Gransnet forums

Everyday Ageism

Photoshop addiction

(39 Posts)
Nata Tue 10-Mar-20 08:31:21

My grandchildren (two teen girls of 14 and 16 y.o.) spend a lot of time on their social networks and constantly improve their profile pictures in order to look better. They even managed to find some wrinkles on their young faces and not they can't post or even send to me a picture without changing it somehow in Photoshop. I tried to explain them that there is nothing wrong with them and there is nothing wrong in getting older whatsoever but they wouldn't listen to me. Have you faced the same problem? My sonm their dad, thinks it is a "period" for them while I'm afraid it may led to huge problems with insecurity in the future (if not already).

phoenix Mon 11-May-20 17:18:38

I commented on something posted on Facebook recently, in that a certain picture was obviously photo shopped. Boy did I get a roasting! Comments like "Its an Instagram filter, my daughter is beautiful inside and out, unlike you, you judgmental b*tch" shock

My comment was along the lines of why should young women feel the need to portray themselves as completely "unlined"? You smile, you laugh.

This particular photo portrayed a "China doll" face, i.e. not a line anywhere!

I also stated that photos of that type set unobtainable standards, which could make other young women feel like a failure.

But if they are all using these filters??

Still think it's wrong!

jeanie99 Mon 11-May-20 15:57:47

There at an age when young people try new things, editing images isn't something I would be concerned about.
I wouldn't worry about it, by next year there will be something else.

Smurf44 Wed 11-Mar-20 09:02:04

Marydoll. Thanks for the tip about putting * before and after a name. Like Nata I have been using the @ symbol as instructed and also found that didn’t work.

So this is a test message to see if the * works. Hopefully I can remember this until my next post!

AnnyNanny Wed 11-Mar-20 08:14:10

doodledog said it right, photoshop requires some knowledge and one must be a huge pro in this field to edit the photos like they've been taken from the magazine cover. I bet they just apply filters and the stuff. I used photodiva service to smooth my skin for some time but it wasn't photoshopping. maybe your gds do the same and if they really use photoshop then congrats! they can develop their skills to make good money out of it in the future.

Farmor15 Wed 11-Mar-20 05:42:47

Post from 2mason16 gave me an idea, nata. Why not ask your grandchildren to take a few photos of you and get them to show you how to alter them to take out all the wrinkles etc (I assume you have a few shock). It might be fun for you, but they might also see how silly it is, (or not). Basically "if you can't beat them, join them".

2mason16 Wed 11-Mar-20 04:35:25

My 15 yr old GDD loves using photoshop with me! We just treat it as a bit of fun and it's nice to see the wrinkles disapear. She has used lots of apps including 'dogs ears' and 'long tongues' Last Christmas we had some hilarious photos. She has moved onto something else now - so just treat it as a bit of fun.

Baloothefitz Wed 11-Mar-20 00:03:44

Nata I do agree with you that they don't need to alter their beautiful fresh faces,but they all do ,so what can we do !

Shizam Tue 10-Mar-20 20:08:49

When I look back on the few photos I have of myself when young, can’t believe how good I looked. At the time I thought I was hideous. Guess they now have the technology to alter that stupid vision young people have of themselves. And hopefully with time will learn eventually to love themselves.

GreenGran78 Tue 10-Mar-20 19:18:56

My little granddaughter is working on her pout. It’s not quite there yet!

TrendyNannie6 Tue 10-Mar-20 15:23:32

sign of the times I’m afraid, they all seem to be doing it, thanks to Instagram etc, it’s the pouty images that make me smile, and not just the young ones either, must admit some make me cringe, but hey, they seem to enjoy it,

Jani Tue 10-Mar-20 15:14:56

Dear Nata - you sound lovely - I am a bit like you I don’t reply very often but do read all your messages - which are normally very helpful. I have 10 grandchildren - all different - 6 boys and 4 girls - the girls are the ones that like doing selfies best - as do they grow out of it ? Well I don’t think they do as they have grown up with it - it’s just they don’t seem to do it so often. I also hate having my photo taken - maybe it’s because we didn’t grow up with the selfie era - I say as long as they are kind, loving people and not sending selfies to strange websites let them be - even my 5 year old granddaughter wants to do it with the others - although it is very funny to see her trying to pout like the others. I can’t do it I look really strange! Good luck .

