More and more I’m disgusted by the excessive photograph retouching that goes on on a daily basis (also known as “photoshopping”) in all sorts of advertisement. The idea is to turn the already attractive models into beings with biologically impossibly long legs and small waists, while promoting a large dose of eating disorders, self-image problems, and impossible expectations from real people. And all just to sell a little more. I also hate the fact that I am basically being lied to.

A few notes of interest in this front.

1. Kudos to singer Britney Spears, who released the before and after photos of her recent photo shoot for a Candie’s campaign. Here’s a cool animated gif comparing the photos:

2. Kudos to France, who are mulling a law that would make it a requirement to add a warning on any retouched photo, indicating that it was, indeed retouched.

3. Kudos to French magazine Marie Claire, whose April edition was “Photoshop-free”. And the girls still look attractive! They also featured Jessica Simpson both  Photoshop and makeup-free in their cover.

4. Part of the problem is that nowadays any idiot has access to a computer powerful enough and software powerful enough to do some serious retouching. Exhibit A: Funny yet sad blog dedicated to retouching gone bad is worth a visit: PhotoshopDisasters.

5. Part of the problem is that nowadays any idiot has access to a computer powerful enough and software powerful enough to do some serious retouching. Exhibit B: The MKX® Photo Central | Digital Magic.