The Anti-Airbrush Movement Grows Stronger

Filed Under: Anglophilia Photoshop Awardz

While we still think it's unlikely that the Brits will be able to ban Photoshopping in fashion magazines. However, it seems as though they've gotten the conversation started and people are listening.

Over-airbrushing is on the outs!

First, we told you about A-list photographer Peter Lindbergh's dissent for the practice of retouching, and his subsequent Harper's Bazaar photoshoot.

Now, another major fashion photographer, David Bailey, is giving his two cents.

He says:

"Do you know, any model over the age of 23 has to be touched up these days. Twenty-three? It’s f*cking ridiculous but that’s what you have to do for American Vogue and it’s getting to be the same over here [in England]. They want shoots that look like a shop window in Knightsbridge. They always have the same kind of dead-looking girls. It isn’t interesting and the girls aren’t interesting. Because they aren’t girls. They’re androids. Airbrushed and cleaned up and not real."

We agree!

What's more, apparently the Coco Sumner LOVE cover we showed you last week was shot without any hair or makeup, and used minimal retouching. Editor-in-chief Katie Grand says, "It's not so retouched. I just wanted to take pictures of iconic people without redrawing them."

It's great to hear the people behind the photos are moving in a more natural direction. As we've all seen, retouching has gotten out of hand and sets a standard of beauty that's literally impossible.

Another step in the right direction!

P.S. All the out of work or soon to be unemployed retouchers can work on fixing every picture of Perez!

[Image via Getty Images.]

Posted: August 22, 2009 at 10:30 am