Your opinion on CD's altering their pics in Photoshop

[Zylia]

So how does everybody feel about crossdressers altering their pictures in Photoshop (or another graphics editing program for that matter)? And I don't mean some color balance adjustment, but genuinely altering how they look, like slimming down the waist a few extra inches, stretching the legs, cleaning up the makeup and generally making themselves less masculine in the picture.

I ask this because while browsing the picture gallery on this forum, I stumbled upon a few CD's who did alter their images to this extent without really being open about it, and people don't seem to comment on it, maybe because they're not aware of it.

Personally, I'm of the 'live and let live' persuasion and I don't consider CD's doctoring their images quite as harmful as what beauty magazines do to their models. Still, when everyone else on this forum does their best to look amazing or simply accepts their shortcomings, I can't help but feel a bit cheated by it. I also feel bad for those who may get the wrong impression.

Just to be clear: cropping or straightening photos, correcting the color balance or 'de-emphasizing' some of the distracting ugly spots is not what I meant. We all should do that.

[Deedee Skyblue]

I've used a program to lighten some pictures, adjust the balance, get rid of wild hair that stuck out, change the background. I've used it to lighten the area around my eyes, and to minimize beard shadow. I don't feel bad about doing those things, I often but not always mention it with the post. There are some really good photo manipulators here (I remember somebody standing in front of Stargate Atlantis, I think it was, looking like she was there!). I've noticed some of the things you have noticed. I don't feel cheated, though, I like looking at pictures of cute women.

Deedee ;)

[linda allen]

"like slimming down the waist a few extra inches, stretching the legs, cleaning up the makeup and generally making themselves less masculine in the picture."

No need to stop there, just put your face on a hot body!

I crop my photos, adjust them to vertical if necessary (camera wasn't level), adjust the color balance and brightness, and if necessary, remove clutter in the background like light switches or trees that seem to be growing out of my head, but for photos posted here, I haven't adjusted my body or my face. What you see is what I looked like at that instant only smaller.

I mentioned this on another thread, but it seems some folks use photos of other women as their avatar photos. I understand using artwork, cartoon characters, etc. because you don't want to put your face on the Internet, but this seems a little less than honest to me. When I see an avatar, if it's a real person, I tend to assume it's an image of the person making the post and I'm making a mental image based on that photo.

[Angela Campbell]

Geez...I wouldn't know how to do any of that stuff. I can crop a pic but that is about it. Too much trouble.

[Marleena]

I've always posted them as is Zylia. I suck at photography and photoshop. I only took a few pics at a time so up they went. As for the other girls it really doesn't matter to me what they do.

Oh...I lost all my pics I took so my avatar and profile pic are pictures I recovered, they do look "stretched".

[Lori B]

The website "faceinhole" is a hoot! :heehee:......let your imagination run wild!

[Angela Campbell]

Actually the only decent pics of me are usually the ones other people take. I can never seem to take a decent pic of myself for some reason.

[reb.femme]

I use GIMP, a freebie download like Photoshop. My pics have a tattoo removed from my arm, purely as it does help to identify me somewhat........in addition to my face being on show to the world but makeup changes me a lot :)

i.e. My last pic post shows the many scars on my legs and arms from a recent medical issue, not covered up by said programme. So not done for any other reason, such as vanity etc. :o

"Warts and all" is a saying in the UK for showing everything, even the bad bits. It is a quote attributed to Oliver Cromwell and I use it on my web site.

It states,.......... Therefore, I am presented here in the same style that Oliver Cromwell requested of his portrait painter, "I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me ... warts and everything".

Rebecca

[Julie Denier]

I crop, color-correct and adjust brightness, but otherwise shun photo manipulation -- I think it's a better gauge of our skill and development ;)

[Lori B]

Taaz is another fun site to see how you would look in different hairstyles and makeup combinations

[Zylia]

Deedee and linda listed a few things that I consider perfectly acceptable, I crop and straighten and adjust the color balance too and I think that a lot more people should do that. It's making yourself look better by improving the picture. What I'm not a fan of is making the picture look better by improving yourself in it. I wouldn't mind it at all if they just outright mentioned it, but that's what usually doesn't happen.

[Lacyfem]

Not all cameras take a perfect picture exposure and contrast wise. Also, a lot could do with a little cropping as would love to see more of you and less of the kitchen or the living room. If you're standing take the photo vertically and not horizontally and if lying down take it horizontally. After a bit of exposure and contrast a little retouching may be in order as every beautiful model you see in the magazines is made even more beautiful by a bit of photoshop retouching. From what I can see this is not a dating site and if it was perhaps you'd like to see the real unretouched woman which would make sense so there would be no surprises on a date. Me I don't care, have fun retouching and enhancing your fem qualities all you want.

[Lorileah]

I hate when Cosmo and Maxim and Playboy and every other magazine and web site in the world removes blemishes and wrinkles, makes Christie Brinkley look 30 again, Makes Demi Moore look like she never had children...No I don't. A little touch up is like using concealer. Removing a wrinkle or blemish isn't a bad thing.

Candid photos are often not totally flattering. And what do you care anyway? They are the ones who have to live with it.

If you meet these people in real like you will quickly see what they really look like. My avatar and profile pics were professionally done. Not retouched but believe me getting to that pose took a lot longer than modifying the photo ever would (and yes I have added backgrounds for others with PS and airbrushed them)

[Jolene Robertson]

Hi Zylia,

To use Julie's line "I crop, color-correct and adjust brightness,and size but otherwise shun photo manipulation -- I think it's a better gauge of our skill and development " even then if I did any of the above I state it in the post. WYSIWYG sorry just little Ole me.

[Zylia]

And what do you care anyway?
Can't say I don't care, otherwise I wouldn't have written a post about it. But like I said, I feel a bit cheated and I feel bad for people who get the wrong impression.

