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Published: 2010-11-29 03:17:17 +0000 UTC; Views: 17065; Favourites: 164; Downloads: 801
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Description
Beware the wall of text that is the story behind me posting this picture.A gorgeous friend recently asked me to photoshop a number of photos of her. She wanted to be skinnier, her chest lifted, her skin tone completely even and that "glowy" effect added. I could do it, I told her, but I didn't want to. She looked amazing just the way she was.
She protested that I photoshop photos of myself before posting them, and that it was fine for supermodels like Jennifer Hawkins to go without touchups, but the average woman looks nothing like that without a little help.
It's all well and good for me to harp on about those who wear too much makeup, those who photoshop their skin till it looks like paper, those who "liquify" their bodies to within an inch of what they actually look like, but when I'm photoshopping and wearing makeup every day, I have no real strength in my argument. The cries of hypocrite are understandable.
So here it is. Unphotoshopped, no makeup. Please note the freckles, the little muffin top and the way the bikini straps create little bulges towards my arms. Oh, and the mismatched swim suit.
From now on, when I tell you you look just as good if not better without having all the life photoshopped out of you, you can't call me a hypocrite. There's nothing wrong with a little meat, a couple of freckles, even (gasp) stretch marks. It took me years to realise that myself, that even though I don't have the figure of Jennifer Hawkins, I can still be beautiful in my own way.
And so can you.
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Comments: 41
DizzyWeb [2018-08-01 13:16:50 +0000 UTC]
No idea who Jennifer Hawkins is, but I just came across this picture while clicking around... please don't ever Photoshop yourself, I agree there is absolutely no need. And this story has made me kind of curious about that friend of yours, though she probably still doesn't believe you Let me guess, she thinks you're prettier, she thinks she still needs Photoshopping, unlike you?
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potente789 [2017-04-11 21:14:22 +0000 UTC]
YOU ARE VERY PRETTY- GOOD PHOTOGRAPHY, KEEP IT UP - CHECK OUT MY WORK - I DO PINUP CARTOONS AND PORTRAITS W/ TRADITIONAL MEDIA
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Meigler [2014-05-14 00:16:02 +0000 UTC]
What a precious picture, i love the way she looks to the camera, a natural beauty.
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Dagwyn [2014-04-19 16:25:36 +0000 UTC]
I really liked the wall of text, and I think it shows courage to have an unaltered image of yourself posted here for all to see. Accepting one's physical "imperfections" and learning to love your body is important, and I wish more people were able to do that. Also, you look wonderful
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ravenheart78 [2014-04-18 03:45:17 +0000 UTC]
this is probably my favorite picture you've taken
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Caverndiver [2013-11-24 22:35:10 +0000 UTC]
I have no idea what you're talking about, you look great.
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Owen-Xanatos [2013-11-22 03:51:45 +0000 UTC]
You look incredible! Β All natural Oh yea and I love the story behind it.
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Secundis [2013-08-26 02:55:20 +0000 UTC]
Gorgeous. Β Natural. Β Perfect just the way you are.
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MorgensternX [2013-04-03 18:28:05 +0000 UTC]
Nope, doesn't seem to detract from the appeal at all.
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Thornderer [2013-03-11 00:45:42 +0000 UTC]
Uhh whoΒ΄s Jennifer Hawkins?IΒ΄d never comment her photos...well unless she photoshopped her pics to look like you
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Jeremi-Eldridge [2012-02-13 02:29:10 +0000 UTC]
A woman who's "real" like this is more awesome than a thousand twigs. Beautiful shot.
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Jarrak [2011-09-22 03:20:25 +0000 UTC]
Beautiful and I agree with you, I never use photo manipulation (although most would argue I should ), I kind of think it's over done but whatever people are comfortable with. Anyway beautiful photo.
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Ardella In reply to Jarrak [2011-09-23 08:45:05 +0000 UTC]
I think manipulation has it's place, but that place is not in making every woman look like a stick figure.
