Covering (up) Lena Dunham
Columnist Meghan Daum analyzes the negative comments regarding Lena Dunham's retouched photographs in Vogue magazine. Because Dunham advocates positive body images, some critics felt that by allowing the editors to digitally enhance the pictures, she contradicted her entire campaign. Daum crafts a thorough argument concerning the subject of media’s narrow beauty standards and whether retouched photographs encourage women to hide their true physical selves.
Daum mentions how the website Jezebel, one that exposes magazines who retouch models, offered $10,000 for the unedited pictures of Dunham. If a website offers thousands of dollars for a few pictures, something is wrong. This shows how media either glorifies or ridicules celebrity’s bodies, which influences how the audience views their own. Daum also references how other “regular looking” models like Melissa McCarthy and Mindy Kaling appeared on the cover during recent issues. Regular-looking ladies being featured symbolizes how body-shaming in the industry has decreased. Daum vouches “that such diversity alone is a win-win: healthy for the culture and good publicity for the magazine.” She also expresses that photoshopping the photograph is only fair, especially since cameras sometimes capture displeasing angles of the subjects. Besides, Dunham's retouched photos were "subtle" and made certain aspects "smoother."
As a woman, Daum’s outlook on the subject dilutes the harsh debates concerning body image and photoshopped images. She views Dunham's cover as refreshing and dignified, and applauds Dunham for reaching “front-cover of Vogue” status. Dunham did not sacrifice her campaign.
Daum mentions how the website Jezebel, one that exposes magazines who retouch models, offered $10,000 for the unedited pictures of Dunham. If a website offers thousands of dollars for a few pictures, something is wrong. This shows how media either glorifies or ridicules celebrity’s bodies, which influences how the audience views their own. Daum also references how other “regular looking” models like Melissa McCarthy and Mindy Kaling appeared on the cover during recent issues. Regular-looking ladies being featured symbolizes how body-shaming in the industry has decreased. Daum vouches “that such diversity alone is a win-win: healthy for the culture and good publicity for the magazine.” She also expresses that photoshopping the photograph is only fair, especially since cameras sometimes capture displeasing angles of the subjects. Besides, Dunham's retouched photos were "subtle" and made certain aspects "smoother."
As a woman, Daum’s outlook on the subject dilutes the harsh debates concerning body image and photoshopped images. She views Dunham's cover as refreshing and dignified, and applauds Dunham for reaching “front-cover of Vogue” status. Dunham did not sacrifice her campaign.