Peter Lindbergh photographed stars like Sophie Marceau without makeup for French Elle and now he is saying it is time for photoshopped images to disappear. He refers to the images as "objects from Mars."
In a New York Times article, Peter Lindbergh says that over a period of years, photoshopping has taken too large a part in how women are defined. "Heartless retouching," he wrote, "should not be the chosen tool to represent women in the beginning of this century."
Lindbergh created a series of covers for French Elle that pictured stars Monica Bellucci, Eva Herzigova and Sophie Marceau without makeup or retouching. In France, this led to an outcry of support where health officials were already trying to force magazines to publish when and how an image was altered.
Editors of American publications resisted, of course. They have noticed a backlash but just keep plowing ahead.
Rebelling Against Retouching
Peter Lindbergh Slams Usage of Photoshop
Trend Themes
1. Anti-retouching Movement - There is an opportunity for brands to participate in the anti-retouching movement by featuring natural-looking models in their campaigns and avoiding excessive use of photoshop.
2. Real Beauty Standard - The trend towards accepting imperfection and promoting real beauty standards presents an opportunity to disrupt the traditional beauty industry with products and campaigns that celebrate natural beauty.
3. Transparency in Media - The push for transparency in media and advertising presents an opportunity for brands to adopt ethical practices and disclose the extent of image manipulation in their campaigns.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can disrupt traditional beauty standards by featuring models with diverse body types and promoting inclusive and ethical practices.
2. Beauty - The beauty industry can disrupt the use of excessive photoshopping by promoting products that enhance natural beauty and celebrate imperfections.
3. Media - The media industry can disrupt the use of excessive image manipulation by promoting transparency and ethical standards in advertising and publishing.