February 13, 2013

Photoshop and avatars
By Hernor De Asis

If perfections can be achieved on just a click of the mouse, then all and sundry should sleep all day long. Why? Since only “Mr. Nobody” is perfect. Wake up dude! Accept the fact that you were born that way.
If you hate that flat nose, those bulging eyes, square face, then don’t curse yourself, never blame the Creator or your parents and please don’t hide behind curtains; you’re not the only one who isn’t blessed by Aphrodite (Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty). Just be inspired by Spongebob Squarepants regardless of his unsightly appearance, he gained lots of fans.
Too much for the Greeks, let’s give our constructive criticisms to these individuals who have “cyber-beauty”, who rely on Photoshop, and achieving the desired beauty through digital operations or enhancements.
All printing shops here in San Carlos City like Graphics and Print (GAP), City Designs, Ramacho Studio, and many others, serve as the digital hospital to expunge unwanted moles, pimples and scars or even altering body contours of the populace who are hiding behind their avatars (customized electronic image to represent oneself).
There are lots of software and online photo editors that can be utilized in transforming one’s image and most netizens (a portmanteau of the English words Internet and citizen) have the knowledge to manipulate it. Hence, the term photo manipulation and image fakery best describe such actions in becoming a good looking person on social media, like twitter and facebook.
Profile pictures! Everyone wants to have the best profile picture ever on their social media sites, since they want to attract more friend requests or they just can’t help showing their exquisiteness to the world. Knowing that pictures speak a thousand words, most people are easily hoodwinked to the things they see at first glance and make judgment in a flash of lightning.
Ok fine, your gorgeous, “but is it real?” or is it modified by a magical touch of Dr. Adobe?
I want to quote some lines of the article I’ve read at www.aphotoeditor.com:
“Photos that are faked are intrinsically tied to photos that are real. They draw much of their power from the public’s belief that photos never lie. Of course all of us know “the camera always lies” and the second you pick a lens or a place to stand you’re influencing the reality of the picture in some way. But, we can’t escape that the public still wants to believe in a photograph’s ability to tell the truth. So, people who take images that appear to be truthful but are really altered beyond reality are at some level destroying this bond.” (A Photo Editor (APE) is edited by Rob Haggart, the former Director of Photography for Men’s Journal and Outside Magazine.)
    If you aren’t happy with your physical likeness then appreciate what’s within!
    “Unsa may pulos sa imong kagwapa kung wala pud kay batasan?” or worse “Maot ang imong batasan sama sa imong dagway!”  Well, it’s not a matter on how people look at you, rather on how people talk about you! It’s always a good thing that you are the sugar on everybody’s lips.
    Never use photoshop to allure your future wife or husband since you need to marry them in person. Don’t tell me that you’ll be hiring a proxy on your wedding day or you’re going to print a life-size edited portrait of yours that will take your place during the ceremony. Then, you’re one psychoanalytic mumbo-jumbo!     
    Living on a cock-and-bull story will not help you build a good image and reputation. Try to overcome your avatar even when you look like an ABAT-ar (lol, peace). STOP using PHOTOSHOP when it involves enhancing or even changing one’s snapshot. Always bear in mind, that real beauty never fades, and it can’t be seen through a simple gaze, since my perspective upholds that ‘real beauty is learned and trained!’ It’s up to you on how you will define real beauty, but please never rely on the craft of technology just to be pleasing to look at.        To all photo editors, netizens, and professional or amateur photographers: “Capture, exhibit, produce and publish images that are real and free from any alterations!” Because, *When people see an amazing photograph for the first time they usually ask, is it real? The answer should be YES!”
    (*Italicized and bolded sentence is a direct quotation from the article “Is Photo Manipulation Bad for Photography?”)

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