Filters and Photoshop
Now ask students what the term “Photoshop” means. Explain that it originally referred to a specific photo-manipulation program but now refers more generally to the act of editing photos, particularly in order to make people look better. Most often, people today use filters such as FaceTune to change their own photos, though Photoshop is still used by commercial artists to retouch photos in ads, magazines, and so on.
Have students access the student chapter Put Your Best Face Forward and go through the Course Presentation activity with the class.
Next, ask students:
Next, ask students:
- When you see models (male or female) in magazines or social media, do you think about how they might have been filtered ? Why or why not?
- Does it change how you see them if you know they’ve been filtered (for example, if you see an unretouched version of the same photo)?
- When you see your friends’ photos, do you think about how they might have been filtered or otherwise manipulated? Does it change how you feel about your own photos
- How do you think people would react if you posted totally casual or un-filtered photos?
- How would you feel if other people you knew started posting totally causal and un-filtered photos?
- Are there apps or social networks that make you feel good about yourself and your body? How are they different?
- Can you think of ways that apps could be re-designed to make users less focused on their and others’ bodies?