Here in Britain we have one of the most retrograde governments in the modern western world, so don't give these inept idiots in power any more ammunition to suppress freedom! Our freedoms have been eroded enough through censorship, unnecessary surveillance and draconian laws that are in place to either control us or extricate money.
Fashion photography is all about illusion, dreams, aspiration. But ultimately it's there for the shifting of products, be it cosmetics, clothes, luxury items, accessories or body enhancements. If a magazine was left completely bereft of retouching, no-one would want to buy it, and magazines have enough problems these days as it is. Besides, anyone who buys these magazines does so because it is a form of escapism from the humdrum realities of life.
Personally, I dislike the "airbrush look" I prefer retouched natural, i.e, when you can still see real skin and some of the 'imperfections' and character of the models. But I do like to enhance models with some retouching, the minimum that makes them look good. Anyone who shoots models knows that only a few, very few, can get away with hardly any retouching.
So what next, ban make up too because it also conceals the real person? And lighting because it obscures and falsifies reality?
Just too keep the sandal wearing 'liberals' happy, just print a little warning inside all magazines that says: "Warning, all images inside this magazine may have been retouched and could cause mild consternation to some of our moronic readers'
Ah, the absurdity of it all!
Edward
