Editing in Progress

I developed this piece as a part of my portfolio focused on toxic societal norms that negatively affect our self-confidence. As an avid social media user, I constantly see people posting flawless selfies and pictures flaunting their toned physiques. However, I also just as often see comments under these posts that say, “look at how the background warps” or “she must have Photoshopped herself.” Familiarizing myself with Photoshop allowed me to realize how easy it was to warp reality. I could flatten my stomach and slim down my broad shoulders by dragging my mouse across the screen. Using the spot-healing brush, I could remove acne scars from my face. This piece highlights how many of our insecurities stem from unattainable ideals. It emphasizes how editing through applications such as Photoshop fuels toxic beauty standards and reinforces the unrealisticness of these norms.

Aven

Irvine High School

California