Picture Perfect

In the old days, Ads used to be painted not photographed, Vogue covers were painted for years on since it started. However, today it seems that we are falling under more and more pressure of having the perfect look for the perfect pictures.

Looking good has evolved from being genetically blessed with a photogenic face to having a good photo editing program. I being a big supporter of photoshop, without sounding too hypocritical, believe that that picture perfect profile pic has become more of an obsession for this digital generation.

Don't get me wrong, I love me that picture that hides all the flaws and flaunts all the goods, but to an extent, its like hiding some truth from the world. Of course the whole world does not need to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, but how far can you really go?

The perfect camera, the perfect angle, the perfect pose, the perfect colors, the perfect flash settings, the perfect background, all decide to have sex together, have a baby, and that baby is the offspring of an ugly person with the gracious givings of lady manipulation. But, when that child goes to school, and his schoolmates want to meet his parents, what happens? Is he really going to where the "if you think I'm cute you should see my mom" t-shirt?

Even though we're under the pressure of a pressurized airbrush machine that makes everything perfect, how far can we go? Can we reach the point where we see everything through a lens that airbrushes everything and be blinded to reality?

Then we go to the old as time debate: is not telling the whole truth the same as lying? I believe its not so I'll be on the pro team. I believe every person wants to point out their assets. Girl with big boobs will flaunt it, guy with great abs flex it, woman with pretty lips will pout it, etc. they all want to highlight their sell points and hide their flaws. Its human nature, we all know that no one is perfect, but we want the image to be.

Picture this scenario: you walk into a store to buy a coffee machine. Coffee machine happens to be in a box and not on display, but a picture is on the box, and the box highlights that it makes instant coffee in seconds, doesn't require any work, just fill and push the button. You buy, you go home, you try to work it but, its too complicated!! Would you feel cheated? or would you use the rational side of your brain and say: my fault didn't read the whole description and take it out of the box at the store.

Everyone should feel good about themselves even though if that version of themselves is a combination of perfected computer skills. However, EVERYONE should also know that it comes with a warning sign that reads: I'm not telling the whole truth, you should read into me. Who knows, maybe you'd read into it so well you'd make a science or an art out of it: Seeing the other side of the story.