More on body image/touching up photos

In http://slate.msn.com/id/2104464/:

Hi,
This is about your reply to the question a while ago about whether the
Playboy playmates are touched-up. I'm a studio manager, and I oversee
Photoshop retouching for commercial images—magazines and advertising. Are
the bunnies a little touched-up? A lot touched-up. Typical retouching
changes (I don't work for Playboy, so can't speak specifically to them)
include eye-color changes, skin changes, and the actual shape of the body
is changed. (Legs are extended, hips thinned out.) Hair is changed,
lighting ... anything and everything is altered. If there is anything in a
shot that is less than 100 percent perfect, it's altered or removed. I
often tell my friends to never compare themselves to the women in
magazines. I can point out where flaws and blemishes have been removed as
well as body alterations made. That woman's husband is seriously deluding
himself. I always enjoy your column. Thanks!

—S.B.

Dear S.,
Well, thank you! And Prudie says that for every woman who's ever felt she
didn't measure up (or down) to the cupcakes in the magazines. Prudie
considers your letter to be a kind of public service announcement. The
funny thing is, though, that men who love women often don't see the
imperfections or don't care that they're there … cupid's Photoshop, if you
will.

—Prudie, appreciatively


--
Bob in CT
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