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*RobinJ:iconRobinJ:

Robin Jeffries  

  • Status: deviantART Subscriber
  • General Digital Photographer
  • Male/United Kingdom
  • Offline for 1h 13m 47s
  • Deviant since Aug 2, 2005, 3:01 AM
  • Subscribed until Apr 16, 2009, 3:53 AM
  • 77 Deviations
  • 3 Scraps [browse]
  • 1,528 Deviation Comments
  • 297 Deviant Comments
  • 2 News Comments
  • 2 Forum Posts
  • 48,210 Pageviews

Becoming that which I despise

Journal Entry: Fri Apr 4, 2008, 3:09 AM
A revelation. It happens occassionally.

Recently I was asked by a model I've worked with before to shoot her again, this time with a friend. Normally I would be very flattered, but she added the stipulation; "but not like our last pictures. I want these to be really professional looking. you know, photoshopped..."

I was a bit stunned, but took up the challenge anyway! I ran the shoot the same way I always do, but spent 4 times as long in post-production retouching the images. I spent days researching and testing skin retouching techniques.
Well I finally sent her the CD she returned with "not bad, but I won't be using. I just look too fat!"

Fat. Curvy. Busty. Let's be honest, it's all in the eye of the beholder. I couldn't see what she was complaining about, but I've never been a fan of the waif look. So I spent more time touching up the images, smoothing out curves, eliminating any possible bulge. After all that she said they were "ok. don't give up the photoshopping, it looks great"

Now, I'm not naive. My last job was working in the imaging department of a clothing catalogue. I know what goes on before the books go to press. But I always told myself that I wouldn't get caught up in it. I would accept girls for who they are, not what they are. That somehow in my photography I would help them shine without the post-production special effects everyone raves about.

But who am I kidding. Not one of the images you see in my gallery has avoided retouching of some kind or other. And since my episode with that model I've started doing it with almost every model. Even the amazing Bec (check the gallery) who has flawless skin, underwent microscopic removal of moles and blemishes...

How did I get caught up in this? Many years ago my younger sister suffered from bulimia nervosa. Influenced by the media, magazines, and peer pressure, she starved and binged and vomited her way through her teens. I hated every magazine I saw because it featured unrealistic images of women that were far from perfection, but were ridiculously idolised by the media, driving my sister and many like her to torture themselves in pursuit of an impossible dream.

And yet here I am. Years later, getting caught up in the same charade. Have I let my sister down? Have I let myself down? Have I become that which I despised...?

  • Mood: Regretful
  • Listening to: Rise Against
  • Watching: The development of my own uncertain future
  • Eating: anything with a million calories in it
  • Drinking: Lots of decaf coffee

Devious Information

  • Current Age: 31
  • Current Residence: UK
  • Interests: Everything!!
  • Favourite movie: Ghost in the Shell
  • Favourite band or musician: Rob Dougan
  • Favourite genre of music: Chillout
  • Favourite artist: Masamune Shirow
  • Favourite poet or writer: Angelfire8376
  • Favourite photographer: John Dietrich
  • Favourite style or digital art: Anime/Manga
  • Operating System: Mac OSX
  • MP3 player of choice: iPod
  • Tools of the Trade: Nikon D70. Powerbook & Illustrator, scanner, and trusty fineliners!

Devious Comments

~aphrodite87:iconaphrodite87: 1 day 14 hours ago
aww....ty 4 the add :)
~megatigertron:iconmegatigertron: 2 days 18 hours ago
thanks a load for the watch!

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CHECK THE GALLERY!!! [link]
*RobinJ:iconRobinJ: 3 days 12 hours ago
Thank you. I hope that's extraordinary in a good way! :)
~manjk01:iconmanjk01: 3 days 18 hours ago
ur work is extraordinary!
*Bielegraphics:iconBielegraphics: May 3, 2008, 1:45:42 PM
Many thanx for the fav!

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Biele
*KnightDigital:iconKnightDigital: Apr 30, 2008, 10:56:14 AM
Thanks for the :+fav: :highfive:

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Bobby

My Site [link]
My Gallery [link]

"They that would give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Ben Franklin
*Francisgenois:iconFrancisgenois: Apr 25, 2008, 1:36:03 PM
Sublime gal!!! Too beautiful model!!!

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Please give an answer to my pool: [link]
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Sorry for my bad English, I speak French.
*RobinJ:iconRobinJ: Apr 24, 2008, 11:55:06 AM
It's a gorgeous pic. Cute but sexy - i adore that 'morning after' look... :)
~littlebabydevil:iconlittlebabydevil: Apr 24, 2008, 10:49:55 AM
awwww thanx for my :+fav: my dear, i apprichiate it!

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All that I've seen means nothing to me, with out you.
So when I see you next we'll make the most of it.
~AngelFire8376:iconAngelFire8376: Apr 18, 2008, 12:40:41 PM
miss you, hope to chat again soon. Angel ^i^

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Angel ^i^
*RobinJ:iconRobinJ: Apr 11, 2008, 3:29:45 AM
Absolutely my pleasure, I love your style.
~DanniDoll:iconDanniDoll: Apr 11, 2008, 12:52:38 AM
hi there!

thank you so much for the add!

:flirty:

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xoxo,
Danni Doll
~farriderphotos:iconfarriderphotos: Apr 9, 2008, 12:21:47 PM
Many thanks for the Fav my friend.

David

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That was a stirring reply...and while all answers are replies; not all replies are answers
*RobinJ:iconRobinJ: Apr 2, 2008, 10:43:10 AM
Many thanks, I like yours too :)
~hiddenfish:iconhiddenfish: Apr 2, 2008, 10:19:50 AM
Thank u for u know what. I like your gallery a lot :)

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prostitution
*GHIPSU:iconGHIPSU: Apr 1, 2008, 3:26:10 PM
Always is a plesure to browse a grate gallery! You are welcome!

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Life and LOVE is the most weird things in universe!
*RobinJ:iconRobinJ: Apr 1, 2008, 9:29:08 AM
Many thanks for taking the time to browse! :)
*GHIPSU:iconGHIPSU: Apr 1, 2008, 7:46:21 AM
Nice gallery!

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Life and LOVE is the most weird things in universe!
*williemann:iconwilliemann: Mar 28, 2008, 1:40:33 PM
well you are welcome and deserve all the compliments you get !
*TheBandito:iconTheBandito: Mar 28, 2008, 7:48:28 AM Mood: Wow!
Thank you for another fave, my good friend.

:manhug:

B

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:strip: :katana: :boogie: This is why sexy naked hotties will always defeat old stinky zombies More bounce...o.0.o...ounce for ounce :dead: :zombie: :furious:
*RobinJ:iconRobinJ: Mar 28, 2008, 3:59:10 AM
a-maz-ing - adjective; meaning to cause great surprise or sudden wonder :)

You flatter me far more than I deserve!
*williemann:iconwilliemann: Mar 28, 2008, 2:32:02 AM
you have some amazing work!
*nitroxdesign:iconnitroxdesign: Mar 20, 2008, 9:29:09 AM
many thanks for the :+fav:





:meditate:
*RobinJ:iconRobinJ: Mar 17, 2008, 3:24:34 AM
You can count on it! :)