The Grauniad wrote: Germany's most popular women's magazine is banning professional models from its pages and replacing them with images of "real life" women instead.
In what is seen as the latest attempt to stamp out the "size zero" model, the editors of Brigitte said it would in future only use women with "normal figures".
"From 2010 we will not work with professional models any more," said Andreas Lebert, editor-in-chief, adding that he was "fed up" with having to retouch pictures of underweight models who bore no resemblance to ordinary women.
"For years we've had to use Photoshop to fatten the girls up," he said. "Especially their thighs, and decolletage. But this is disturbing and perverse and what has it got to do with our real reader?"
[on edit] Part of a trend. There has been legislation about models introduced in France and there are movements against ultra-thin imagery in Italy.
If the owner's of the magazine decide on a shift of direction, they can do whatever they want. Why not? When announcements like that are made, they are often done in haste and the report may only be an edited version of the original policy. The only way to know exactly what the policy is would be by a more thorough explanation. I paid a guy to help me restore a car, but he wasn't a professional car detailer. Professional doesn't necessarily mean solely being paid.
Doug Swinskey wrote: some low level publication in germany wanting to cut costs... insignificant.
I think your American chauvinism is showing. Women's magazines are big business and that is the biggest one in Germany, and hence one of the biggest in Europe. Hardly insignificant, though it is unlikely to ripple your hair.
Further, it is part of a trend composed of related actions by a number of other agencies and entities. It is not isolated.
I hope it is a cost-cutting measure. But, I resent the fact that they may be playing it as a politically correct/people pleasing move. I mean, come on! Some women think they need to see more positive images of themselves, but soon as someone features 'real life' women in the publication, sales and advertisement will be dropping like flies.
Sounds like a problem with casting more than anything. I guess all those commercial models selling toothpaste, life insurance, etc. aren't "professionals"
Why aren't commercial models who come in all shapes, sizes, colors, ages being embraced as some ideal vision of "real" people?
Photography by BE wrote: Well, if they replace them with regular people, then aren't those regular people actually professional models? Or at least will become professional.
That's the first thing I thought of after reading the OP. And why are they equating "professional models" only with waif-like professional models? Maybe something's been lost in the German-to-English translation? But then, there's that part about artificially plumping up thighs. I also call bullshit on that one. As far as a model's breasts go, plumping them up isn't confined to pro models without much on their chests. Lotsa digitally plumped-up chest puppies right here, in MM ports.
I think your American chauvinism is showing. Women's magazines are big business and that is the biggest one in Germany, and hence one of the biggest in Europe. Hardly insignificant, though it is unlikely to ripple your hair.
Further, it is part of a trend composed of related actions by a number of other agencies and entities. It is not isolated.
Not insignificant, but I bet they'll drive themselves into insignificance. There is a certain look that people want to see (because people aspire to look a certain way) and I'll bet they either have to pander to that look which will mean they'll end up paying the models - making the whole thing moot, or they'll just lose readership.
Robert Randall wrote: The announcement is a grab at publicity, the fattening PS comment is pure BS.
Agreed. Now the day I see an average man (forty pounds overweight, balding, with a farmers tan) on the cover of a magazine I will believe the movement is real.
Germany's most popular women's magazine is banning professional models from its pages and replacing them with images of "real life" women instead.
Germany's most popular women's magazine is read by less than 1% of the worlds population... so we're lookin at billions of people who don't give a rats ass... myself included...
Justin Foto wrote: Not insignificant, but I bet they'll drive themselves into insignificance. There is a certain look that people want to see (because people aspire to look a certain way) and I'll bet they either have to pander to that look which will mean they'll end up paying the models - making the whole thing moot, or they'll just lose readership.
I'll also bet, once they start using heavier models, they'll start using those same post techniques they're using to plump-up thighs and decolletage to reduce and slim-down various curves, bumps, and such.
"We suck balls, and can't afford to do anything good anyhow, so we're going to try to bang the 'suckiness is actually awesome and more moral to boot' drum, and maybe our suckiness will in fact work to our advantage."
Perhaps they should also stop using professional photographers and retouchers as well... then everyone on MM would be able to be a pro by not being a pro...or something to that effect.