It also stroke me as odd that hardly anyone ever comments on it, so that's why I am wondering what to do, for example, when someone doctors some 'amazing' legs under her dress: Should I just pretend they're actually hers and make compliments, or is it OK to try and make a snarky remark about how anatomy actually works?

[Lacyfem]

Lori you are so right... I've worked with some of the best makeup artists there are.... $1500 a day and more.... it's amazing and they can make a real dog look like a princess. So really make up would be no different than using photoshop in certain applications as once applied lets hope you look a lot better than without or why do it. That said Lorileah you look wonderfutl!

[Gretchen_To_Be]

Zylia, I think any major alterations to images should come with disclaimers. We poor sods who will never look so good and rely on natural photos might get discouraged otherwise. And I agree with Julie that it challenges us to get better.

[Michelle (Oz)]

I'm in the colour correct adjust contrast camp (using Lightroom 4) but no changes to self. Mind you I won't post a close up photo - too many wrinkles and other blemishes. Still, that's me. I do like to add some background to my photos to see the context and add interest. For example, my avatar was taken in the Sculpture Garden at the National Gallery.

[mariehart]

I wish I could use photoshop but I'm clueless about all that computer stuff and I speak as someone who worked for IBM for seven years. With me, WYSIWYG.

[Cindy M]

My pics are always me. Nothing spectacular... unaltered... just me out in the world having fun. My wife usually takes 15-20 while I'm out. When I get home and load them on my computer, there's usually 2 or 3 I like enough to keep and sometimes share here.

Cindy

[linda allen]

I wish I could use photoshop .............

There are plenty of computer programs other than Photoshop that allow cropping, color correction, and more. They are cheaper and easier to use and still offer the basic features I mentioned in my previous post. Some are even free or come with your camera. I currently use Corel PaintShop Pro X4 and I probably use about 20% of its capabilities

Most of us use makeup before we take our photos. That's what most GGs do every day. I think most of us agree that this is fine but doing the same thing after the fact with software is a little over the line.

[Rebecca Watson]

I do the necessary photo selection and cropping, but other than that, all my photos are unmodified. My photos on Facebook are usually taken with my mobile and uploaded straight without any modification. All of them are imperfect in some way. But, if you meet me, this is what you will see.

I don't think I'd want to post touched-up images; it's not really why I'm here. I guess it's unsurprising that people post Photoshopped images; it makes me feel slightly better knowing that mine aren't.

- Becky

[Marleena]

It also stroke me as odd that hardly anyone ever comments on it, so that's why I am wondering what to do, for example, when someone doctors some 'amazing' legs under her dress: Should I just pretend they're actually hers and make compliments, or is it OK to try and make a snarky remark about how anatomy actually works?

Zylia there are some guys here that are gifted with great legs. I hope I don't need to be concerned there are fakes among them. There was a recent thread where I posted mine, and the only edit done was by a friend to remove a hanging corset string from my picture. Everybody kept commenting on the hanging string.:)

I think the vast majority of photos in the gallery are very honest and well done.

[Tracii G]

I tried photoshop a few times and could never do anything with it but ruin a picture.
Too damn hard to use so I don't.
What you see is the real me.I do crop pics so they aren't too big or something is in the pic thats not allowed on this site.

[AllieSF]

Zylia, it does bother you and you cannot just live and let live. My recommendation is to practice what you first preached. Who really cares, and how have you been cheated? You didn't buy anything, nor invested anything besides your time. There are probably a lot of pics here that we think are of the member and are really of someone else. So what? Just ignore it and accept the fact that some pics have been altered and as long as that person is happy, let them be happy and celebrate their happiness. It may prevent ulcers that way.

[Jadeanne]

I think that everyone should do what they like about editing photos they post here.

I haven't posted pictures or changed my avatar in a few years.

Since then, I have become a photography enthusiast and now use Lightroom5 and Photoshop Elements11 to edit the photos I take with my DSLR.

If I start posting photos here again and go very much beyond color balance/crop/straighten I will include a line in the post that I did so and might include before and after versions.

[Candice Mae]

Candice's youtube videos prove her figure is real, can photoshop a video.

[Beth Wilde]

Just cropped, though I usually take a large batch of pics and choose the nicest one.....

[docrobbysherry]

U feel cheated, Zylia? When and how? Did u meet the person in the pic and they looked; much older, homelier, fatter? Well, that happens to me ALL THE TIME! As I'm dating GG women I meet on line. Can't tell u the last time one of them looked just like her photos. But, I don't feel cheated. Most r simply trying to present their best image possible. And, the same is tru for most of the girls here!

Can't say I don't care, otherwise I wouldn't have written a post about it. But like I said, I feel a bit cheated and I feel bad for people who get the wrong impression.

It also stroke me as odd that hardly anyone ever comments on it, so that's why I am wondering what to do, for example, when someone doctors some 'amazing' legs under her dress: Should I just pretend they're actually hers and make compliments, or is it OK to try and make a snarky remark about how anatomy actually works?
Look, if u want to make snarky remarks, check out Sherry's pics and fire away. She's used to it! As for disclaimers, I wear masks to look better. But, just for your info. While I DO edit most of my pics and use every physical trick I can think of, I don't own Photoshop or similar soft ware.

[Deedee Skyblue]

Picasa is free, and easy to use, and three things that are really easy to do are:

lighten a dark picture

rotate a picture 90 degrees.

crop.

Deedee

[Sami]

I can see the point here, for me I accept my pictures as is if they look shit I learn to do a better job on my outfit and make up etc, all my pictures are 100% me with no photoshop, I can't tell either really if someone has used photoshop, whats the point its not potraying a true image. If I nail a look I get a buzz out of it after all whats the point in doing make up etc if you going to photoshop the image it is cheating a wee bit I think just my opinion

[Tess]

This is the digital age. Anything in a digital format may have been modified in some way. For some of us crossdressing is living a fantasy so why shouldn't the photos alter reality too. The technology gives us all the power do whatever we please with our image and only someone that knows us or the NSA will know the difference.

