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by VSerge 1201 days ago
If you have to be a photographer to see the changes (and the focus on jaws is just so odd), and you won't notice the difference if you are just a regular Joe/Jane, then what purpose do these alterations serve? As a non-photographer, apart from the photo with the strangely big jaw "fix", I can safely say I would be incapable to a) see there is a difference and b) say which image is supposed to be more beautiful.
2 comments
0_____0 1201 days ago
The visibility of a design choice to a layperson does not affect its value. In photo editing, the fact that these changes are invisible to you is valuable, and desirable.

Our experiences in the human world are shaped by millions of tiny, and often invisible design decisions. We could surmise that a decision is invisible to us and thus meaningless, or we could practice a bit of humility and attempt to see and understand what work was done there, and how it affects us.

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lostlogin 1200 days ago
> The visibility of a design choice to a layperson does not affect its value.

Isn't that the exact point of the change, to increase value to potential buyers? These aren't magazines for experts.

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0_____0 1200 days ago
Your comment and mine are compatible.
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psychphysic 1201 days ago
I think you're barking up the wrong tree here.

The cover is not intended to be analysed in great detail. It's wholly a subconscious process.

And certainly narrowing a jaw slightly will be aesthetically pleasing on a woman.

Think of it like a slightly out of tune piano key. Used during a single song. Is it really noticeable? Not to many, will it be a better recital if it was intune? Certainly.

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JohnFen 1200 days ago
> And certainly narrowing a jaw slightly will be aesthetically pleasing on a woman.

Maybe?

Doesn't what's aesthetically pleasing change from person to person? For instance, I don't find most people on magazine covers to be all that aesthetically pleasing -- but I am also aware that there are many who do.

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psychphysic 1200 days ago
There's a whole other set of niche magazines for people who like their women square jawed[0].

[0] https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1OWqz5FMEY0

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