“Selfies” are taken everyday, all from different angles and in different lighting. Tons of pictures flood social media platforms including, but not limited to Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. What can be discerned from a multitude of pictures taken of oneself is that they are edited or enhanced in one way or another. The ability to alter one’s appearance in photos has a tremendous influence on the scope of digital photography, yet there has been strife over how this shapes teenagers, Let’s take this example into consideration: Marissa is a 12-year-old girl who is constantly scrolling through her Instagram feed, consisting of many photographs of models and celebrities who she happens to follow. She is always staying on top of trends and is “in the know” when it comes to her favorite followings.
Lately, Marissa notices that many models seem to look skinnier than usual. Marissa comes to think that she must look “better” in her photos as well and must alter her body shape so that it resembles an hourglass, just like the models. This is how she becomes aware of the concept of digital modification of photos and takes on the trend, There is an increasingly large number of people who speak out against this retouching of photos, including prominent names like CVS and Getty Images. They believe this trend is harmful, making young children think of themselves to be “too fat” or “too ugly” or just simply “not good enough.”
Why must one hide their true selves? Why can‘t they muster confidence in their own bodies and accept their flaws and, most importantly, themselves? The opposite side of this issue is that photoshopping and the like makes images more appealing to the eye and that photo editing is an art in itself. To them, wrinkles and blemishes are not ideal. To me, though altering one’s image can make one look “better,” the most important thing is to love oneself and to prioritize our thoughts and not those of others, although this can be difficult for the particularly insecure. Keeping it real is the best way to go. Editing images conceals one’s true self, giving rise to false and unrealistic distortions, Every single year since elementary school, I had to have my picture taken for the yearbook.
127 our experts are availableright now
I once happened to notice that there was an option to enhance these school photos, removing blemishes and the likeiall for a price. Digitally editing photos has become a profitable investment, and changing how a ten-year—old looks is not fine. At such a young age, exposing children to this phenomenon is not healthy. Children must be able to accept their braces or freckles as a part of themselves, who they really are. Editing photos ends up making themselves out to be a “lie,” an unrecognizable impostor, I believe that showing the world our natural faces will make an impact, allowing these young individuals to realize that maybe it’s okay for them to flaunt their acne scars, that it‘s okay if they don’t look like Kylie Jenner or Kim Kardashian.
This realization will ultimately entail positive ramifications, on the acceptance of oneself for who they are, for the denial of society‘s unacceptably demanding expectations, and for shaping one’s outlook on the world, It’s okay to let one‘s genuine self shine through. We must say “no” to this trend of changing our appearances digitally, Although there will be a great difficulty in doing so, considering the fact that a vast number of people (including famous faces) are in on the trend and the fact that it is a whole money-making scheme, we must think of the young ones and how such a concept can hinder their self-esteem and create a pressure to conform to beauty ideals and standards We should not cave in, and should not be manipulated. It is time to say that imperfections are okay, that they are beauLiful. Everyone is beautiful just how they are. There is no need for change, except one involving taking a stand on this imposing issue at hand.