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Jarrak In reply to Ardella [2011-09-23 18:34:23 +0000 UTC]
I agree! Plus real women beat stick figures any day!
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WIDERANGER [2011-05-08 02:09:50 +0000 UTC]
You are obviously are a naturally beautiful woman, and so it's easier for you to be 'brave' like this. I agree with all you say though. I rarely interfere with a person's form (I get rid of zits though), only when I've caused a problem with raking light that highlights irregular skin textures, or where a pose I chose caused some strange distortion sin the image. We need to keep it real, otherwise we end up in a fantasy land. If a model is so concerned with their self image, then they should not be modeling.
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HalquinSmirks [2011-03-03 18:52:37 +0000 UTC]
Seriously, there is absolutely nothing wrong with how you look in this photo. If not for the wall of words, I wouldn't have thought anyone else would have thought so either. In fact you are very pretty.
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meowtant [2010-12-31 04:28:32 +0000 UTC]
Why photoshop such a naturally beautiful woman? *sigh* Truly stunning just as you are...
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S73L105 [2010-12-20 21:14:41 +0000 UTC]
I see that which you speak of; the body of the goddesses as portrayed by the greeks..before the romans photoshop'd them lol...
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julius-seize-her [2010-11-29 11:27:10 +0000 UTC]
You are amazing.
You are lovely.
I L word thee!
And you know I mean LESBONICRAPE.
<3 Your message is wonderful.
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Ardella In reply to B4nds-r0ck [2010-11-29 05:26:19 +0000 UTC]
I think you mean "oh god not more Bec".
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Ardella In reply to beethy [2010-11-29 04:20:43 +0000 UTC]
Sure, and it has it's place. Turning people into barbie dolls is not one of them, in my opinion. Flaws can be exactly what makes a person beautiful.
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beethy In reply to Ardella [2010-11-29 04:27:38 +0000 UTC]
Flaws are what makes a person a person... they're called flaws because they're generally not liked. By other people and the person themselves.
In photographs if someone is posing in a model-esque manner... and they're not suited due to 'flaws' then they will be scrutinised for them.
There's a reason why only the hottest of the hot get paid for standing around/getting their photos taken and average/ugly people don't.
However I personally don't mind photos of normal looking people as long as it feels 'real' or meaningful and it's not just them trying to look pretty or whatever.
Cuz that's always bullshit regardless of how good a person looks.
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Ardella In reply to beethy [2010-11-29 04:46:01 +0000 UTC]
There is, however, a difference between minor retouching to remove, say, a pimple, and turning a person into plastic. The problem arises when the "hottest of the hot" are considered to be stick thin, super tall women who are then photoshopped to the point where no healthy person could achieve that image. They're then flaunted around as the "ideal" or "right" way to look. And THAT is bullshit.
Don't get me wrong, an ugly fatty is still an ugly fatty. But an otherwise healthy looking girl of average height who looks in the mirror and can't see anything good about herself because she's comparing herself to the unrealistic images she sees in magazines is wrong. And I know a lot of people like that.
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drhobo1987 [2010-11-29 03:48:19 +0000 UTC]
I think that a lot of things you mentioned are maybe, the best touch of uniqueness and beauty out there (e.g: Freckles. it seems that everybody hates them . I think they are cute.)
Perfect skin which looks like a blank paper is... boring (and by this I don't mean the skin color).
Really, natural look > all. Something that is "common" actually turns into something rare if everyone else want to look like a celebrity.
And Jennifer Hawkings doesnΒ΄t look thaaat good.
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Ardella In reply to drhobo1987 [2010-11-29 04:22:57 +0000 UTC]
Even clebrities don't look like celebrities. They have an entourage of people dedicated to making them look the way the public expects them to look. Immaculate and flawless.
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Ardella In reply to sineann [2010-11-29 03:23:57 +0000 UTC]
Thanks, the message was the important part.
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Ardella In reply to pangolin1 [2010-11-29 03:24:28 +0000 UTC]
Oooh, applause. I could get used to that.
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