Hats off to the French…no really
We’ve had our differences with the French over the years (remember banning french fries in Congressional cafeterias) but I have to shout Vive La France to a story I read this week in Ad Age that several French legislators have backed a bill that would require magazines to tell readers when photos have been air brushed to make celebrities, models, etc. look better than they are.
The proposed warning would be (as translated in Ad Age): “retouched photograph aimed at changing a person’s physical appearance.” The measure is backed by groups concerned about the impact of picture-perfect models on those with such eating disorders as anorexia.
I’m tired of touched-up photos of all kinds. When I worked for a real estate magazine, for example, the art director would routinely change photos of houses on the cover to conform with whatever image the accompanying story hoped to convey.
I’d like to cast a vote for photo integrity, whether on the editorial or the advertising side. What do you think?
If photo re-touching doesn’t worry you, just watch for what happens to my photo in the Marketing News Halloween issue. That should make you think twice about the joys of Photoshop.