[Ressie]

I took photoshop in '97 and installed it on my computer. But the upgrades have been too expensive so now I use Gimp. But I don't use it to manipulate my photos. What I do is suck my stomach in the best I can as the timed option takes the photo. I go thru about 30-40 pics to select a good one for my profile and avatar. Cropping out background, increasing exposure and contrast is done with most of my photos.

I ran into a CD online a couple of years ago that claimed she went to a specialist to get a makeover and photo shoot. I couldn't believe how fantastic her body looked as she was in my age group. I took me a while to conclude that her face was attached to women's bodies. That is deceptive, but maybe it made her happy, idk. Yes, we learned that technique in the class I took, and it's tedious work to really pull it off.

[Sami]

I also see the point that when people ask for an opinion on a picture if its been heavily doctored with photoshop why ask for an opinion as the image isn't a true image anyway, each to their own I guess I am still looking and can't find any in the picture forums.

[AmyGaleRT]

All I do with my photos is crop and resize them. You get the unmodified Amy. :)

- Amy

[Princess Chantal]

I recall several years ago when I was accused of photoshopping the background setting in my pictures, just cause "crossdressers don't go to those busy places in real life". The places were like festivals (Folklorama and the Fringe) and I wore clothes like jeans skirts at that time. Just because I did not become defensive, I was deemed guilty by those folks. Would be interesting to see what that group would accuse me of now LOL

[Cara Lacey]

I usually take 10 or so pictures and select the best of the bunch. Then I crop, and size them.

Personally, I see no difference in what I do than some one who uses Photo Shop. I am only selecting pictures that have just the right lighting, and are just the right distance to make me look good. But I know, deep in my heart, that i really look like that old haggy woman in those pictures I do not use.

I discovered this while watching myself on a video of a Miss CGS pageant.
I noticed, that most of the crossdressers, including me, really didn't move, sound, or look like actual women.

But I had a good time. :)

Before there was photo shop there were air brushes.
The technique may have changed, but the beat goes on.

[AllieSF]

Personally, I see no difference in what I do than some one who uses Photo Shop. I am only selecting pictures that have just the right lighting, and are just the right distance to make me look good. But I know, deep in my heart, that i really look like that old haggy woman in those pictures I do not use.

That is a very good point. Maybe we should just be required to post all the pics, good and bad, just to make a few happy that we are not "cheating". Hell, I am cheating every time I get dressed as a woman, and I truly do love and enjoy it.

[betty1253]

This is an interesting question. Sometimes it is fun give yourself a little "help". You do need to learn to be subtle with retouching.
Many portrait photographers do things like skin softening, blemish removal, eye and teeth whitening, etc. They are trying to sell there work and these things help. If you know how to do this, why shouldn't you do this for your efforts to present as female?

I used to use Portrait Professional in the female mode, but the results could be a little strange at times. The other techniques I mentioned work better and are more natural.

Also, learning to use lighting is a huge help. I use 2 studio lights with softboxes. The softer shadows really enhance your looks. Because of this I seldom do much to the pics posted here.

And girls, PLEASE think about what is in the frame when you take photos. Seeing all kinds of junk around you in a pic does nothing to enhance your femininity.

My 2 cents,
Betty

[MysticLady]

Hi Everybody.

I would say mine is very altered:heehee:. Let's see, I'm wearing a wig, make up, jewelry, my nails are long, I have a girls top on and I think I was wearing a skirt and some flats at the time. And I have a Glass of Iced Coffee(Leona):heehee:. Anyway, I'm just an altered kind if Girl:D

[lingerieLiz]

What? That's not really the way some members look? WoW! I've been trying for weeks to loos 20 pounds and now I learn that all I have to do is morph myself with a young beautiful woman.

Just to let you know retouching a face for a cosmetic ad takes about 8 hours. If you aren't an accomplished Photoshop diva you can get them retouched for $8 to less than $50. You will be amazed at what they can do. Many photographers including several famous ones I know outsource their images.

[Jocelyn Quivers]

Cropping is the extent of my photo altering abilities. The other poor man's/woman's editing consist of being seated to disguise or diminish male size, and avoiding shots that show my side profile which again emphasizes too much of male features. Never going to use anyone else's body or that of GG with my face posted on it. I've worked to hard for my body to do otherwise.

[~Joanne~]

Here are the things I may or may not do to My pictures:

Crop: to take out ANYTHING that may identify Me, or my house
Resize: because they are bigger than this forum allows (and sometimes resizing them alters their look)
Lighten: because I get so many different pictures due to the natural light dimming or brightening
Sharpen: After I lighten them they may need to be sharpened a bit
Fixes: remove a string I didn't know was hanging from the top or skirt, or to remove a "fuzz ball of light" or dust, or to cover something because the skirt rode up lol

For the most part though, my pictures are mainly unaltered other than the crop.

I have played and played with the settings on my camera since I got this new one and sometimes I get unwanted effects. Like something will be smoother than it should or it is really fuzzy, If it's a nice picture to begin with (because I can take 100 and get about 2 that please me) then I will do whatever to make it presentable, not to "cheat" anyone.

Since most of what is seen HERE on the forum is from my neck down, hardly anything past crop is preformed on them. My legs are my legs and so on. I have a few very close friends that have seen full pics and believe me, I wish I had altered them sometimes lol

[Wildaboutheels]

This IS the Internet. And the type of Forum makes no difference. I think it's prudent to never trust ANY image as "accurate" or authentic unless and until you meet someone face to face. Besides, it does not really matter here does it, unless one is looking for a date here?

As an aside, anyone can have "better" pics w/o any fancy editing or an expensive camera with nothing more than proper LIGHTING. A couple or 3 cheap clamp lights and a little reading on LIGHTING can knock an easy five years if not 10 off of most people's appearance.

