Political Picture

Photoshop Manipulation

As a young women, thinking about Photoshop manipulation angers me.  I don't like how clothing companies are portraying the female body.  I think these ads brainwash vulnerable girls into believing they have to be as "perfect" or skinny as the models they see.  I think the technology of Photoshop is awesome, but I don't agree with how editors are manipulating human bodies.  What message is this portraying to society and how does this make the models feel?  

I read up on the Ralph Lauren model who was fired for not being able to fit into the companies sample clothes. Apparently this was false as the model, who worked with Ralph Lauren for eight years never fluctuated in weight.  Filippa Hamilton says she has stayed 5'10'',  120 pounds, and a size 4 since starting with the company.  Today, sample clothes used for photo shoots are a size zero, meaning the models are skinner. Yet, photo editors still use Photoshop to tweak "fat" body parts.  

Some models are taking a stand.  Hamilton for example is suing. She thinks it is unjust that her photo looked unreal.  Seventeen magazine has taken a stand to not edit their magazine photos and have started a petition for Teen Vogue.  I think it is great that magazines that are geared towards the more vulnerable audiences are the first to take a stand.  I don't think viewers should have to think their bodies aren't good enough because they are surrounded by size zero models.  As for the models, having their bodies manipulated must make them have a lower self-esteem.

I came across articles about H&M and Victoria Secret, two companies that I make purchases from.  I have to say I wasn't surprised that Victoria Secret made changes to their already skinny models but having the exact changes pointed out surprised me.  However, when I came across what H&M was digitally conveying I was very angry.  The photo above shows two models. Or does it?  H&M is using the same body to display their lingerie and swim suits but putting different heads on the bodies.  How messed up is this?  Again, these skinny models with protruding hip bones are sending the wrong messages to their audience and in some cases making the models themselves feel insecure.  

Ralph Lauren

Picture Imperfect

Victoria Secret

H&M

Funny Video?

Composite

Over the weekend we were asked to create another composite.  This time using a picture of ourselves and one "borrowed" image from Google.

Composite Image

In class we created a composite image from images "borrowed" from Google.

First Collage

My very first collage didn't go too well, but I was able to come up with this after I saw examples of what other people were doing with their pictures.

TED Talk

  Last night as I laid in bed dying I watched Larry Lessig's video for the third time.  Every time I watched the video I was attempting to multitask and wasn't really grasping anything from it all.  I had heard of copyright before but I never really thought about how our youth was recreating other artists pieces of art.  I'm sure you've heard the saying  "finders keepers losers weepers" before… that is kind of my view on the situation.  I think the internet is a dangerous place and I think that if you can find it on the internet its basically a free for all.  The internet is a great place to let your work travel with the downside of someone else taking it (for free) and reusing it (maybe making it better). I believe one hundred percent that the original artist should receive credit for what they've done but I don't believe that we should be shunned for remaking, remixing, recreating, etc.  Like Lessig said, if this software is being made then why wouldn't we show off our skills and creativity?

Gotta Love Philadelphia

    I. LOVE! it. here.  I'm from New Jersey and occasionally I would come to the city for concerts, food, or clubs but now that I'm here for school, I never want to go back.  I love the diversity here and the crazy things you come across just walking down the street.  All of it excites me.

So I decided to drag my roommate to Center City to get this homework assignment done and to hit up the infamous Dick Blick  all at the same time, but when I arrived at 3:03 they were closed. (Just my luck).  The first thing I thought to do was ask my "smarter than you" phone, where the nearest art supply store was.  I ended up going to Utrecht which seemed to be just as expensive as the Temple University bookstore.  After art supplies were checked off my list we walked around aimlessly to get my pictures. I didn't really have an idea of what I wanted to capture, I was more focused on learning my way around so I could feel comfortable making trips alone.  Just a few days later I found myself in the same place, all by myself.

I've never imagined myself living here, I just thought Philadelphia was a great place to visit.  It's really nice to wake up everyday, walk out the front door and experience something new here.