In the article I just read, called “Smile and Say ‘No Photoshop’,” there are many issues brought to life about the fashion and modeling industry. I believe the main points were that unrealistic standards of women (and men!) are being shown, and many people are taking them to heart. When I look at a magazine, it’s easy to see someone beautiful and not give it a second thought, but what most people don’t realize, is that almost all of these images are changed through Photoshop and other editing tools.

I do believe that these standards are unrealistic, and are leading to a bigger problem. Not everyone is naturally confident, and seeing these pictures in magazines is bound to make you look at yourself with less confidence as time goes on. If we could see natural pictures, I believe it would be easier to see ourselves in a more kind light. If these models are okay showing their unique freckles or the size of their waist, then it could become easier for so many other people to embrace their unique qualities as well.

I believe Photoshop could be used to enhance natural light, make certain things more noticeable, or edit a picture to the point of it clearly being fake. However, I don’t believe the amount of editing that goes into models is reasonable at all. I would understand more minor changes, but the drastic ones they are doing are simply too extreme. Maybe taking away a pimple, or making eyes brighter, but completely cutting off parts of their stomachs? I find that COMPLETELY unrealistic. I think our magazines need to embrace more natural real pictures, and less ones that simply look plastic and dreamlike.