Retouching Will "Glorify" Photos Of Women... And Men

Playing devil's advocate to the French-proposed legislation that requires labeling of retouched photos, fashion photographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino says the law would be silly because retouching has always been part of beautifying images.


Since picture speaks a thousand words, the photographer make his point vivid by taking a photo of a boyish model then "glorify" her by adding womanly curves. The photo has been featured in the past weekend's edition of French daily newspaper Libération's Next magazine, with Mondino's own words interpreting the snap:

"The photos of old Hollywood? Retouched! The iconic image of Che Guevara? Retouched! All the photos taken by Richard Avedon of Marilyn Monroe? Retouched! And all of this before today's software existed, of course. Legs were lengthened using a wide angle; skins were smoothed through overexposure."


Ok. So if retouching glorifies women, how would you view this 50 Cent photo in the campaign for his new fragrance, Power. Pulling off his white button-down shirt, the rapper looks heavily Photoshopped with the missing stomach tattoo...