Where do you draw the line on Photoshop?
A few months ago, a friend called me, clearly upset…
"I got my photos back," she moaned.
She'd had family photos done as a gift to her mom, so I automatically assumed they'd turned out badly…
…but that wasn't the issue. The issue was that they were TOO good.
"I'm so airbrushed I look ridiculous! Did they really think I needed that much work done?!?!?"
Ouch…
I have a love/hate relationship with Photoshop.
Obviously, it's an incredible tool, but it's also at least partly responsible for an entire generation of people (ahem - women) who compare their bodies and faces to unreal standards created on a computer screen and feel somehow… less than.
I can't tell you how often I hear "You can just photoshop that out, right?" during a session, almost always intoned in a kidding, but-not-kidding kind of way.
But here's the thing: just because I CAN doesn't mean I WILL.
I'll happily use photoshop to remove leashes and eye boogers and random distractions and the handful of treats creating a bulge in your pocket…
But completely reshaping the body you live in? Removing those crow's feet you've laughed so hard to earn?
Sure, I get everyone in good light and keep an eye on posing. We want to look our best in our pictures, but…
I wish my friend's photographer had talked to her before making the decision to "perfect" her.
Maybe it's less of a “thing” in pet photography. After all, none of my canine clients have ever worried that their collar makes them look fat, but…
Photoshop's a fine line.
Did your dog recently have surgery or blood drawn and now has a shaved ring around his front leg or a shaved belly? Should I fill that in with fur?
What about cataracts? Do you want to see your dog exactly as they are - or would you prefer to see them the way you remember them?
For me, generally if it's temporary (like an eye boogie), I'll Photoshop it. Anything more permanent, I'd defer to my client.
What about you? What do you think is the right call when it comes to Photoshop? I’d love for you to leave a comment below.
