Body Matters 2

I had a real shock when I was walking round cascades portsmouth. I saw a photo booth that had virtual plastic surgery!!! Maybe I'm making too much of a deal, but I was genuinely shocked to see that, especially with the image of a teenager's face.
We wonder why young people, (and older people alike!) have issues with their bodies, why we as humans cannot accept ourselves for how we are. I think people are so used to seeing these types of things it becomes commonplace. How is virtual plastic surgery going to make you feel better about yourself? If anything, it is going to make you feel worse. This is the same with airbrushing. How is getting rid of your natural shape going to make you feel better? I understand if for example, you are on your period and have oily skin/spots. This is a temporary problem.
I had a photoshoot in March, and I enjoyed myself, and felt for the first time in ages that I was really confident in myself. One of my very good friends from Canterbury is a whiz with graphics, and with photo artwork. She did some wonderful artwork to these photos. Some photos though, it made me feel really bad about myself.

This is the original photo from the photoshoot. I know I have some imperfections, but I was able to look past this and realise what a beautiful photo this was. It also made me realise that I should show off my legs a lot more!!! ;)

This photo was the one my friend did for me. A beautiful background, and I adore the artistic touches of the moon and music. What I don't understand though is why my hair had to be lighter, (I don't mind the blonde taken out, as it isn't natural) why I needed to not be so pale, why my face looks different, why all the fat has gone from my stomach, and why the dress has been made longer to hide my legs. This isn't me. I cannot connect with this photo. If anything it made me feel really low about myself. It showed that I wasn't good enough. It showed I wasn't acceptable. I know I sound very harsh towards my friend who did this. I didn't bring it up at the time, as I didn't want her to feel like I was throwing it back in her face. She did this for fun, and for my benefit. It is a wonderful photo, just not me.

This is the same photo as the top one, with just some artistic lighting. This I love. It is simple, yet keeps the old feel of the original photo.

This is another of her photos.

This photo she has not changed anything from the original print, but has made one of the most beautiful backgrounds I have ever seen. All she did was put some make up on my face. I feel beautiful when I see this photo. All these wonderful things around me, and I still can be a focal point of a photo.
My point though, is that we do not need airbrushing, or plastic surgery to make us beautiful. We are god's creation. This is how we are supposed to be. If we were perfect, we would be an angel up high.