Reality, in a sense, is decided by our perception; how we choose to believe, or to not believe the images in front of us. Media contributes in 'reality' by, not decided for us, but providing us with options that we must choose between. Most audiences, which we understand to be uneducated, grasp the concept that media is constructed, whether it be cinema, television or magazines. But where does reality end and construction begin? That is the question that we must unravel for ourselves.
Photograph retouching has become a popular tool used in media sources, specifically, the magazine industry. This retouching exemplifies just how powerful media sources are regarding the distortion of reality. Magazines don't want a cover model that is anything less than perfect, and as the overly used, cliche saying goes, "nobody is perfect". The only method to achieve perfection is to create it. As seen in the photo example above, many hours of work can be put into the alteration of an image. The model's wrinkles are removed, her freckles diminished, and ever her arm is lengthened to appear smaller. With this perfect, non human image now placed on the front page, phrases like "look and feel your hottest" and "love you life" are included just to make sure you get the point; to enjoy yourself, it is imperative to look perfectly... fake.
Although we know the media stretches and contorts reality to their pleasing, it still has an effect on how we think, feel and even act. Females are under the most pressure than ever before. Negative physical, physicological and emotional effects have probably been a popular occurance in the general population now-a-days. The standards for what women are 'aiming' to look like are continually getting more impractical and not to mention impossible. Generally, average citizens do not have the ability to, in a sense, 'customize' themselves so even the idea of perfection is out of reach.
Overall, i feel that image retouching has gone way over the top. As the technology we use becomes more and more dominant in our ever changing lifestyle, a new aspect proves to emerge. The abuse and overuse of this 'skill' (as it is; high paying and quite arduous) will result in an overall corruption of how we view and even react to reality.
As seen above, the ability to distort reality is quite real. Its this ability that will completely alter society's perception, as well as acceptance of reality.
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