In all seriousness...with the exception of obvious artistic expression...

[Krisi]

I hope everyone realizes that some people post pictures of other people as their avatars. And of course, some avatar photos are not of the person but a stock avatar or a place or thing.

There is absolutely no way to enforce any "rule" about using software to enhance photos and it's really not a lot different than using makeup to enhance our appearance. And what about masks or breast plates? Should they be outlawed as well?

My previous avatar was of my backside, unretouched but I did use software to remove the cluttered background. Was that OK?

There was a fairly recent thread about a software program to enhance photos. The posted photos were so impressive that I purchased the software and used it to enhance photos of me from the front. One of those photos is my current avatar. It's me with my normal makeup but computer added eye makeup and skin smoothing. Is that legal? Should it be legal?

BTW: I also taped my breasts for cleavage. OK or not?

[Stacy Darling]

I think that my Avatar isn't photoshopped, I'll have to post this so I can look at it!

Anyhow, my thoughts just go toward those of us which haven't yet mastered our make-up and do wish to post a picture!

"I do recall smearing my first facial because I couldn't get a good shot!"

I suppose it comes down to the poster and their reason!
Stacy!

[Micki_Finn]

Heck, you don’t even need photoshop anymore. Nowadays you can just download any number of “filter” apps that pretty much instantaneously do what we used to rely on photoshop for. It’s practically impossible to weed out touched up pics.

[michelleddg]

Oh, good grief. Men who go to extremes to look like women probably shouldn't be too bothered about using software to enhance their electronic images. My $.02. Hugs, Michelle

[Tracii G]

I find it funny and technically we are all fake if we are using that criteria.

[Dr.Susan]

Photoshop or tons of makeup and tape, corsets, padding, wigs... It's all part of changing ourselves.

[Shelly Preston]

Note this is a personal view

I can understand why people would use photoshop to try and present themselves in the best way possible.
Also some use it to disguise who they are and that is there choice


Myself I have only ever used it to alter the background. The reason being I want it to be as real as it can be ( yes you can argue its all fake) As someone who goes out regularly in public, I don't have the advantage of photoshop out there.

Any opinion on a photoshopped pic of me would not mean anything.

[Robertacd]

I am not sure what the big deal is. If someone wants to post Photoshopped images that makes them feel better about themselves, more power to them.

Those of us who can spot the forgery will know they're phony, those that can't, won't.

[AllieSF]

...should the forum allow the posting of photoshopped pictures? Or, in other words, should the forum expect pics to accurately represent reality and not allow uploading of "fake" or "doctored" pictures?

In all seriousness, NO, for all the reasons already given here.

[Lydianne]

In almost all my picture threads, I have had to apologise for a beard rash. I think even guest traffic now knows what "unprettifyable" means :yucky:. [ Btw, I need to trademark that.. or copyright it. Whichever is correct :p ]. I once killed my at-the-time most successful thread by posting a closeup of said rash which everyone insisted they couldn't see. The thread died instantly which was a blow, but I couldn't have been prouder . So that's my philosophy on doctoring myself. It's a similar view to Diane and Shelly.

As for what others do, I struggle to see how it affects my content . I don't see why I would get upset at another member enhancing their own presentation any more than I would get upset at them enhancing their car, for example. It makes absolutely no difference to my content . Whether or not I have an accurate representation of them in my mind is neither here nor there .

- Lydianne.

[Alice B]

I am a retired professional photographer and would normally agree with you. But, this is not a photography site and reveling oneself is an individual choice. Many use charcters or other methods, or maybe rear shots or those without the face. It's all OK. It is about what we have to say or share with other members. Not how the chose their look, if any at all//

[KatrinaK]

The reality is that the vast majority of professionally shot photos (NOT just celebrities) are retouched to a certain degree. Even my normal LinkedIn headshot was retouched. Flyaway hairs... blemishes... it’s become the norm. Maybe too much so, but that’s just reality. I may have a little additional perspective on this because my wife is a world-class retoucher. Nearly everything is retouched. So I say that if it’s okay for the Victoria’s Secret Angels to have their lip line cleaned up a little, it’s okay for you.

[Teresa]

Nikki,
I guess it's up to the individual member to decide how they want to present themselves , mods can only apply the rules . I try to stick to unretouched pictures , I'm a great beleiver in saying this is the real me both in my pictures and how I dress in reality. OK GGs use makup and through certain circustances have to use a wig and falsies so there's not so much difference for me .

Also as a professional photographer working mostly before digital and PS , I had to get the lighting and pose right , The camera never lies so I had to learn how to bend the rules with technique .

[Tracii G]

The Guy Vs Girl thread would be a huge violation then.

[njcddresser]

I've written and rewritten my reply to this thread 3-4 times trying to figure out how to state my opinion. As an accomplished photographer and advanced photoshop user, I see absolutely nothing wrong, with using photoshop to produce the best photograph possible.