"Good/proper" lighting is THE foundation for any good photograph regardless of the subject matter.

[Tina B.]

Women hide there flaws with make up, hair dye, and control garments such as girdles, padded bras, and padded panties, so if I guy needs to use photoshop, is it really all that different. Everyone wants to be seen in the best light.
No I don't, but only because I don't know how.

[reb.femme]

Just cropped, though I usually take a large batch of pics and choose the nicest one.....

And this really is the best method of all. Serves me well :heehee:

As WAH said, lighting is everything. My worst crime too.

Rebecca

[natalialimapoa]

I cant say for everyone, but in my case, I like to see how I look with more feminine features using Photoshop but I just do it for myself. You have to accept your real look anyway.

[Khaleesi81]

As most of my photos are usually taken with a camera phone, the lighting isn't too great, so I adjust the levels, colour balance etc in photoshop. Also cropping means more of me and less of the room. (Usually there's a pile of makeup and clothes just out of shot!)

I will take a few pictures and select the best one. Also something that I don't think has been mentioned- learning how to pose! Standing in a manly way with legs apart won't do you too many favours, legs together, slight tilt of the hips makes a difference. And choice of clothes.. Argh there's so much to consider! But I love it.

[BOBBI G.]

I was a professional photographer for a good portion of my life, and now am retired to the semi-pro (amateur) status. I have never taken a good self shot, Maybe just more critical than on my commissioned work, but I sue photoshop a lot. Doing all the regular stuff plus I will always remove a lot of the roadmap on my face and neck. Outside of the vanity factor, it is a better photo, almost wdorthy of public viewing.

Bobbi

[Zylia]

U feel cheated, Zylia? When and how? Did u meet the person in the pic and they looked; much older, homelier, fatter? Well, that happens to me ALL THE TIME! As I'm dating GG women I meet on line. Can't tell u the last time one of them looked just like her photos. But, I don't feel cheated. Most r simply trying to present their best image possible. And, the same is tru for most of the girls here!


This IS the Internet. And the type of Forum makes no difference. I think it's prudent to never trust ANY image as "accurate" or authentic unless and until you meet someone face to face.

Well, how this usually works is you look at a picture and something seems off, and then you start to pay attention to details and you may notice physical improbabilities, or simply just artifacts of the editing process like blurred pixels/edges, cloned areas, etc. To use a suitable metaphor: not unlike a CD that's trying to 'pass' on the streets but gets read because one detail isn't exactly right and subsequently the whole illusion falls apart. You don't necessarily have to know how the CD looks 'undressed' to read her.

What people generally do is taking dozens of pictures and picking the one in which they look the most favorable. Somehow that doesn't really seem to be the same thing as a person altering his or her own appearance in a picture to look better, but your mileage may vary. A line seems to be crossed, but I'm not sure where to draw it.

[Druscilla Supernovae]

I'm not too keen on photo alteration. I love using my film camera and just getting some good ole fashioned film photos untouched.

[noeleena]

Hi.

Im a photographa a true'st what i see is true to form & what the camara takes is just that. no cooking or other detail done.

my pic = avatar is what Jos took of myself plus one other of Jos & i some where on here, & come to think of it Kaylyn our daughter took that one , & thats all i could get up on here, any others will be the same on other forums .under noeleena.

...noeleena...

[Beverley Sims]

I think it is the same as all the other lies we tell on the internet.
Information you withhold is like lying as well.
I have been known to stretch a point from time to time. :)

[Marleena]

Since most of what is seen HERE on the forum is from my neck down, hardly anything past crop is preformed on them. My legs are my legs and so on. I have a few very close friends that have seen full pics and believe me, I wish I had altered them sometimes lol

It's too bad it's come to this but I can vouch for Joanne, she is the real deal as I've seen her unaltered photos. Ohh..and she has no reason to hide her face.:) She does have great legs too.

She can also vouch for me as she's seen my unedited but cropped leg photo (I removed the upper half of my body) and she removed the corset string I got teased about. She also saw an extreme closeup of my face (current avatar).

I see no reason for anybody to change anything they're doing as far as pictures are concerned. Keep doing your own thing and keep posting pics.:)

[Lynn Marie]

I never post to the picture gallery. I find Flickr to be a much better place to showcase those few lucky shots when the camera and I are communicating! Flickr also allows me to present a profile and contacts that gives the viewer a much better idea of who I am and the friends I cultivate. I only crop, resize, and adjust exposure as necessary. I use clothing and makeup to hide my deficiencies and accentuate my more fortunate attributes.

[Deedee Skyblue]

So we've seen the whole range here - from people who don't alter their pictures to people who alter them to make them look as good as possible. Some people don't like that, others don't care, and some really enjoy looking at altered pics.

I think the best advice is: Don't trust everything you see on the Internet - but unless you think someone is deliberately trying to deceive you for some nefarious purpose, either enjoy looking at the photos, or be amused when you see obvious alterations, and go on to the next picture.

Deedee

[Jana]

Other than my wife, no one else knows about me and I don't want to be outed via internet. So, the only picture I have posted to date is on my profile, sans doctoring, except for a blurred out face for the aforesaid reason. If I did post regularly, though, I wouldn't alter my face or body. It's just silly, and unless done by a very skilled person, the results look every bit what they are: fake.

[Zylia]

I think the best advice is: Don't trust everything you see on the Internet - but unless you think someone is deliberately trying to deceive you for some nefarious purpose, either enjoy looking at the photos, or be amused when you see obvious alterations, and go on to the next picture.
Thanks for your insightful words Deedee, I can't say I disagree and I may actually follow your advice :D

Still I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who prefers a more 'warts and all' Dove advertisement approach.

[NicoleScott]

Let's see. Males transforming our appearance into [hopefully] looking female using shapewear, wigs, fake nails & eyelashes, and makeup. Why would removing a wrinkle using photo-editing software be such a big deal? Does this "deception" idea make women dishonest because they use concealer? Is it dishonest to post an avatar pic that's not you? Unlike gender, is honesty binary?

