Last week the internet was indeed broken as Kim Kardashian revealed all on the front cover of Paper magazine. Hundreds of thousands of internet users were shocked to witness the provocative images of Kim K. However, what sparked the most controversy was the fact that the images were incredibly Photoshopped. From her perfectly sphere derriere; to the magical champagne bottle that miraculously pours into the glass, it was pretty evident that the photos were extremely ‘retouched.’
Editor of Paper, Kim Hastreiter, explained to Digiday that “of course it was Photoshopped. Do you really think that you can open a bottle of champagne and get it to spray in a thin line over someone’s head and land perfectly in a glass sitting on that same person’s bottom?” And so the great Photoshop debate spread across the internet once again.
Organisations such as Bodywise, explained the negative effect that these images can have on young people. As Kim Kardashian is seen as a public and influential figure, youths can become obsessed with trying to morph their figure into something which is physically impossible.
In August, Keira Knightley agreed to pose topless for Interview magazine on one condition – the photo would be untouched and no Photoshop would be used. For years, Knightley has come under public criticism for her slim figure. She explained to The Times that, “I’ve had my body manipulated so many different times for so many different reasons, whether it’s paparazzi photographers or for film posters. That [shoot] was one of the ones where I said: ‘OK, I’m fine doing the topless shot so long as you don’t make them any bigger or retouch.’ Because it does feel important to say it really doesn’t matter what shape you are.”
While Knightley’s image only became a phenomenon in the past couple of weeks, her stance on anti-Photoshop has proved successful. Yet with personalities such as Kim Kardashian promoting the opposite side, it is apparent that the Photoshop struggle will continue to exist.
Orlaith Farrell
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