In recent history an international cyber epidemic has swept across the web. Facebook users have discovered photo editing .You know who you are. You pay a monthly fee for a Picknic account. You spend a minimum of two hours uploading pictures to Facebook. Your skin is ten shades darker in your tagged pictures than it is in person. Often times when looking at said photos, friends might find themselves asking, “Why is it so dark?” Photo shop was originally designed to make subtle improvements and changes to photos. This abuse of technological genius has been an unforeseen side effect.
Like all things, the root of the problem is popular culture. Young girls and boys grow up idolizing demigods like Jennifer Aniston and Natalie Portman. This plants a seed of unrealistic expectations in the heads of youth. It is common knowledge that celebrities alter their looks, but Facebook users are not celebrities. Furthermore, the people responsible for photo editing and producing more flattering photos are professionals. I’m not saying this is a valid excuse. However, it is crucial to remember that these people are trained in their fields. Amateur hour is over, misuse of the slenderize effect is not okay in any setting. Picnik and iPhoto do not suffice as professional photo editing programs (if you’re using adobe Photoshop that’s a different story). It is most definitely an abuse of privileges to give your self a glow. You know, you blur the picture quality so much you start to resemble one of the angels in the Sistine Chapel. Sorry to say friends, but this is the Internet and you are no angel. Certainly not when you’re doing beer bongs in Lake Havasu or passed out in a bathroom. While we’re on the topic of blurriness, let’s talk about Hipstamatic photos. It’s okay to add the cute, vintage Polaroid effect to a mupload (mobile upload) every once and a while, but there is a place and a time. Photoshop is fine in moderation just use discretion.Â
All Facebook users are guilty of abusing their Photoshop privileges in some sense. We don’t want people seeing unflattering pictures of us, but that’s the risk you take by having a Facebook. Everyone wants to be beautiful. But what is the price of Internet beauty? Is it really worth it to have teeth that are so white they are blinding? Is it necessary to increase the exposure on photos so much that you become a floating head? I think not. It is time for the Facebook community to realize that beauty comes in all shapes in sizes. Well, most people probably already know that and choose to ignore it. Facebook users really need to learn that their friends are not stupid. Everyone knows what you look like. Misuse of photo shop is really more of an embarrassment because it is so obvious. A little tweak here and there is fine, but people need start taking responsibility for their actions.Â