The Council’s Chairman, Councillor Martin Veal, is to host a special reception for a photographic project that aims to raise awareness of how images of people can be altered.
Supermodel Me is a photographic exhibition by young people in Keynsham and Time Out.
The results of their work will be on display at a special reception on Wednesday, 3rd September 2014 in the Chairman’s Room at the Guildhall in Bath.
Cllr Veal (Con, Bathavon North) said: “The aim of the project is to raise awareness that often the images we see in the media are not true likenesses of the people photographed.
“The project shows how these images can be altered and aims to help others understand the pressure these images can have on how people view themselves and their appearance.”
The “Supermodel Me” project brief was to take “before and after” photos of young people who were willing to be photographed and had gained parental consent.
One image shows them as they are now with no adjustments, digital or cosmetic enhancements. The second is a “supermodel me” portrait after make-up and hair styling by other young people.
The third image shows how ‘digital perfection’ can be achieved through clever photo-editing and copying techniques used by some of the commercial media and entertainment industry.
Cllr Veal added: “The project’s use of these ‘before and after’ portraits is to raise understanding and awareness that often the pictures you see of people in glossy magazines and advertising have been digitally augmented and are not a ‘true’ likeness of the person portrayed.
“The young people involved in this project want others to understand the pressure that these images can have on how we view ourselves and the way we look and to help build a greater sense of self-esteem and acceptance of body image.”
Mark Willcox, a Keynsham youth worker who was involved in the project, said: “Supermodel Me shows how the media can alter images of celebrities, especially in advertising. This can create unreal expectations for young people to live up to, especially young women.
“We think this is not acceptable. Young women around the world are trying to copy these unrealistic images. This creates unnecessary pressure in their lives and can sometimes lead to anxiety problems, low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
“The message we want to put across in this project is: “don’t forget to love your natural self. It’s important to show that what you see in some magazines is not real.”
