How Are Fashion Photographs Manipulated?
Retouching fashion photographs to make the models appear better looking isn't anything new. The ethics of modifying photos of Hollywood actresses has been debated since the 1930s, when Hollywood photographer George Hurrell manipulated images to make the women appear more glamorous, according to the 2009 article, "Smile and Say 'No Photoshop,'" by Eric Wilson, which was published in "The New York Times." There are various ways of retouching or manipulating fashion images. Most touch-ups are done to improve the look of the model or to enhance sales of the product being advertised.
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Computer Manipulations
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With a variety of retouching software available, it's common for fashion photographers to manipulate photos using computer technology. This allows a photographer to make a model appear thinner, enhance her eye color or remove excess skin from her chin or cheeks, according to "Photojournalism: An Ethical Approach," by Paul Martin Lester.
Lighting Tricks
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Most fashion photographers are very good at using lighting to change the appearance of an image or photograph. Natural light, incandescent light and even brightly colored lights can be used as manipulation tools. For example, when a greenish light is used in darkness, the person being photographed appears mysterious and spooky, according to the article, "Light and Color in Photography," published on Photography.com. Adjusting the direction of the lighting used on a model can create shadows or dark spaces.
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Air Brushing
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Air brushing is commonly used by fashion photographers, according to the article, "Air Brushing," published by Photography.com. Imperfections, such as scars, bruises or acne, can be removed by air brushing the image, making it look smooth and flawless. Although most air brushing is now done digitally, the original air-brushing technique of spraying paint onto a photo using compressed air has been used for decades to modify photos.
Special Effects
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By adding special effects, such as a fire in the distance or neon lights overhead, a photographer is able to catch a reader's attention, according to the article, "140+ Learn Awesome Photoshop Effects," published by "Tripwire Magazine" in 2011. These effects convey a sense of depth and emotion, engaging viewers and enabling the photograph to be more exciting or attention-grabbing.
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References
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