What Goes On Behind that Image and why you shouldn’t compare yourself to them

I love Bobbi Brown. I really do. But when I saw the new photo to promote her new Nautical makeup Collection (right), I had to cringe. The model has been photoshopped so much that she doesn’t look like a human being anymore!

I know that I have a lot of younger readers that may not know what goes on behind the very manipulated images that are spread across the media. So I decided to write a post to hopefully educate some of you, so that you would never compare yourself to another model, actress, or woman in an ad again, because I’m sure we’ve all been there. Not to mention, it harms your self-esteem as well. (My post, How to Start Building Self-Esteem may be of interest.)

To put it bluntly – you will never live up to the standards the media portrays as ‘beautiful’ because it is simply not real. The sooner you know that the better!

This post I have written is based on my experience. I’ve worked in front of the camera (don’t tell) when I was younger, and behind the scenes when I was interning at a fashion magazine… and plus I’m a media student, so I’m quite aware of what goes on.  

Some images are more retouched than others, so they may not “follow” exactly what I’m writing, but I’m sure I’m pretty close; so you can get the main idea:

1. Brainstorming

The medium (TV ad, print ad, magazine cover, etc.) that needs an image brainstorms to what “look” will properly sell and convey their brand image. This usually involves an art director, creative director, or magazine editors. Countless meetings later, the “heads” will decide what direction to go in and move forward with the preparation. 

2. Finding the ‘Perfect’ Model

The model is chosen based on her “look”. Hair color, body type, race, height, ability to convey the message, etc. are taken into account. This involves casting agents/model bookers, art director, photographers, fashion editors.

3. At the Shoot

Hair and makeup are done by professionals. This may include contouring to make the nose slimmer, sharper jaw, emphasize cheekbones, as well as false eyelashes, extended lip lines, wigs, hair extensions, and whatever is needed. Hair and makeup can take up to 4 hours.

Clothes are then put on, and could involved clothes pinned back, tape for a bigger cleavage, or spanx to make the model look slimmer. People involved are stylists, hairstylist, makeup artist, and assistants. 

4. During the Shoot

Depending on the model’s ability and the creative directors satisfaction, shoots can last for hours, if not days to get the ‘perfect’ shot. People involved are the creative director, photographer, assistants, and all the stylists for touchups. Sometimes the “big guy” (editor, manager, etc) is there to overlook everything. 

5. After the Shoot

Ah, now for the fun bit! A photo editor or retoucher is called in, after the ‘perfect’ shot has been submitted to them. Some of the retouching includes photoshopping for:

• slimmer thighs, hips, waist, and arms,
• shading for deeper cheekbones, slimmer jawlines, slimmer nose, etc
• whiter teeth, whiter eyes, shiny nails
• bigger lips, fuller hair, bigger bust line
• blemishes and zits removed, lines erased, 
• brightening of colors: brighter blue eyes, brighter hair, makeup and clothes colors, etc.
• digital makeup: longer eyelashes, darker colors, richer colors, more blush, etc.
• …and the list goes on and on. 

Examples:

 —Redbook magazine

A Redbook cover of country star Faith Hill caused quite a stir when it came out. The magazine had used an image from an old photo shoot that had already been retouched, but as you can see they decided to retouch it more! Faith’s arms, waist, and whole body in general was made slimmer. They also edited out her eye bags, made her hair blonder, and  added some digital makeup.

 —Britney’s Magical Weight Loss

Check this out – a tabloid magazine celebrating Britney’s new weight loss – only it being a recycled image from an old magazine shoot! Bottom line: Whatever sells!

 —Dove Campaign for Real Beauty

Another example is Dove’s campaign for real beauty they launched a few years ago, with this very popular video (this one has been watched over 8 million times!) showing one seemingly ‘ordinary’ woman being transformed into a billboard model.

 —Photoshop examples on YouTube

And lastly, there are plenty of retouching videos on YouTube. All you gotta type in is “photoshop” and you get some amazing videos. If these people are amateurs, can you imagine what the professionals can create? Here’s one of my favorite, called “Crazy Photoshop Skills!” – and it really is!

Unfortunately, things that are ‘good looking’ sell, and it’s all about image and mostly importantly, money. So girls, never compare yourself to the model on a magazine. Understand that it is all business. Most importantly, don’t ever feel like you’re not as “beautiful” as those girls or wonder why some people look “perfect” and you don’t. If we had the amount of people working on us behind every photograph we take, we’d all look like supermodels, trust me. 

(Some interesting posts of more examples I found on the web: Celebrities Before and After and The Photoshop Beauties: Before and After.)

I hope my post has shed some light if some of you were not aware what goes on. Feel free to add more examples, or more points than the ones I’ve added. :)

Images: Jezebel.com, WorldofBritney.com, Bobbi Brown