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...

Ralph Lauren Model, Fired For Being Too Fat?

Remember Filippa Hamilton, the unfortunate model who's image has gone through extensive photoshopping just to become the ultra-thin model of the controversial Ralph Lauren ad?


Well, Ralph Lauren has already issued a statement that admits to the irresponsible retouching of the model's photo, resulting in "a very distorted image of a woman's body."

But do you know that the supposed ultra-thin model has been axed by the company since April?

Filippa Hamilton, 5'10" and size 4 (120-pound), has revealed in her recent media interview that she was fired by Ralph Lauren because she was "too fat." On the Today show, the 23 years old Swedish-French model says, "They said I couldn't fit in their clothes anymore."

She added that her agent has received a letter from Ralph Lauren in April that says, "We're terminating your services because you don't fit into the sample clothes that you need to wear."

It seems like a size 4 model will never be thin enough for Ralph Lauren so that if they are unable to slim her through photo retouching, they send her out of the company for good.

A spokesperson for Ralph Lauren has denied the model's accusation and insisted that she was not terminated because of her weight but because of her "inability to meet the obligations under her contract."

Filippa Hamilton, on the other hand, maintains that she has been loyal to the company for eight years: "I did everything that I could. I was very loyal to them. I was on time every time."

The model's decision to speak out and publicize her complaint has been sparked by the photoshopped image of her on Ralph Lauren ad that shows an ultra-thin woman with her head appearing bigger than her waist and pelvis.

"They photoshopped her in a way that for me is grotesque and makes her look like a cartoon. The trouble is that it's damaging to her. Who wants to hire somebody that looks like that?" says Filippa Hamilton's lawyer to NBC News.

For her part, Filippa Hamilton says:

"It's not a good example when you see this picture, every young woman is going to look at it and think that it is normal to look like that. It's not. I saw my face on this super-extremely skinny girl, which is not me. It makes me sad. It makes me think that Ralph Lauren wants to have this kind of image. It's an American brand... and it's not healthy, and it's not right."

Ultra-Thin Model Of Ralph Lauren Ad Sparks Uproar

Here's the latest image to spark uproar in the old brewing debate of using digitally altered photographs of models in advertising and fashion magazines:

a Ralph Lauren advertisement featuring Filippa Hamilton in all her ultra-thin glory.


The photo first appeared on a blog called Photoshop Disasters, with a comment that says, "Dude, her head's bigger than her pelvis." It attracted much publicity after being posted by Boing Boing later on its website.

The Ralph Lauren management was none too pleased over the controversy the posts have sparked so they filed a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) complaint over the two companies. According to the management, the "use of the image was a copyright infringement that fell outside of the Fair Use laws which allow the media to reproduce creative content for the purposes of commentary and criticism."

As a response, Photoshop Disasters removed the post. But Boing Boing, Canada's Priority Colo, refused to do so. Instead, it posted a warning for Ralph Lauren on its website that says:

"Copyright law doesn't give you the right to threaten your critics for pointing out the problems with your offerings. You should know better. And every time you threaten to sue us over stuff like this, we will:

a) Reproduce the original criticism, making damned sure that all our readers get a good, long look at it, and;

b) Publish your spurious legal threat along with copious mockery, so that it becomes highly ranked in search engines where other people you threaten can find it and take heart; and

c) Offer nourishing soup and sandwiches to your models."

Ralph Lauren's attempt to put a stop to the critics apparently did not help. It only increased the negative attention surrounding the controversial ad.

Actually, the problem is not on the useful digital photo enhancement process. If only Ralph Lauren did not alter the model so thin that her waist appears smaller than her head...

Digital Photo Enhancement - Headshot Your Way To Success

A great headshot is important for models or actors who audition for casting calls - we already know that. A good cover photo requires a little digital enhancement to achieve the desired "perfection" - we also know that. But wonder how digital photo enhancement works?

Here's a great video that demonstrates the basics of digital photo enhancement:





Learn more of digital photo enhancement here!

Ugly No More: The Power of Digital Photo Enhancement

Thanks to technology, digital photo enhancement is now available to help the images of models and actors achieved appeal perfection.

With the wide range of beauty enhancement products and services around, every person now has the opportunity to look and feel beautiful. This is especially true for every models and actors who capitalize on their good looks and lovely physique to attract serious modeling projects and land good roles in film. And so models and actors have to make sure that they are beautiful when they presented their photos and portfolios for the admiration or scrutiny of the international audience.

With digital photo enhancement, photos are retouched or airbrushed to eliminate all the unnecessary flaws like wrinkles, freckles, moles, uneven skin tone – all those blemishes that lessen the appeal of the subject and blocks many casting opportunities. It is no wonder that all the published photos and best professional model portfolios are retouched.

Think about it: why would you allow yourself to be overlooked by many casting opportunities just because of a minute flaw on your body that can be eliminated by just a simple retouching?

If you're not beautiful these days, it's already your fault.


Witness how digital photo enhancement works and avail of the Digital Photo Enhancement services today.