My topic of research is focussed on body image and social media. I found this so interesting and wanted to share it on my blog....
Loose Women Body Stories Campaign
I am posting this blog in module 3, however I wrote this during my hotel quarantine after coming home from red list Brasil on the 17th of May 2021. Since choosing my topic of ‘How does social media effect a professional dancers body image”, with such a relevant, poignant subject in the 21st century with the boom and obsession with social media I am regularly seeing articles and information all the time about social media, editing photos and body image. Which is highlighting how big of an issue in the 21st century this is becoming!
The campaign poster shows all the loose women looking happy and confident in their natural bodies in various swimming costumes and bikinis, showing diversity and inclusion. Its what I would describe a ‘real’ looking photo.
Plymouth Live, 2021. Loose Women Body Stories Campaign. [image] Available at: <https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/loose-women-viewers-call-panellists-5423572> [Accessed 21 May 2021].
“The images of the stunning group were digitally manipulated to show how filters can change a shot and to help highlight the realities of social media images, four years on from the original campaign” Farmer, C., 2021
“Research surrounding the project shows that 9 in 10 young women are editing their pictures, with many 'depressed' that they cannot live up to ideals. Further research showed that a third of girls won't post a selfie without a filter, while unrealistic standards of beauty have been found to be bad for mental health.” Farmer, C., 2021
Farmer, C., 2021. Loose Women Body Stories RETURNS! Panellists strip off for campaign. [online] Mail Online. Available at: <https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-9587317/amp/Loose-Women-Body-Stories-RETURNS-Panellists-strip-campaign.html> [Accessed 17 May 2021].
The ladies spoke about their experience putting themselves in a some-what vulnerable position and baring their bodies to the public. They were then asked to edit their own bodies by using an application and all were shocked how easily you could change your appearance in such a short period of time “We can edit images from our pockets”. Some of the L.W said they enjoyed it but others preferred their natural looking selves and were disturbed!
They mentioned how plastic surgeons used to get clients bring in photos of celebrities showing what they would like to ‘look’ like and now they bring in edited photos of their own faces.
People get upset as they don’t live up to their own high expectations after always viewing edited and filtered images of themselves and it can have detrimental effects on their confidence and body image.
This made me raise some questions …
Are people aware that the images online are edited or not?
Is it addictive to edit and filter images?
How many people edit their images / appearance online
…
I would love to know your opinion on this topic
Great post, and a very relevant subject matter regardless of having to study it for your M3. I think it is defiantly something that hasn't really been spoken about much before, however i do think that nowadays and at least within the last few years, there are lot more "INFLUENCERS" ( i personally hate that word but its the only one i can think of to use in this description) have started to call out the editing, or the "unrealistic" body images that young people look at so often. Although i'm not sure how much these instagramers do it because they believe it, or they are just trying to get content? who knows? The other problem we have is the reality shows such as love island or certain dating shows! Now i'm not saying the people on there don't work hard for their appearance, but you would never see someone who is slightly larger than the others in there, as they just wouldn't get as much following! Or am i just old and cynical?
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing this campaign, and it's similar to the dove campaign. And i think its great!
That's such a valid point that I've never thought about before! What if the influences do this to get more followers and likes as they know people will relate to their posts more or are they doing it purely to just raise awareness!
ReplyDeleteI agree all the girls and guys who go onto these programmes have a certain look and body type so that's true! I agree with this comment!
Yes the dove campaign is also one I have researched and all the work they do for positive body image!
Love this blog Emily!
ReplyDeleteI really like this photo of the loose women ladies, all looking confident and happy, as every women should be. I know I have mentioned it before, but I think social media has a massive impact on ladies self-confidence. When I did my final cruise contract, I felt the happiest in my own body. But I actually haven't posted anything on Instagram or Facebook for over a year now because I don't like the pressure that comes with it. I certainly don't look how I used to look when I was dancing so intensely everyday.
I am so excited to hear about where this research takes you!
Hi Alice such great points its funny I felt that way during covid as I felt like my body changed and I wasn't as confident and that made me not want to share my photos! But why do we put this pressure on ourselves! But like you said confident and happy like every women should be!! Why does this not apply to us!
DeleteThis is such a great topic of inquiry and I'm really looking forward to hearing more about your research! I have many friends that have left the world of social media because they couldn't handle it and other people who love to stay connected and see what other people are up to! I have to admit, I was very naive when it came to knowing about these editing apps, I honestly thought insta filters were about it but no... there's many an app to photo edit and change the image. Are you looking at the snapchat story filters at all? I know that they brought up quite a few conversations which reflected badly on social media. Looking forward to reading more x
ReplyDeleteOooo thanks for the heads up I am not on snap chat but I will certainly research into this! I too was quite naive about all the editing apps people use until I followed a body positive person on social media who can I say "calls out the crap" and exposes how people curate their images!! It's scary!!! I too sometimes wish I could cut social media out as I find it too time consuming but I also love how it's such a good tool for communication!!
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