The Pros and Cons of Digital Photo Enhancement

Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:12PM EDT

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Did you catch the story about Katie Couric's slimmed-down look in an airbrushed photo in a CBS promotional magazine before she took the helm at CBS Evening News? Lots of folks were upset by it, and Katie and CBS execs mostly laughed it off.

But reader Lisa K. had a different take. The story inspired her to have a recent photo of her taken on the beach touched up to slim and shape her arms. She sent it off to PhotoChop.com (screenshot), and for $5 she has a digitally enhanced photo more to her liking. She's gone back with some more business, once to remove a fresh scrape from her son's nose.  

Lisa writes: One could argue that we are misrepresenting ourselves through these modified pictures, but the reality is that it can change a picture from something you dislike to something enjoyable. I have no moral hang-up in giving myself a little "enhancing" on my personal photos while celebrities every day are portraying themselves to the public this way.

Good point, Lisa. But I've got two girls, and I don't want them getting more messages that women should be thinner, wrinkle-free, and perfect—whatever that is. (PhotoChop's motto: With PhotoChop, you can be flawless.) So I'm not going to be spreading that message by altering my suspect photos. But, hey, there are lots of times a little blemish removal, stray hair fixing, and other enhancements just plain make a photo better. And the tools are available, so go for it.

Lisa asks if there are other services besides PhotoChop that digitally enhance photos. Do birds fly? Sure there are. Local camera stores can do the work. You can also try some basic photo editing tips and techniques with whatever photo editor you prefer.

But if you want to make finer enhancements, more advanced photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro may be the way to go. Here are some tips for using Paint Shop Pro, and a PhotoShop help site. I also found this popular step-by-step "How to Airbrush Your Photos in Photoshop" tutorial on Digg, though the result is a bit too plastic and unreal for me.

Got more tips for online or do-it-yourself photo enhancing? Please share.

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Comments on The Pros and Cons of Digital Photo Enhancement

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  • 147 Posted by ngochan888@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's freaking stupid and egotistic/pushing for compliments. If you're ugly, deal with it. No need to morph your pics into Miss Universe if you're obviously not, because you're only going to embarrass yourself when other people see the obvious changes and laugh at your desperate stupidity. Well, if you state that you enhanced/morphed your photos, fine. But if you're playing it off as your true self that's pathetic. I can understand minor adjustments (i.e. blemishes, brightness, etc) but major ones just make you look like a desperate wannabe. And so on and so forth.

  • 148 Posted by wintergirl1492 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    I disagree with Sdkidduran's comment that;'Take it from someone who has done photography for quite some time cameras don't lie.' YES they sure do. Always have always will. I have seen pictures of folks that were so good that it didn't look a thing like them. The same for bad photos.It so subjective. Lighting, colors the subjects wearing, type of camera being used. All those things reflect more than just the image the camera takes, it reflects whether a good photograph is captured. Airbrushing is stupid. Its been going on since the 1940's though...and will always be with us. I would hate to be dating through the internet...I can only imagine what really shows up at your door for the 1st date...nothing like the image displayed via the virtual dating site I bet!

  • 151 Posted by favfam@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    Yes we all want to look better in a photo, however at what cost? Are we ready for thr orwelian socitey? We are who we are. Unless you want to look like me and her, and that girl over there and the person sitting next to you, and your next door neighbor. Think about it.

  • 152 Posted by terriewithers@sbcglobal.net on Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:14AM EDT Report Abuse

    There is nothing wrong with wanting to look at a picture of yourself and see perfection. We all have things about us that we don't like and some choose not to do anything about it and some do. Don't knock those who do. I am glad I ran accross this article because I will definitely be getting some touch ups!! I am a nice looking woman but I take the most horrible pictures. To all those who want the touch ups...More power to ya'

  • 153 Posted by oroscojose@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well i went to the photochop website to get a background changed and according to their site's homepage jobs take about an hour. Well i uploaded my pic monday night at 3am and today it is Wednesday 3pm and i still have not gotten anything back from them....When i look up my pic status it keeps saying work in progress...i have e-mailed them and have not recieved an e-mail back....Now i am beginning to wonder if the site is real or just a front to steal people's credit card numbers

  • 154 Posted by ttony.tiger on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    my yahoo pages are not coming in clear. how can i fix it. it also is down loading very slow. Thank you . ttony.tiger@yahoo.com

  • 155 Posted by jr1250@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    What is the fun of having digital if you don't use all its benifets? Jesse Clark

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