I wonder if when they are doing castings for these new "non-models" if they're advertising it as TF* LOL
Select Models wrote: Germany's most popular women's magazine is read by less than 1% of the worlds population... so we're lookin at billions of people who don't give a rats ass... myself included...
I'll also bet, once they start using heavier models, they'll start using those same post techniques they're using to plump-up thighs and decolletage to reduce and slim-down various curves, bumps, and such.
Yeah and swiftly gain the record for most entries into photoshopdisaters.com
Monito -- Alan wrote: "From 2010 we will not work with professional models any more," said Andreas Lebert, editor-in-chief, adding that he was "fed up" with having to retouch pictures of underweight models who bore no resemblance to ordinary women.
My guess is that it's to save money, and that they'll also start using non-professional photographers for even more "real life" images.
"Think of the exposure!" will be their recruiting slogan.
JLark wrote: Perhaps they should also stop using professional photographers and retouchers as well... then everyone on MM would be able to be a pro by not being a pro...or something to that effect.
I wonder if when they are doing castings for these new "non-models" if they're advertising it as TF* LOL
Good point. Maybe they should stop using professional editors as well.
It says on their website that they will pay the women they decide to work with the same amount they'd pay a professional model. (Well, editorial doesn't pay much anyhow.)
As for where they draw the line if someone is a professional model or not, on the application form the applicant has to state that she is not represented by a modeling agency, but that's all I could find out.
"With 82 million inhabitants, Germany accounts for the largest population among the member states of the European Union. It is a major power with the world's fourth largest economy by nominal GDP and the fifth largest in purchasing power parity. It is the largest exporter and second largest importer of goods. In absolute terms, Germany allocates the second biggest annual budget of development aid in the world, while its military expenditure ranked sixth."
rp_photo wrote: My guess is that it's to save money, and that they'll also start using non-professional photographers for even more "real life" images.
"Think of the exposure!" will be their recruiting slogan.
Or they'll lift pics from FlickR and "forget" to ask for permission or to pay for the rights.
If they're one of the biggest, then they probably don't need to save money. I think it is simply to show that you don't have to weigh as much as your little brother to be beautiful. Maybe I believe this because I weigh more than my little brother..but regardless, I think this is a brilliant idea! I wish more magazines would do this!
I doubt there are too many magazines anywhere who aren't feeling the economic pinch.
I don't know...I read the entire thread after I posted my feelings, and even after reading that, I still believe its because girls are becoming anorexic, getting fake parts, etc etc because the media told us that's what everyone likes. That's not true at all. I just think that magazine hopes other companies will catch on to this, and soon enough, girls and guys will feel better about themselves. Afterall...
"You don't have to be perfect to be beautiful!" (That's the statement I live by!)
"With 82 million inhabitants, Germany accounts for the largest population among the member states of the European Union. It is a major power with the world's fourth largest economy by nominal GDP and the fifth largest in purchasing power parity. It is the largest exporter and second largest importer of goods. In absolute terms, Germany allocates the second biggest annual budget of development aid in the world, while its military expenditure ranked sixth."
Go to school. Read a book.
OOO look at "The One With NO Humor." If you want to discredit my amusing post, why don't you find the actual circulation of the magazine, not the population of Germany.
Go to school. Learn READING COMPREHENSION.
Did you even bother to read the quote I was responding to?
OOO look at "The One With NO Humor." If you want to discredit my amusing post, why don't you find the actual circulation of the magazine, not the population of Germany.
Go to school. Learn READING COMPREHENSION.
Did you even bother to read the quote I was responding to?
I congratulate you on your profound sense of humour.
If a "non professional" model looks really really good, and perhaps even thin, will she be discriminated against?
Models are professional for a reason. How many here have shot non-professional models who couldn't get a decent look to save their life *raises hand*. Now the production crew has the extra burden of coaching inexperienced models on a daily basis?
The magazine will pay the same rates? Ohhhhh yeah, see how long that lasts. Way, way back in the day I was a sports model. I landed a few jobs without representation then got smart and went through an agency. Suddenly companies that would call me on the phone whining about a low budget and how they could only afford $xxx dollars were now paying $xxxx.
Sounds more like a cost cutting measure grandstanded as political correctness.
