Monday 8 April 2013

Would you - should I - Photoshop?

It's a tempting thought, especially after reading Tish's thought-provoking article: What's Age got to do with it?. Tish talks about a recent edition of the French Elle featuring women of a certain age, in this case over 60. All the women featured, from Charlotte Rampling, 67, to the Academy Award nominee Emannuelle Riva, 86, are stunning and don't hide their ages. However some of them may have had a few tweaks (Jane Fonda?) and Tish says "It's possible too that Photoshop did the tweaking".

So what has brought on these thoughts about Photoshop?  The return of my mobile phone today, and the photo that I have just uploaded.  I mentioned the purple top that I was wearing and now I can show you that top, however when I looked at the photo my double chin was very much in evidence.  Unlike the stars in Elle magazine, I'm showing my age a bit.  What if I bought Photoshop and brushed away these signs of age?


As you can see, I decided against this strategy for several reasons.

1. Any friends looking at my blog would immediately think "Sue doesn't look that good, even on her good days!"

2.  I checked the cost of Photoshop and the cheapest version seemed to be over £100.  For £100 I could buy myself a new summer dress and a bright lipstick, that would make me feel far better than trying to deceive you all

3. My own self-esteem.  I'm a great believer in making the most of yourself, no matter what age you are, but touching up a photo to make myself look better is deception.  I wouldn't feel good about deliberately trying to hide my age.

So here I am, wrinkles and all, proudly on display!

8 comments:

  1. And I agree :) lol. With age comes the grace of wisdom xoxox

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  2. Thanks, Suha. My view is that, so long as I continue to enjoy good health, I will enjoy myself and not worry too much about the advancing years. Worry lines are ageing anyway! ;-)

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  3. With age comes wisdom.. wisdom is priceless..so wrinkles or not your a wise owl and you can teach us all.

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  4. Thanks, William. However there is another saying "There's no fool like an old fool" and also "She's old enough to know better!" Hopefully though most of us do learn from our mistakes.

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  5. All well said... but a photographic tip is to have the photographer stand above you so you look up slightly to the camera, it stretches the necks little and the results can be flattering...

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  6. Thanks for the tip, Jacqui, which I read too late for today's post! My camera is ready for collection from the store in Murcia - hopefully repaired and as good as new - so John won't be having to take photos with my mobile phone after Friday.

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  7. Just found your wonderful blog and I agree with your thoughts on photoshop. I would rather spend tha money on a hat!

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  8. Thanks Style Crone. I've just been admiring your blog and your amazing hats! I wish a) that hats suited me more and b) that they didn't flatten my fine hair. I have a family wedding to attend in June but suspect that I'll be going hat-less. As always.

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