[Tamara Croft]

Well, how this usually works is you look at a picture and something seems off, and then you start to pay attention to details and you may notice physical improbabilities, or simply just artifacts of the editing process like blurred pixels/edges, cloned areas, etc.

And some of those pictures look like that because if they've been posted via the forum attachments, the forum will resize them to 75% quality, not saying that for all pictures, but for a majority of them. And pray tell how do you feel cheated?? It's not like you know these people, they aren't your bff's etc... they are here to post pictures in anyway they deem fit to post them and there are NO rules to say they can't edit the hell out of them.

My advice, stop analyzing the pictures and enjoy them... besides, it's creepy!!

Well said Nicole :)

[sheilagirl]

"Making the best with what you're given" and just like lipstick, a little Technology goes a long way.

[Zylia]

And some of those pictures look like that because if they've been posted via the forum attachments, the forum will resize them to 75% quality, not saying that for all pictures, but for a majority of them. And pray tell how do you feel cheated?? It's not like you know these people, they aren't your bff's etc... they are here to post pictures in anyway they deem fit to post them and there are NO rules to say they can't edit the hell out of them.

My advice, stop analyzing the pictures and enjoy them... besides, it's creepy!!

Sorry but you seem rather defensive here. I just pointed out something I noticed, asked others about their opinion and gave my own opinion on it. I'm here to learn and admire other people practicing the 'art' of cross-dressing, not someone's Photoshop skills. I understand that there are no rules forbidding it and the community seems to be split on whether or not it's 'acceptable' here anyway, so I'll just ignore the threads with doctored images. My opinion has been proven wrong! Thanks!

[Georgia_Maine]

I, too, am in the only crop, straighten, adjust lighting/contrast camp. I will admit that I've cloned out flash glare on my glasses and bruises on my legs at times. Oh, and I brighten my teeth, too. Otherwise what you see is me, wrinkles, warts and all. Still, if some ladies here feel the need to modify their features more, it up to them. The photos belong to them after all.

[Kali]

Crop, resize, adjust color balance, and edit out anything clearly identifying.

My full body pictures always look odd to me because I have this fat body and skinny legs, but when I look in the mirror, those chicken legs are still there.

I just need to figure out what it is about some bras and some photo angles that make my boobs look gigantic in some pictures and proportional in others. Same boobs all the time, but you would think I was going through a giant collection of forms for the fun of it.

[MysticLady]

I vote we all post of picture of us when we first get out of bed. That way, we'll all be the same. No more whining.:D

[Ressie]

What is the intention of photoshopping? If the intent is harmless, why should anyone care? If you're trying to get a date and drastically changing your appearance, that's deception. Georgia whitened her teeth with photo editing software. Others do it with whitening strips. Wouldn't it be nice if breast enhancement was the same cost as whitening strips?

[docrobbysherry]

--------------------------------------- so I'll just ignore the threads with doctored images. My opinion has been proven wrong! Thanks!
Nonsense, Zylia! Opinions r like noses. Everyone has one. Since it IS your opinion it can't be wrong. Unpopular, maybe.

I feel u r as entitled as anyone here to express yours!

[Tracii G]

I don't get it really what harm is there? Let people photoshop their pics if they want to.

[~Joanne~]

It's too bad it's come to this but I can vouch for Joanne, she is the real deal as I've seen her unaltered photos. Ohh..and she has no reason to hide her face.:) She does have great legs too.

She can also vouch for me as she's seen my unedited but cropped leg photo (I removed the upper half of my body) and she removed the corset string I got teased about. She also saw an extreme closeup of my face (current avatar).


Thank You Marleena :D I appreciate Your kind words and support.

I just listed what I may or may not do to my pictures to reply to this post honestly and the OP isn't completely wrong but at the same time isn't completely right either. She has her view on altering pictures and everyone has their own. Anyone that removes blemishes or spots or whatever they chose doesn't make them fake or "cheating" anyone, that's absurd.

Yes, I did remove that corset string because you have very nice legs and I got tired of people teasing you about one silly string that went about it's own business and making that the focal point of the picture ;) Doesn't make the picture any more real or fake because a string is missing lol


there are NO rules to say they can't edit the hell out of them.

My advice, stop analyzing the pictures and enjoy them... besides, it's creepy!!


I also agree with Tamara 100%, it's beyond creepy that someone is looking at a picture that closely.

Now I want to edit the hell out of my pictures lol

[Zylia]

I also agree with Tamara 100%, it's beyond creepy that someone is looking at a picture that closely.
Some people may have made the wrong assumption here. One does not have to go through the forums looking at all the pictures counting the pixels to spot some obvious tinkerers. It's just as simple as noting that a leg doesn't seem to be attached at the hip. That may be a result of a traffic incident, or maybe it's really just the result of someone playing with some of the tools in an editor. I'll just assume it's the former from now on :D

[MysticLady]

maybe it's really just the result of someone playing with some of the tools in an editor. I'll just assume it's the former from now on :D

I got an idea, Let's see who can make the funniest picture using these programs and let's have a vote. I think this will be cool. Problem is , I don't have a program and would probably waste a lifetime trying to figure it out. I still can't type w/o looking at the keyboard......Duh. I know, I'm slow but, that's me :p

[~Joanne~]

It's just as simple as noting that a leg doesn't seem to be attached at the hip. That may be a result of a traffic incident, or maybe it's really just the result of someone playing with some of the tools in an editor. I'll just assume it's the former from now on :D

lol I have never seen a picture on here where a leg , or any other body part, wasn't attached where it was suppose to be.

