The (Photoshop) Art of Beauty

Most of us are aware that our senses are bombarded on a daily basis with images of impossible beauty; but does that knowledge make us any less susceptible to the desire to compare ourselves and others with these fantasy visions? Many of the images here have been so heavily manipulated they could claim to be art. But unlike Rubens or Michelangelo, the manipulation is neither made clear nor becomes part of the viewing experience.

Just in case you haven’t seen this Dove film, from photoshoot to billboard:

How damaging to our modern notions of beauty and our mental well-being is this onslaught of manipulation?

If you’re interested in how some of these effects are achieved, take a look at this wonderful tutorial.