Is it ethical for magazines and advertisers to digitally manipulate photos? What if these images have a negative impact on people’e self image and lead to various disorders? Do these companies have any responsibility? What about the fact that these are companies trying to profit and if their advertising is not effective they would not be profitable? What if the magazines sold fewer copies or advertisers sold fewer products if they didn’t retouch their models so drastically? Is it appropriate to tell people that if they don’t like what magazines or advertisers are doing then you don’t have to look or buy?
Below are a few links to interesting stories and websites on the issue.
http://idealbite.com/100-percent-of-what-you-see-in-fashion-magazines-is-retouched/
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/on-women/2009/03/16/negative-body-image-blame-photoshop
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/fashion/28RETOUCH.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-matlins/post_2329_b_932086.html