[katlee]

Isn't the idea of the Tazz makeover program or just the idea of putting on make-up creating a more "idealized" female image? I for one approve the use of photoshop to create this image as is the use of any enhancers such as breast forms, hip pads, fake-eye lashes, and any other physical tricks we have in the purse :-P

[Linda-x]

I can imagine a sense of fairness coming into play here. I was watching a girlfriend of mine "play" with her photos with photoshop. I said, " that's not fair! I have to work at it to keep a resonable figure, and the time, money, and skill to do good makeup, and all the fussing to get everything to fit, and look right! Now you just go and make everything perfect with a mouse, and keyboard!" Oh well, I guess life is not fair. :-).

[Tamara Croft]

Some people may have made the wrong assumption here. One does not have to go through the forums looking at all the pictures counting the pixels to spot some obvious tinkerers. It's just as simple as noting that a leg doesn't seem to be attached at the hip.LOL seriously?? Ok, seems you have a problem with members who aren't being honest... this is quite laughable seeing as they are CD'ers... and quite frankly, I still think it's creepy that you're spending so much time looking at pictures to pick fault like that, wth are you doing?? using a magnifying glass to see if you can see something else?? tut tut... I'd stop that if I were you ;)

[MysticLady]

LOL seriously?? Ok, seems you have a problem with members who aren't being honest... this is quite laughable seeing as they are CD'ers...

Hey, no hitting below the belt. BTW, That actually hurts....yeaouwza :heehee:




LOL and quite frankly, I still think it's creepy that you're spending so much time looking at pictures to pick fault like that, wth are you doing??

Gee, I hope I covered up all my Zits. This plaster stuff is pretty cool.:heehee:

[Debra Russell]

The website "faceinhole" is a hoot! :heehee:......let your imagination run wild!

Lori I posted a pic totally shopped using "faceinhole" on your thread "Another Drive By" not intended to fool anybody and modestly presented -- and was delited by mods ! It was totally meant as an example of having fun by "shopping" your photos.
.............What are the peramators?....mods? as long as dishonesty is not involved , I think we all realize when it's done........................Debra

what was the big deal...........the face is all mine - untouched, the body - I wish
207996

[Zylia]

LOL seriously?? Ok, seems you have a problem with members who aren't being honest... this is quite laughable seeing as they are CD'ers... and quite frankly, I still think it's creepy that you're spending so much time looking at pictures to pick fault like that, wth are you doing?? using a magnifying glass to see if you can see something else?? tut tut... I'd stop that if I were you ;)
Oh wait, you're NOT supposed to look at the pictures other people post? That might explain a thing or two ;) And I seriously never considered the concept of a dishonest CD being dishonest, thanks for that, I think I'm going to give it a rest now :D

[Jaymees22]

I crop my photos to make them smaller to upload them. Otherwise it's pretty much me, I cheat a little and use tape to create a temporary face lift, that's why I always wear bangs. I really don't think it matters what methods one uses to get their best look as long as your happy with it and happy with yourself. Jaymee

[Erica Marie]

My theory is that I can not alter myself for the real world so why do it in photos.

[MysticLady]

I think we all realize when it's done........................Debra

what was the big deal...........the face is all mine - untouched, the body - I wish


Nice Necklace......................:o:heehee:

[carhill2mn]

I understand wanting to have a photo of one's self look as good as possible. Adjusting light, contrast and color depth is sometimes needed to offset bad lighting at the time the photo was taken.

I do have a problem with people altering their photos so that the photo does not really represent the real person. I frequently see situations where one's avatar looks totally different from the photos of that person when they are displayed.

Obviously, if one has had a makeover the result will not look like that person normally does. I think that a real-life photo helps me to get a "feel" for a person.

[Tamara Croft]

Oh wait, you're NOT supposed to look at the pictures other people post?God no :eek: some of them are wayy too hot :eek: :D


I think I'm going to give it a rest now :DI like the banter, it's not very often I post on the forums :D I hope you didn't edit that profile picture lol ;)

[Deedee Skyblue]

I still think it's creepy that you're spending so much time looking at pictures to pick fault like that

I could point you to a dozen pictures which are obviously altered, and it doesn't take a magnifying glass to see it. You don't have to stare at these pictures and analyze them pixel by pixel to notice, if you have experience at this kind of thing - which many people do. I personally find these things kind of amusing.

When I'm reading, when I run into a word that is misspelled, or misused, I am totally unable NOT to notice - it is outside my control. When I am looking at a picture that is obviously altered, I am unable NOT to notice - it is outside my control as well. What I control is how I react to it. I react badly to misspellings and grammar errors. I react with amusement at altered pictures. But I absolutely CANNOT stop myself from noticing.

If you are walking down the street and you notice someone is wearing a wig, is it creepy that you noticed? Or creepy that someone is wearing such a terrible wig?

Deedee

[Zylia]

I like the banter, it's not very often I post on the forums :D I hope you didn't edit that profile picture lol ;)

Nah my profile pic is purely poor lights and terrible webcam magic, and making a hundred of them until you get one in which you don't look like a dork in a wig

OMG I CHEATED

But you should post more often! I like how not nice you are ;)

[Wildaboutheels]

Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll, considering how "badly" some here want/need to "PASS", is it any wonder?

[MysticLady]

God no :eek: some of them are wayy too hot :eek: :D


You are the first woman that I've seen, that has ever commented on pictures. WOW.
Good Job:)




But you should post more often! I like how not nice you are ;)

Thing is w/ Tamara, She is the keeper of the shiny red "ban" button. I hope she doesn't have an itchy finger:heehee:

[suchacutie]

To me there is only an issue if there is some subterfuge of a personal or professional nature involved.

Other, who cares? I only wish I had enough facility with photoshop to do any quality work. But I'd rather spend the time perfecting the real me. :)

[KarenCDFL]

Honestly who cares.

I believe it is personal preference on how anyone would like to represent themselves.

I personally don't do a thing other than cropping to get all the wasted space and file size out of the image.

