For example, the image on the left shows a model with skinny arms and her ribs on show and the image on the right is the image after being manipulated. the editor has manipulated the image to make the model's breasts appear slightly larger, the editor has made her arms appear thicker and they have made her ribs appear filled out.
The editor has done this in such a way that the model doesn't appear too thin, but the image of the model retains some of her natural looks.
Though there are no legal issues with this, there are a few ethical issues.
For example, the issue of young girls reading the magazine, seeing the photo and striving to look like the model in the manipulated version of the image, without realising what goes on behind the scenes. Without being aware of just how much the image has been tampered with and, how different it is from the real model. This can lead to young girls being overly conscious of their appearance and can have some disturbing results, both physically and psychologically, for the young girl and those around her.
My opinion
While I can see and agree with the ethical issues surrounding manipulated images, I am also aware of what manipulating images can do from a business perspective, such as increasing sales of the product the magazine is advertising. On top of that manipulating images gives you the opportunity to create something beautiful, that doesn't exist and that can't exist.
Put simply- image manipulation software is a powerful tool. It is often used for recreation or education, but some people choose to exploit this software for profit.
I almost fully support the use of manipulated images for fashion magazines, as long as the editor is aware that there is a line which he/she should not cross.
