Getty promotes body positivity with a ban on Photoshopped images of models
Altering models' bodies is easy enough with editing software like Photoshop. But a new French law makes such retouching — without disclosure — illegal.
As a result of that law, Getty Images released a stern announcement, effective October 1, requiring users not to submit to the company "any creative content depicting models whose body shapes have been retouched to make them look thinner or larger." If such photos are submitted, that's considered a breach of contract with the photo agency.
The law about flagging any touch-ups was passed in France in 2015 as part of an effort to curb unhealthy habits for models. (It also goes into effect October 1.) French models need to have a medical note indicating that they are in good health — and there's particular attention paid to body mass index for ultra-skinny models, according to WWD.
Breaking this law could mean up to six months in jail and a $75,000 Euro fine.
But a big caveat makes this new law less attractive: Changes to hair color, skin color, blemishes, and nose shape are still allowed in photos (and on Getty, too). Looks like we still have a ways to go before natural, healthy beauty is truly accepted.
Topics Photoshop
Sasha is a news writer at Mashable's San Francisco office. She's an SF native who went to UC Davis and later received her master's from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She's been reporting out of her hometown over the years at Bay City News (news wire), SFGate (the San Francisco Chronicle website), and even made it out of California to write for the Chicago Tribune. She's been described as a bookworm and a gym rat.