[Tamara Croft]

But you should post more often! I like how not nice you are ;)I'm not allowed, I get yelled at :cry:


You are the first woman that I've seen, that has ever commented on pictures. WOW.
Good Job:)I've posted on a few, just not lately... don't have the time tbh, but I do look at a lot of them :)


Thing is w/ Tamara, She is the keeper of the shiny red "ban" button. I hope she doesn't have an itchy finger:heehee:Not today ;) Infact I think I've lifted more bans lately... must be going bloody soft :eek:

[NicoleScott]

I could point you to a dozen pictures which are obviously altered, and it doesn't take a magnifying glass to see it. You don't have to stare at these pictures and analyze them pixel by pixel to notice, if you have experience at this kind of thing - which many people do. I personally find these things kind of amusing.

When I'm reading, when I run into a word that is misspelled, or misused, I am totally unable NOT to notice - it is outside my control. When I am looking at a picture that is obviously altered, I am unable NOT to notice - it is outside my control as well. What I control is how I react to it. I react badly to misspellings and grammar errors. I react with amusement at altered pictures. But I absolutely CANNOT stop myself from noticing.


Deedee, the first part reminds me of a couple of friends. Back in the days of film photography (remember?), a friend of mine enlarged and framed some of his favorite photos, and displayed them. When someone asked about a photo, he would go off into a discussion about how sharp the photo was in the corners. For him, it wasn't about the subject, but about the photography. Another friend had a great stereo system, and was near orgasmic over the clarity, but had little to say about the music. By the way, they don't put a microphone in front of a band any more. Every voice and instrument is put on a separate track and each track is perfected before being mixed. That's so we don't notice imperfections.

The second part reminds me of Monk, or maybe Kathy Bates in Misery. Or me. I have my own strange things I do, like count steps when I walk or climb stairs. Can't help it.

[Amy A]

I work professionally in Photoshop, and without floating my own boat, I could if I wanted edit my pics in ways that you'd never be able to spot. But I don't, because I don't see the point in putting up pics for people to comment on when it's not really me.

I don't have a problem with other people doing it if it makes them happy, but I would say this; most people are bad at photoshop. You only have to google 'photoshop disasters' to see that there are plenty of professionals who use it day in day out that are no good at it. So when people on here edit their photos extensively, I can spot it quite easily. I have seen faces put onto bodies, and it's quite obvious. I never comment on it, because I have no desire to make someone else feel a bit crapper. If putting up those photos helps them deal with things, or just makes them feel that little bit better, then who am I to judge.

I can still tell though :D

[Barbara Dugan]

We can do with our pics anything we want, the first picture I ever post here was a TAZZ makeover, personally I just try to find a good angle when taking a pic...sometimes I have dates with guys that I met online and I try to present myself just the way I look on the pics

[Anna Abwaerts]

Color balance, brightness is alright. Smudge tool, airbrush is ...questionable.
If I set a dating profile, I try to put some of my good ones and some not so good, so the other person gets the idea. So far it has not been rewarding, but still...
I can spot altered images, easily :) Easier on a CRT monitor, where colors are in tact and it doesnt have that LCD background lightning.
I prefer un-altered images.
Like many, I will not comment or boost the persons ego who unskillfully, unjustly altered his/hers images.

[Rebecca Watson]

I don't have a problem with other people doing it if it makes them happy, but I would say this; most people are bad at photoshop. You only have to google 'photoshop disasters' to see that there are plenty of professionals who use it day in day out that are no good at it. So when people on here edit their photos extensively, I can spot it quite easily.

I haven't really been able to tell, except when it was deliberately obvious. Do you feel it is quite common here? (Judging from the comments here, it's perhaps not so common.)

- Becky

[MysticLady]

Alright, here is my photo that's photochopped and altered. I bet you wont be able to tell the difference.:heehee:

[Marleena]

Victoria: AKtwlHV1-O8

[Lacyfem]

Nice Necklace......................:o:heehee:

Love you girl, you have a great sense of humor... this has gotten too serious

[MysticLady]

It's not worky, Marleena. BTW...the 3 stooges are cool. My wife thinks that they idiots and hates them. Goes to show what she knows:D

[GBJoker]

My first opinion is that only a fool would not use Photoshop. It's very powerful, and I'm stuck with stinking Linux GIMP Image Editor... *Pouts.*

My second opinion is this: I'm totally cool with a CD using Photoshop to alter images. Do whatever you want, free country and all that junk. And even more importantly, have some fun about this kinda thing for once. One glance at the main forums proves there needs to be more fun stuff. BUT!, on a site like this, make it clear which one is real and which one has been 'Shopped. You never know when you might have the courage to actually go hang out with some one from a website like this (for example, they providing support for your first/second outing, etc), and thus... if you've shown a 'Sopped image, and you walk up to them looking different, it's gonna mess with their minds.

Besides, and I'm probably the worst person to say this, but wouldn't you want to brag about how much you can change without using a computer?

[Rachel Morley]

How do I feel about people altering their pictures in Photoshop? I'm totally ok with it as long as it's not too excessive. Things like slimming down the waist a few inches and stretching the legs is going a bit too far IMO. With my own pics I use Photoshop to do some cropping, color correction and brightness tweaks, and usually I add a little soft focus or maybe remove the odd blemish or two. Nothing too major.

[Marleena]

It's not worky, Marleena. BTW...the 3 stooges are cool. My wife thinks that they idiots and hates them. Goes to show what she knows:D

Click the link inside the screen. It's only 5 secs. When I was a kid my friend wouldn't come out to play when they were on TV.:)

[linda allen]

Wow, this thread seems to have gotten out of hand, I suspect more than the OP intended. Lots of arguing and some posts that are close to insulting!

Well, I stated way back that I crop, improve lighting, and may remove distracting background objects, but any improvements to the subject (me) are done through clothing and makeup, not after the fact with software. It's not that I've never done that, I have, but just for my own use.

