How do you feel about photo retouching software that changes the shape of a persons face for the sake of enhancement?
Removing pimples and smoothing skin tones are one thing. Of course, everyone wants to look healthy and confident for a portrait. But this photo retouching software goes way beyond standard photo shop enhancements. It actually changes the shape of a face (bigger eyes, plumper lips, lifted cheek bones). Is this still retouching, or is it manipulation?
See before and after samples HERE. Click on any photo and then scroll mouse over large view to see before and after.
At what point is the finished product a poor representation of the actual person being photographed?
Do you feel this level of photo enhancement is appropriate or not?
Although it changes face shape, is that really any different than what a painter might do?
_______
Photo retouching used to be the sole domain of highly skilled lab artists who used brushes and dyes to paint on top of a printed photo. Upon the release of Photo Shop, photographers learned the art as well. But this photo retouch software puts the power into the hands of anyone, with no Photo Shop skills required. To me, it’s taking the retouch much further than I would ever consider doing.
In some of these before and after samples, it looks to take a mid 30’s woman and turn her into a pre-teenager. Specifically, look at the girl second from bottom on left column of thumbnails. Has this gone too far?
Observing members:
0
Composing members:
0
10 Answers
Geez, those are gawd-awful, like plastic masks. One of the girl’s has adorable freckles that are now gone completely.
I’d be upset with my daughter getting a retouched photo like that.
A fake is a fake.
What possible rationalization is there for doing this?
I think it’s an ugly trend.
Having said that, I think that if magazines get to do it, anyone should get to do it. I also think that all of these photos looked better before the manipulations, and as a freckled person, I am particularly annoyed at the removal of all of those beautiful freckles.
Like we used to say in the hood:
Don’t hate the software, hate the ad executive who approved the layout and wrote the spec sheet.
Word
Downloaded the trial: it is really easy!
All my moles and grey hair are gone :-)
Woah, it really is easy to use. That’s crazy.
I think it’s ridiculous. I don’t get why they removed the freckles. Stupid people.
It’s just another way to propogate unrealistic expectations, which are never good to have.
Humans look better as humans, not as dolls.
Everybody’s face looks like plastic wrap. I think this is the smooth silicon skin that the first sex bots will have. Digital photography marks the end of humanity.
Ugh!! Like the others, I think the girl with freckles looked so much better before they Barbie-ized her. :(
I don’t mind evening out skin tones, but totally restructuring a face? What happens when we go so far into fantasyland that we no longer can handle being with real people, with real wrinkles, curves, lumps, bumps and whatnot?
Uhmm… on a second thought, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to pass for 18 again…? Nah!
@GladysMensch Not just the execs, but the people who buy into this stuff.
Answer this question 
Composing members:
0
