Over the last couple of decades, it has been obvious that media has a large influence in society's views of what is beautiful, what is acceptable, and what should have a brown bag over it. A huge aspect of this influence is Photoshop and how altering photos gives a false sense of normalcy. This false sense is normalcy has proven to be a contributing factor in eating disorders; people look at the covers of magazines and think that they NEED to look like that - no matter the cost.
Recently, an Australian model and her photographer called out a company for using Photoshop on a picture without permission. Model Meaghan Kausman, who happens to be the daughter of a body image activist, did a photo shoot with photographer Pip Summerville for the swimwear company, Fella Swim. Kausman was significantly upset and disturbed by the altered picture. She posted the original and altered photographs on Instagram, side by side, so that the world could see just how much her body had been changed. She posted, along with the pictures, that Fella Swim had "drastically altered my body, thinning out my stomach and thighs in an attempt to box me in to the cultural ideal of beauty."
"My body is a size 8, not a size 4," Kausman continued on Instagram. "I refuse to stand by and allow ANY company or person to perpetuate the belief that 'thinner is better.'" Summerville also blasted the swimwear company, mentioning that Fella Swim had actually violated copyright laws for using Photoshop and utilizing the image for advertisement. "These [photo manipulation] situations are not of an isolated occurrence in the industry, and are all (too) common, highlighting the unrealistic expectations of beauty and body image."
The photograph seems to have been removed from Fella Swim's Instagram page, and the company hasreportedly apologized to both the model and photographer.
It makes me sad that this is even an issue. It's ridiculous that society's view of "beauty" has, at some point, turned into looking like a skeleton...and as someone who used to look like a skeleton, I promise that it's really not very pretty.
Fortunately, some celebrities are speaking out against the photo-altering industry, as well as the asinine thought of beauty - and that no one actually looks like that! It's comforting to know that the influential people are taking advantage of their voice in a positive manner. "With great power comes great responsibility." Some of these rockin' folks include...
Keira Knightley
Brad Pitt
Jessica Simpson
Ashley Benson
Beyonce
Coco Rocha
Kate Winslet
Gisele Bundchen
Lorde
Lady Gaga
Kim Kardashian (This one honestly surprised me the most, but my fact checking shows this to be accurate. Who would have thought!)
It's also been good to see that everyday people are making a difference too. The Dove Campaign for Real Beauty is about average women of every size, shape, color, age...everything...showing what beauty really is. I feel like our society might be moving in the right direction. Sure, magazines still use Photoshop, casting directors still look for actresses with big breasts and small waists, and ballet instructors regularly tell dancers that they're too fat...but at least voices are being heard now. Eating disorders will never go away, but perhaps the word that "thin is NOT in" will minimize the numbers.
I would like to end with this: don't judge. Anyone. Ever. Someone with an eating disorder may not be skin and bones. Someone that you think is overweight may actually be completely healthy. And this thing going around social media that "men love curves"...I can't get into it much, but women hating on other women for their size - even curvy women making fun of a lady who may have a crazy high metabolism, for all you know - that's just not okay. But that's another post for another day...
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