When I see a photo on this website posted by a member, I just naturally assume that this is a photo of the member, not someone else or someone's head on another body (I've done that as well, but again, for personal use only). I look at these photos as a way to "know" the poster and I also look at them to see how well members are doing at looking feminine and possibly get ideas on how I can improve my look.

One member had a necklace that I really liked so I bought a similar one. I have copied poses I've seen in member's photos because I liked them or they were more feminine than how I might naturally pose.

Anyway, there's no law or rule against extensive altering of photos or even using a photo of a female and claiming it is yours. I just hope this isn't the case. I hate to think I'm responding to a great looking thirty year old when in fact I'm responding to a "less than great looking" seventy year old.

[Alice Torn]

Zylia, I would not post any photo of mine that has bee altered. All my posted photos are unaltered, even the long legs.

[Ericaxd]

I think on a forum like this, altering photos in Photoshop (if you can) is harmless and a personal preference. Good photographers do everything possible to control exposure, lighting, etc. when making a portrait, and no one really looks like their professional photos. Enhancing an image in the computer may be no more than an extension of that. Once in a while, you'll see a photo of a professional model on the street, and while attractive, she looks little like she does in a magazine or on the runway. (I heard one Victoria's Secret model give a TED talk on the topic, and she said--I'm paraphrasing here--that those photos are a product of her looks, a skilled photographer, a stylist, and a makeup artist. They are not real.) I think motive is important here. If you want to enhance how you look on this site, fine. But--and this is a real issue--if an fashion editor uses Photoshop to say trim pounds off a model to create some feminine ideal, or a news editor manipulates an image to distort an event in some way, then we're getting into ethical and moral hot water.

[Brynn_A]

Altering a pic? I do not get the point, sepecially here. Be honrest with me and say I look like a hot mess. That only makes me better.

Linda, I agree 100%.

But Nicole? Without imperfection..how do we appreciate perfection?

[aprilgirl]

Ultimately, we all have to look at ourselves in the mirror. So no, it doesn't matter to me what I, you or anyone else does to their images.

[NicoleScott]

But Nicole? Without imperfection..how do we appreciate perfection?

Point made, but I don't want to be the standard of imperfection.

[Zylia]

Wow, this thread seems to have gotten out of hand, I suspect more than the OP intended. Lots of arguing and some posts that are close to insulting!
Well, if you can't stand the heat etc. etc., right? I was curious about other people's opinions on doctoring pics here, not necessarily about other people's opinions on my opinion on it, but I guess that's about the same thing. I didn't expect so many people to go into 'defensive' mode about their own (mostly obviously not doctored) pics as if I actually suspected them. It has become pretty clear that it's a rather 'controversial' issue. Next time I'll just leave my own opinion out of the first post :D

[Shelly Preston]

I can see why some will want to alter there pictures to show them at their best.

I dont care if anyone cuts out something they dont want seen in the background. They I am sure have good reasons for doing that.

I dont like complete deception. eg head on the wrong body.

We all like to look good so naturally select our best picture.

As for my pictures I have not altered any part of me. What you see is what you get and there are members here who will confirm that.

[Tawne]

I believe everyone has the freedom to do what makes them comfortable if that's what it takes for them to post a picture. Not everyone is born with the perfect body, some are luckier than others and some are more into going to further lengths to achieve the body they want. Personally in all my photos I use Paint.net
- cropping - Megalo filters pack
- colour balancing+ cyan +10% around beard area when I'm too lazy to shave that morning to lighten my stubble using the lasso select tool
- auto adjustment to balance overall colour/light in some situations
- Cross processing about 5% to pastel the colours to give a very slight "Instagram" effect
- Resizing to lessen filesize
- Pixelate+ blur +25% to preserve face...for now anyway

I've never did skewing to make me appear thinner though, but I do like to wear a corset most of the time :)

[Marleena]

I have cropped every photo I've ever posted here to get rid of some background. So you'll always see "edit" in the description. Other than that I just post them as is. Some of the photos have turned out great (for my expectations) while others look bad. It's kind of funny how some days I can look good and other days look like crap. I'm nearing 60 so I guess I need to expect it.:)

[NicoleScott]

I've never did skewing to make me appear thinner though, but I do like to wear a corset most of the time :)

Interesting. For those opposed to altering pics, would you also be opposed to wearing a corset to appear thinner than you are, or give you a waist you don't really have? What's the difference?
Since there are no forum requirements that avatar pics actually be the members (text, cartoons, or photos of others are OK), a little fiddling with photos seems to be a very tiny bit if deception. Deception? We're [mostly] males altering our appearance to look female.

[MysticLady]

Interesting. For those opposed to altering pics, would you also be opposed to wearing a corset to appear thinner than you are, or give you a waist you don't really have? What's the difference?

Exactly Nicole, What is the difference between us and the GG's? :straightface:

GG's just have the freedom of doing it in public....................W/O ridicule.

[Kathi Lake]

Guilty!

Ya got me. I'm actually a 300 pound black male - but I have mad Photoshop skillz!

:)

Kathi

[NathalieX66]

Same here.
I'm a master of Adobe Photoshop, I use it nearly every day at work, and I used to tweak the living daylights out of my photos, but no more.
To me, these days I show my photos of me, warts and all. .....there is no lie.
I have wrinkles, I never did hormones....I am what I am, it is what it is. I am cool with that.

However, I just want to say, for those who want to look realistically female in photos, by all means knock yourself out. It's all good.

[JaytoJillian]

I crop, color-correct and adjust brightness, but otherwise shun photo manipulation -- I think it's a better gauge of our skill and development ;) Ditto to what Julie said

[Lacyfem]

Who cares! I don't know about all of you but I've spent a lot of time in front of a closeup mirror puttingg on my makeup. I'm trying on new foundations, blush, eyeliner, different color lipsticks etc. Isn't that retouching so perhaps all pics posted should be no makeup, no wig so you are who you are. Not me! So photoshop doesn't real make a differenence, does it? Have fun and be all the women you can be!