that many others are afraid to take.
It is beautiful to see women of all different backgrounds embracing themselves for who they are and not caring about these ridiculous beauty standards that make women believe they must be perfect to be pretty.
Take a step back and look in the mirror. Go back to the basics and think: What do you love about yourself?
Embrace it. Embrace you.
