Should Photos of Airbrushed Models Come With a Disclaimer?

By SheSpeaksTeam Nov 29, 2013

You’ve probably heard how photoshopping and airbrushing have become common practice in magazines and billboards. The end-result image we see is probably pretty far from what the subject actually looks like. Recently, many of us were given a chance to see just how dramatically different the photoshop transition can be when a viral video was released displaying a minute long clip of one woman’s time-lapse photoshopped image.

The Dailymail reports about the viral video and the message the makers of the video want to send to the general public. The video features actress Sally Gifford Piper dressed in nothing but a pair of red bikini briefs. As we watch the video we see photoshop and airbrushing technology work their magic to elongate Gifford Piper’s legs, thin out her torso and arms, shrink her feet, enlarge her breasts, and make her look like just about every other image we are so accustomed to seeing in magazines.

Gifford Piper’s husband, Tim Piper and GlobalDemocracy.com created the time lapse video in an effort to spread the message and demand disclaimers be placed on all photos of airbrushed models. The actress and her husband feel the public’s idea of healthy body image has become dangerously skewed after viewing these computer generated images for so long.

Gifford Piper explains why she decided to take part in the project and the message she hopes is conveyed through her image. She says, “I feel really angry about the pressure on women and the reality is that most of us don't look like these perfect women. I think there needs to be a celebration of all different shapes and sizes. And we need to see more variety and I'm determined to fight for that.”

What do you think of this time lapse video showing the dramatic transformation of this woman using photoshop?

Do you think photos of models should include disclaimers when the use of airbrushing has occurred?

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Comments

by critterel | PRESTON, CT

Jan 27, 2014

I remember when I was a teenager taking pictures from Seventeen magazine and trying to look like them because I was certain that *that* was what I was supposed to look like. That it was attainable. It is completely WRONG for young girls to have have these images flashed into their psyches throughout their formative years. It warps their ideas of what they are supposed to be, what society considers "acceptable", what society considers "beautiful". I routinely show my daughter the computer images so she KNOWS they are FAKE. Because I am so afraid that she won't know how beautiful she is-- because some magazine feels the need to continually edit women until they are nearly non-existent. I understand they have a right to do whatever they want with the images they own, however they should label them at the least. "This magazine contains images edited for artistic purposes." or whatever. So that girls will know that the images within are NOT realistic.

by Kim3100 | OLDSMAR, FL

Jan 10, 2014

I think it would help the people who compare themselves to the models and stars in the magazine to have a disclaimer on the page saying that the photo has be altered. To many people have made themselves physically ill trying to look like them when they don't even look like that.

by ninap18 | Trumbull, CT

Jan 05, 2014

This is outrageous! I'm all for using makeup to enhance natural features but photoshop to completely warp them into something not easily, naturally achievable? I'm disgusted.

by Astrid223 | SPRINGDALE, AR

Dec 06, 2013

Yes, younger girls will see that even the girls in these ads don't really look like that! It would help in promoting better body views!

by Delabelle | Beaumont, TX

Dec 02, 2013

I think I would have to say yes on this one!

by seahorsepalm | Augusta, GA

Dec 02, 2013

Our world is growing more and more as a fake world. It really is sad. Lets just live life, and grow old together and be happy with what we have not what everyone else wants you to look like.

by spartan117sj | ALGER, MI

Dec 01, 2013

I agree! Photoshopping = changing the truth of the image or product = false advertising! Regardless of whether we know they are doing it, it shouldn't be done. Companies should be encouraged to create products that can REALLY work and have real results, and those results should be what we see in the pictures and videos of advertisements. It gets tiring to see unrealistic images of a person, and it does put pressure on the rest of us, even those who understand how absurd it is to compare yourself to someone who has been touched by the magical photoshopping wand. I think a disclaimer would be quite appropriate for multiple reasons.

by aylaka24 | South Bend, IN

Nov 30, 2013

Yes these ads should come with a disclaimer, it should count as false advertising!