Having solved world hunger, 50 politicians in the French parliament are wanting to pass a law that could have an effect on any photo being published in France. This “new law” would mandate that any published image would have a bold notice stating that they have been digitally enhanced. Perhaps something like this..
Retouched photograph aimed at changing a person’s physical appearance -Nicolas Sarkozy
Why you ask? It appears that they are attempting to protect the French children from a perverse view of reality. Claiming that…
These photos can lead people to believe in a reality that does not actually exist, and have a detrimental effect on adolescents. Many young people, particularly girls, do not know the difference between the virtual and reality, and can develop complexes from a very young age.
The proposed law would include billboards, news images, packaging, magazines, advertising and the kicker. Wait for it… All artistic photos!
Could you even imagine having to put in the footer of an image that you enhanced the bride digitally. Proposed penalties for non adherence are $50,000 per image or up to 50% of the campaign.
Food for thought as you clone out that zit or liquefy those saddle bags.
P.S. - Dear France please consider exporting a little bit of whatever you’re smoking, it must be some really great stuff.
via|telegraph
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8 Comments at "The French Hate Photoshop"
Will they also be doing the same for Matisse, Renoir and Monet?
How could they possibly enforce this? Furthermore, what constitutes “enhancement”? When I correct for color, contrast, and brightness, aren’t I “enhancing”? The end result will be that every photo will be tagged, for fear of penalty, and then it will have exactly no effect at all. Yet another law that makes a statement but not a difference.
Laws that cannont be enforced and make common activity illegal degrade respect for and adherence to all laws.
I understand, and even whole-heartedly support the proposal in regards to magazine advertisements. Even widely published fashion spreads. The fact of the matter is that eating disorders are rampant due to girls having a distorted view of the “normal” female figure.
That being said, commissioned photographic ART?!? That’s absolutely ridiculous! The bride has a mirror, and is well aware of what she looks like. If you reduce her triple chin, she is aware of it, appreciates it, but certainly doesn’t need the reminder on all of her commissioned work!
First of all, the title is totally inaccurate and nothing more than a shameless attention-getter. It is at least as stupid to talk about “the French” as it is to talk about “the Americans”. The population (around 60 million) is at least as diverse as the US population, and “The French” rarely have an opinion on anything (except maybe George Bush, and I know one who even likes him). I feel certain that they don’t have one on Photoshop. Charles de Galle once said, “How can you govern a country with 400 different cheeses?” (OK, he said it in French).
We’re only talking about 50 politicians here with good but seriously misguided intentions. No country has yet cornered the market in stupid politicians, Congress notwithstanding. I suspect that common sense will prevail even if it isn’t as common as it should be. As others have pointed out, the law would be unenforceable, because how could you way where to draw the line?
Maybe it is because I am French, but I find the idea appealing. Really. Don’t you think they are touching on something important? Are pimples not part of puberty? Do we not help cream makers sell more creams when we have perfect skinned adolescents on a cover?
Cheers!
I think its a very good idea, when young girls are reading these mags well at least they know that some work has been done on the images, dosnt have to be by law, but some publishers might state at the beginning of an arcticle that some models have been made thinner!
[...] We reported last year that France was considering similar legislation that would result in all Photoshoped images appearing in advertisements and magazines to carry a very clear “Altered Image” tag of some sort. [...]
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