I wouldn't recommend using a photoshopped photograph on a site like match.com but if any of us want to tweak our photos, that is fine with me. In addition to all the typical edits that others have mentioned, I can make my boobs bigger, my waist smaller, my lips fuller, get rid of wrinkles and countless other changes if I so choose.

Think about what we do as crossdressers. We're creating an image of ourselves that is pleasing to ourselves. We put on a wig, we wear a padded bra. Perhaps a corset. All in an attempt to look better. Isn't this one in the same?

I'm sure I'll enflame a few of you. If I do, oh well. Get over it

Jackie

[LilSissyStevie]

My avatar is an actual unretouched photo of me dressed. The banjo is a 1908 A.C. Fairbanks "Whyte Laydie" No.7, BTW.

[Jodie_Lynn]

...should the forum allow the posting of photoshopped pictures? Or, in other words, should the forum expect pics to accurately represent reality and not allow uploading of "fake" or "doctored" pictures?

I would love to know why this is an issue for you.

some of us do not have your beauty or make up skills and so resort to 'fixing' their pictures. Is that a crime?

Perhaps we could expand your idea: anyone who has had any cosmetic surgery or wears coloured contact lenses should be brought to task.

Personally I really don't care if people retouch their pictures. It's their picture after all. However, I do feel that there are already enough people trying to tell others how act, how to think, and how to live. And now you want to tell folks what pictures they can and cannot post.

Again, I have to ask what your reasons are

[Lindabrown]

A really expert makeup job done on someone needs no to little PS( this is the Instagram Catfish makeup job that makes you look so much better).
I like Photoshop but I know the images may are may not be real once seen in person...
Reminds me of the guys that marry women and wakeup to the 1st time without makeup and they look totally different. they sue them and file for divorce.
Do not ban PS photos are Instagram Catfish makeup .
My aim is to be Fabulous!


Instagram Catfish makeup Boom!

https://www.crossdressers.com/forums...=1#post4226310

[DaisyLawrence]

I would love to know why this is an issue for you.

However, I do feel that there are already enough people trying to tell others how act, how to think, and how to live. And now you want to tell folks what pictures they can and cannot post.

Again, I have to ask what your reasons are

If I were a cynic (which of course I am not) it would seem to me that some may wish to stiffle the competition to increase the odds of winning. I put more about this and vanity, self validation and narcissism on the 'why you post pics' thread but that was all deleted for reasons unknown. Jodie, you are correct that there are enough people trying to tell us how to live and control us. We of all people should be grateful that we live in societies where we are free to express ourselves anyway we wish, not all parts of the world are so tolerant. In many places just viewing this forum could put you in prison. Live your lives people any way you wish and do whatever you want with your images. Just so long as you enjoy yourselves that is fine with me.

[Jodie_Lynn]

If I were a cynic (which of course I am not) it would seem to me that some may wish to stiffle the competition to increase the odds of winning. I put more about this and vanity, self validation and narcissism >SNIP<

Daisy, I AM a cynic and suspicious of people's motivations. I truly try not to be, but my background & training prevent me from turning a blind eye. And I have to say that my first impression of the OP's motive was in line with yours. But I am willing to be fair, and allow the OP to present her reasons for her position.


If she dares.........

[Tracii G]

As I said in post #24 some people think they have a right to control what others do.
Its none of their business how you live and what you do with your own property.
This site isn't a competition to see who the best CD is but I am sure to some it is because of their competitive nature.

[redtea]

I think photoshopping your image is fine. It's a tool to create the ideal image of yourself rather than sticking with reality. If you limit people from doing this then they simply won't post pictures of their non-enhanced photos on here. Same goes for people who wear a girl mask to appear more feminine, It's all freedom of expression. Although stating that it's not photoshop enhanced could be used as bragging rights if you look really good.

[MargaretJ]

I think most folk can tell where Photoshop has been used to enhance an image. I used to photoshop images when I first started on here, but other than to remove stray hairs, blemishes or makeup mistakes I don't bother now. However now and again I go to town on a pic and photoshop it, just for the fun of it. Who needs to lose weight, diet, and have perfect features, when you have photoshop.

[SaraLin]

In all honesty - what difference does it really make, and why should anyone care if someone "doctors" their pictures?

For the most part, this is pretty much an anonymous site, with users using fake names and not needing to reveal their 'true' identities. So if they feel the need to pretty-up their pictures, where's the harm, really?

as for me, I only have the one avatar picture, and it's NOT enhanced. I'm not a pretty girl and I know it. That one shot is about the best I've ever looked and it'll have to do.

The only reason I bothered to do even that much is because I find that I know it's easier to know who-said-what if there is a picture next to their post.
Having a visual image to associate with a name makes it at least seem a little more like someone I know than just another faceless name out of the many.
And while I don't post all that much, I figure I should also make it easier to see that it's me when I do.

[Maria 60]

I believe I’m ok with it,I don’t understand what the person is getting out of it. Your only fooling once self, and maybe making someone jealous.