Henny2020 Tue 10-Mar-20 14:30:15

There are NO photos of me in existence aged 14-16. I hid from cameras, or sulked (because I hated my smile) I would have loved to have Instagram filters at that age! I think it would have given me more confidence - however it was not very likely in the days of Kodak Brownie cameras......

Doodledog Tue 10-Mar-20 13:24:46

Photoshop?

If they are competent in that when they are that age, they are doing very well.

In my experience most people use filters on their phones to tweak photos, if they are going to doctor them. I don't bother (I'm beyond help grin), but it only takes one click of an app that is free on pretty much any phone.

Photoshop is expensive and involves a fair bit of specialist knowledge to use effectively. I would be encouraging them, personally.

Nata Tue 10-Mar-20 13:11:59

Oh, ladies, thank you for so many answers and support! I hope it will be fine with the girls and they will get tired of it soon AND I definitely will help them with self care and will drop the hints here and there that they look so much better when natural! Thank you!

anxiousgran Tue 10-Mar-20 12:38:14

What’s with the pouty thing young women do? I always finding it a bit embarrassing when I see it.

I tried it in the mirror and my thin old lips looked like a dog’s bottom ?

sweetcakes Tue 10-Mar-20 12:32:57

It's when the mums start Photoshopping the babies and posting them on Facebook, what's next I wonder.

Kalu Tue 10-Mar-20 12:18:22

GD, 14 is going through this stage too suddenly, even the pouting lips look! All sharing these photos. She thankfully appears to be fed up with it now along with her close peer group.

I think this is a stage many teenage girls go through as they are still being told, when menstruating begins, you are a woman now!

I’ve had chats with GD explaining what she sees in the mirror and in photos isn’t her true image as she herself has said when seeing photos of me has said, that just doesn’t look like you Granny. Showing her photos of celebs, minus make up, was an eye opener as many looked better without the makeup mask.

I’m afraid it is just a very sad sign of the times when our young girls are bombarded via social media with so many so called ‘celebs’ held up as roll models.?

Moth62 Tue 10-Mar-20 12:15:41

marydoll my advice is not to worry about the wedding photos. The smile on your face for the whole day will be the best beauty treatment ever and ensure you will look gorgeous! It’s a shame that young ones can’t laugh and enjoy life more, thus giving them the same free beauty treatment

HillyN Tue 10-Mar-20 12:00:39

When you see them, I would just comment casually that you much prefer their actual faces to the ones in the pictures.
On the plus side, they now understand that images they see of models, celebrities etc are photoshopped and nobody looks that perfect in real life!

Phloembundle Tue 10-Mar-20 11:51:41

You won't get them to accept themselves for the way they are and twas ever thus. There is even more pressure on them now with social media. Hopefully, the wisdom of maturity will help them one day.

anxiousgran Tue 10-Mar-20 11:47:58

My niece posted pictures of herself on Facebook, pouty, very made-up and airbrushed. I didn’t like it, she looks so much better natural.

My DB (her dad) hadn’t seen them as he isn’t on her Facebook friends. I only mentioned it casually, thinking he’d have seen them. He was a bit put out.

I do think it is a phase and very common. I wouldn’t mention it to my niece, she wouldn’t take any more more notice of me than I would have of my parents as a teenager.

polnan Tue 10-Mar-20 11:46:12

yes, it is the way of the world now.

my eldest gs, had a gf,, now no longer... and she wouldn`t be seen without her false eyelashes, heavy makeup, and hair additions... how sad is it ? and a lot more goes on that that...
boobs.?

MarieEliza Tue 10-Mar-20 11:45:24

I have a granddaughter who is almost 13 in Tasmania and she has just started taking interest in her appearance but thankfully the high school has so many activities for adolescents that she is now pouring her energies into rowing and music so she isn’t obsessed about her face and figure. Hope Tasmania doesn’t become like so many other places where appearance is the be all and end all

Nata Tue 10-Mar-20 11:38:58

Yeah, I know it is OK and I also don't feel happy all the time when I see myself in the picture. But to my mind the idea that we should accept ourselves as we are is very important. You can't always hide behind the photoshop, can you?

Marydoll Tue 10-Mar-20 11:28:13

I always try NOT to be in photos! My daughter is getting married in two weeks and I'm dreading the taking of photos.