Would You Photoshop Yourself?

[anaxcrosswords]

I’m asking this because of something that’s made me a little bit angry. OK, I’m in a band. As part of that, we often upload photos to our website. As it happens, I have no fingers on my left hand and, being the bass player, this is patently obvious in any photos. I hate it, but it’s the way it is. A female member of the band – who, from my perspective, is actually rather lovely – constantly moans about never liking pictures of herself, to the extent that it’s actually a problem for us. We’re very rarely able to find pics to upload which she’s happy with. Over the past day or two she’s sent pics which she’s Photoshopped, whether it’s to adjust her nose, knees or whatever. Frankly it really annoys me. I’d never Photoshop pics of me to create a hand where one doesn’t currently exist. Band photos show me as I am and – even if I don’t like that – I think it would be wrong to create something false.
If you were uploading photos of yourself, especially for commercial purposes, would you use Photoshop to change or enhance anything? And, if so, why?

[Canary42]

No I wouldn't, but lots of women seem to be much more sensitive about their appearance, so in your case I would just let her get on with it - while you just grin and bear it. After all, it's as important to her as your personal integrity is to you.

P.S. Have you ever told her she's rather lovely ?

[FredPuli43]

No. And there have been great musicians who lacked digits. Django Reinhardt, for one. Present yourself as you are.

[Cloverjo]

I don't think it's wrong for her to tweak her nose or knees or whatever in pics. She wants to look her best; a big part of a band is image, especially of the women. If she is rather lovely as you say, there can't be much tweaking needed, whereas putting in fingers would be obvious.
Your question was would "I" photoshop myself in uploaded pics, so no, I wouldn't, too much would need doing. I might as well put another person in.

[Mamyalynne]

I wouldn't - she does as somehow she feels lacking, whereas you don't. It says more about her , do you do live gigs? They will spot any alterations if so.

[anaxcrosswords]

We're gigging all the time Mamyalynne (7 gigs this month), and that's part of what annoys me. Even if I wanted to - which I don't - I could never get away with Photoshopping pics of me to create what isn't there. She may indeed feel she's lacking in some way, with no reason in my opinion, but such petty modifications just seem pointless.
And no, Canary, I haven't said that. Could easily be takken the wrong way!

[Old_Geezer]

If she is photoshopping herself not you, why should you get annoyed ?

She wishes to, you don't, you both get what you want. I would advise lightening up before the blood pressure gets to you.

I have no idea if I would photoshop myself or not; I have no need to upload pictures of myself in the]assumption folk wanted to see them.

[Svejk]

Are you saying that's not you in your Avatar, OG. Very disappointed. ;(

[friedgreentomato]

hell yeah

[murraymints]

Mais oui !! .. of course I would ..and any woman who says otherwise......is fibbing !!!

[Old_Geezer]

Surprisingly it looks like I would on one of my better days; so that's good enough.

[woofgang]

I am a woman, wouldn't photoshop myself and am not lying.....
well I am lying a bit, I have in the past added wings and things like horns and a tail lol.
I think that OG has nailed it best and am not sure why you are angry?

[jno]

nothing very unusual here; Hollywood stars have always had first their appearance improved by careful use of makeup and lighting before being photographed, then the photo itself may be touched up. Nor is there anything unusual in even a band working on its corporate appearance (Kiss didn't really look like that, you know).

If you don't want to, fine. But I can't see any reason for you to get upset because others do differently. Is it because they can and you can't, because "digital digits" would look too obvious in your case?

[AB Editor]

I think it's reasonable to to "polish up" yourself for promo stuff - it might be the main image your "fans" have of you, it might as well be you on "a good day" :)

"Adjusting the knee" however does seem a little excessive! Was it an exposed knobbly-knee? Is so, maybe she needs to wear something longer next time!

[China Doll]

No I wouldn't.... I'd ask my other half to it for me!

[Prudie]

Yes I would. You do realise that pretty much every photo of celebrity women in the press has been retouched? Unless of course she's been deliberately caught looking rough and the DM wants to point it out to us. Perfectly understandable for a woman to want to do that.

[Stephen_G]

The drummer from Def Leppard springs to mind...

Someone asked on here about do you like being photographed, and I said I wasn't photogenic. In answer to your question, ana, No. I wouldn't photoshop myself - I'd be in a band like Slipknot!

[rockyracoon]

Nah, I wouldn't, I'd be too embarrassed if someone pointed the differences out.

[anaxcrosswords]

BTW, Old_Geezer, she did PhotoShop me. In a slightly sarcastic email I suggested she PhotoShop me a left hand; punters might ask questions but, hey, it's all about image, right? Incredibly, she then emailed a pic where she'd done just that. You have to think about that very carefully until you understand the implication of it. I haven't said anything - and won't - but I thought it was the epitome of crassness.

When I originally posted this question it was as a result of that - yes, it did make me a bit angry and I chose to raise the subject here as a harmless alternative to reacting directly to her.

AB - it was her nose I think. A nose which happens to be perfectly lovely the way it is.

[jno]

you asked her to photoshop an image, she complied, and you're blaming her??

As far as I can see, the implication was that she was too polite to ask if you were being serious, and so responded as if you were.

[Brucie97]

I would never do that!